Traveling can be stressful, especially when you are going with kids. Between crowds, weather delays, and other factors, you can easily be frustrated on the road – whether you are driving or flying. Luckily, some travel products can definitely make travel a little easier for families. Here are our favorite travel products for families on the go.
Disclosure: This favorite travel products post contains affiliate links. We may earn commission through a purchase/click-through. These products have been independently selected by us. We have received some of these over the years for purposes of review, but all opinions are my own.
Favorite Travel Products For Families on the Go
CARES
CARES by Kids Fly Safe was one of the first travel products I purchased for a family vacation (I later received a complimentary one). Developed by a grandmother, it’s an FAA-approved harness that can be used for kids over the age of one.
We loved using CARES when my kids were little because you won’t have to worry about using the car seat on the plane. We used ours when visiting Walt Disney World because we didn’t need to travel with the car seats.
It’s easy to pack in your suitcase and it is much more convenient to install on a plane than a car seat.
You can purchase it at Amazon.
BubbleBum
If your kids are in booster seats, the BubbleBum device can be a great alternative to traveling with a regular booster. The BubbleBum is inflatable, so it’s easy to tuck into a suitcase. Then, when you arrive at your destination, you can just blow it up and use it in your rental car.
As a bonus, the BubbleBum is good to have on hand at home. You’ll be able to use it as a spare booster when carpooling. We used ours so much when my kids were younger.
You can purchase BubbleBum at Amazon.
Packing Cubes
You’ve probably heard raves about using packing cubes, but until you try them, it’s hard to know what all the fuss is about. Packing cubes can make travel so much easier and are one of my favorite travel products.
With packing cubes, you can assign a color of cubes to each family member. Roll or gently fold each item in the cubes. You can either choose to put all of one item (like shirts, for example), in one set of cubes. Or, you can put together specific outfits.
When we visited London and Paris last year, I set up specific outfits. Then, when I unpacked, I only needed to unpack what I needed. You can put the cubes directly into the hotel drawers.
As a bonus, packing cubes compact the clothes, so you’ll be able to fit more in your suitcase. I remember purchasing different colors for each member of your family.
You can find lots of different packing cubes on Amazon.
AirTags
While AirTags won’t necessarily prevent your bags from being lost, they are a great way to keep track of where they are. After our bags were lost twice last year, AirTags helped us identify exactly where they were.
If you purchased your AirTags a while ago, it’s a good idea to check the battery. They can be replaced but do run out after a year or so.
Airpods / Noise-Cancelling Headphones
I love listening to music or movies on flights. It’s a great way to tune out everything that is going on around you. While I did stop using noise-canceling headphones when my kids were younger (so I could hear them), I’ve now happily returned to wearing them.
I have the AirPod Pros, and I love how they cancel noise and also have a transparency setting so you can hear more around you. If you have an iPhone, you can also charge your device while listening, which can be a big benefit on longer flights.
You can buy AirPod Pro headphones on Amazon.
Airfly
So you have wireless headphones and are on a plane – how do you use the in-flight entertainment system? This Airfly device has you covered. Just sync with your Bluetooth wireless headphones, and plug the device into the in-flight entertainment. Then, you can listen on your device, without worrying about cords.
Airfly will also work with your personal computer, so you use can your wireless devices with that. It comes with a small travel pouch, a cord to plug into a headphone jack, and a USB cord for charging.
You can buy the Airfly on Amazon.
RFID Travel Wallet
When I have a lot of travel documentation to bring with me, I like to use a travel wallet. An RFID-blocking travel wallet serves a dual purpose because it keeps things organized and secure with anti-theft technology.
Look for one that holds your passport, boarding passes, credit cards, and other documentation. I like this one from Amazon because it holds multiple passports and comes in a few different colors. The open pocket in the back is great for a boarding pass so you can quickly grab it.
Portable Charger
With so many great travel apps available, you’ll probably be using your phone constantly. Because of that, you may need to charge your phone throughout the day. I never travel without my portable charger.
There are hundreds of different types of chargers available to use, but I’ve always loved my myCharge charger. It comes with all of the cords that you need, so it’s easy to just pop in your bag.
Regardless of which portable charger you choose, make sure that it’s fully charged before you leave the house so it’s all set to go. You’ll also want to ensure that it’s ok for airline travel.
Find the myCharge charger on Amazon.
Water Bottle
One of my key traveling accessories is a water bottle. So many hotels, attractions, and airports are offering refill stations, making it easy to stay hydrated on the go.
Just remember that only empty water bottles are TSA-approved for going through security, so you’ll need to fill them up once you pass security. I like these lightweight bottles that are super thin and easy to fill. Find them on Amazon.
Carry-on Bag
You’ll want to make sure that you have the best carry-on luggage possible for your trip. With most airlines charging checked bag fees, you can often save money by packing carry-ons.
When purchasing a carry-on bag, you’ll want to find something easy to transport. It should have easy-to-roll wheels and be large enough to hold what you want to bring, but not too large to be carried on.
I love the Bigger Carry On by Away. It’s a beautiful bag and it wheels smoothly.
Now that my kids are older, we each pack our own carry on bag when traveling on a short trip.
Electronics/Cord Case
It can be hard to remember all of the various cords you’ll need for travel. If you go away frequently, it can be a good idea to keep a set of cords always packed for travel.
For this purpose, I use a mini from Away, but they have been discontinued. Everything stays in the bag, and I just toss that into my luggage. There are also some adorable mini cases on Amazon.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Another smart travel hack is to keep a bag filled with toiletries packed at all times. For this, I like to have a hanging toiletry bag. Then, it can go right from my suitcase to the hotel bathroom.
You’ll find these bags in almost any shop selling travel accessories and luggage, but you can also find some on Amazon. Just make sure you do a quick check before traveling to make sure nothing is empty or expired.
Travel Games
Most kids are entertained by electronics, but it’s also good to bring along some low-tech games.
Clear Toiletry Bag
If you do travel with just carry-on bags, you’ll need to pack your toiletries according to the TSA rules. I like to have a high-quality, clear bag that can be used multiple times. Like my hanging toiletry bag, I keep this packed at all times.
Here’s one available on Amazon.
Travel Pillow
When I fly overseas, I always bring along my travel pillow. There are lots of different styles, but it’s hard to choose one as the best. It all really depends on how you like to sleep on a plane.
Look for one that is inflatable, because it will be easier to pack. I usually travel with this neck pillow.
Travel Backpack
When we do any sort of sightseeing on our vacation, I like to use a backpack. It can be a more comfortable way to bring everything we need for the day.
This one from Amazon is lightweight and can be packed in your carry-on bag if you don’t want to use it right away. As a bonus, it can be used as an extra bag if you bring home more than you started with.
Laundry bag
Most of us use the plastic bags in the hotel as laundry bags, but that doesn’t always work. Some hotels don’t offer those bags, while others have bags that are too small for a longer trip.
You can find some online here.
What are your favorite travel products?
