Preparing for a Vacation With Children? These 25 Items Will Help Reduce Travel Anxiety for You and Your Family
Traveling with a family can be an exciting yet challenging experience. To make your journey smoother and more enjoyable, we've curated a list of travel essentials that are often recommended for a stress-free family trip. While this list is not an exact replica of a BuzzFeed article, it is inspired by common BuzzFeed-style recommendations and general family travel tips.
- Packing Cubes – For organized and easy-to-find clothes.
- Portable Charger/Power Bank – To keep devices charged on the go.
- Reusable Water Bottles – Eco-friendly and cost-saving.
- Travel-Sized Toiletries – Convenient for airports and hotels.
- First Aid Kit – For minor emergencies and scrapes.
- Snacks – Non-perishable snacks to keep kids happy between meals.
- Travel Games and Activity Books – To keep kids entertained during transit.
- Comfortable, Weather-Appropriate Clothing – Including extras just in case.
- Child Carrier or Stroller – Essential for younger children.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones or Earbuds – Helps kids focus or nap.
- Travel Pillow and Blanket – For naps and comfort on planes or cars.
- Sunscreen and Bug Spray – To protect from sun and insects.
- Important Documents Organizer – Passports, tickets, IDs, insurance.
- Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer – For quick clean-ups.
- Portable High Chair or Booster Seat – Makes dining with toddlers easier.
- Travel Laundry Bag – To keep dirty clothes separate.
- Extra Ziplock Bags – For snacks, wet clothes, or small items.
- Camera or Smartphone with Extra Storage – To capture memories.
- Travel Apps or Maps Downloaded Offline – Helpful in areas with no internet.
- Kids’ Favorite Blanket or Toy – Comfort item for sleeping away from home.
- Travel Insurance – For peace of mind on unexpected events.
- Cash in Local Currency – For places that don’t accept cards.
- Universal Travel Adapter – Compatible with different countries’ outlets.
- Baby Formula and Bottles (if needed) – For feeding infants.
- Lightweight Backpack or Daypack – For day trips and outings.
In addition to these essentials, there are several innovative products designed specifically for family travel. Here are some notable examples:
- A bendable phone holder can be attached to a seat or propped up on its own, and is popular for air travel due to its ability to hook onto tray tables.
- A foldable potty converter is provided to prevent toddlers from plopping into the toilet, and comes with stabilizing feet to keep them from sliding around.
- Wired children's headphones are provided to allow children to watch shows without disturbing others, and come with a loudness limiter to protect their hearing.
- A Tide To-Go pen is provided to remove stains that may occur during travel, and helps prevent marks from setting into clothes.
- Leakproof sippy cups are provided to prevent spills and messes, and require some tilting and suction power to drink from.
- The baby carrier is a multi-functional product that can also serve as a bag to carry necessities hands-free.
- The reusable activity book contains a variety of games for siblings or solo play, with instructions or guides for each activity.
- The walkie talkies have a good range, allowing children to communicate with each other or parents even when they are far apart.
- A stroller mosquito net is provided to protect babies from bites and rogue leaves, and can be stretched out over a crib or carrier to keep them safe in any situation.
- The lap tray for a child features a dry-erase board top, a tablet stand, pockets for pens and toys, and straps to attach to a booster seat.
- A bright stroller bag is offered with a blank name box, and is water-resistant and thick enough to protect the push chair from scuffs and scratches.
- Boogie Wipes are gentle on children's noses and are packed with natural saline, making them suitable for wiping away crusties and helping with congestion in different climates.
- The snack container tower has individual containers with their own lids, helping to keep snacks organized and preventing them from crumbling.
- A pair of waterproof bags are available for storing wet clothes or bathing suits, and can be machine-washed between uses.
- The sun canopy provides shade for the family during extended outdoor activities and can be zipped up to create a fully private tent.
- The travel neck pillow doubles as a cuddly dino-shaped toy when not in use for sleeping.
- The inflatable pillow can be adjusted to three different height levels, allowing children to stretch out their legs or adults to prop up their feet.
- Motion sickness bracelets are offered to help ease queasiness during travel by pressing on a pressure point, and do not cause drowsiness.
- A thick belt is available to strap a car seat to a suitcase, and is strong enough to keep the seat attached when the child is sitting on it, allowing the parent to pull them when they are tired of walking.
- The family travel wallet can fit up to four passports and has multiple storage compartments for cards, a pen holder, key ring, and boarding passes.
- A portable mat with a built-in pillow is available for diaper changes on-the-go, and comes with straps for attaching to a stroller or wrist, and pockets for diapers, wipes, and creams.
- A multipurpose canopy cover is available for privacy while breastfeeding, and can also be used to cover a stroller or baby carrier to block out light during nap time.
- An iPad case is offered to protect the device from toddler throws and tantrums, and comes with a stand for flat surfaces and a strap for car use.
These additional items are designed to make family travel not only more convenient but also more enjoyable. For the exact BuzzFeed recommended list, we recommend checking their official travel or family sections on their website. If you'd like, we can also help tailor a packing list based on the ages of children or the type of trip you're planning!
- Consider adding a bendable phone holder to your travel essentials for secure device viewing during flights, ensure easy access without disturbing others.
- To keep young children entertained during transit and outdoor activities, consider purchasing a reusable activity book packed with multiple games for siblings or solo play.
