You’re ready for your next family vacation? Still checking your packaging list? Going for the first time on a getaway with kids? Here is a list of travel gadgets that might still be missing. We’ve listed them in no particular order. Just ideas. They also make great gifts in case you know somebody else who is traveling.
Babies and Toddlers
There are many cribs out there, but this is one which works especially well on the road. You can set it up in just a few seconds and it comes in a light backpack carrying case. Open the quiet zipper and it turns into a play yard. You can easily set it up anywhere: in the airport, on the beach, at a friend’s dinner, at a playgroup, and of course in your hotel. It’s the only crib with a Greenguard Gold certification.
BABYBJÖRN New Baby Carrier One Air, Mesh
Designed for babies from newborn to 36 months, this is one of the most comfortable and safest baby carriers we’ve seen. It comes with a padded waist belt, back support and adjusts to your growing baby with the size adjustment buckle. It can be machine washed and has a JPMA certification. The fabrics are Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class 1 approved. If you’re taking your baby on a trip, you’ll need one of those. This is the newest 2019 edition.
Little Kids
Designed for kids 4 years and up, you’ll need this compact and portable booster seat if you will be traveling on the road. This is useful if you plan on using rental cars, taxis, buses, Uber, Lyft or if you will be carpooling. Note that the mifold is safety tested and meets NHTSA standard FMVSS 213 in the USA, but is not approved for other countries! It is so small it will fit into your handbag or into a kids backpack.
Portable Folding Reusable Travel Toilet Potty Training Seat
A very useful item that you’re likely to use several times a day is the travel toilet potty seat cover by Gimars. It just makes potty training and going to the toilet on the road so much easier! It easily cleans with water, is foldable, and even comes with a firm carry bag. The latest version has 6pcs of large nonslip silicone pads. It’s made out of polypropylene, a non-toxic material, and is suitable for kids 3 years and older.
Crayola Mini Twistables Crayons
Probably one of the cheapest items you should take, and one of the most fun for your kids are the Twistable Crayons from Crayola. No more broken pencils and need sharpening and make fingers dirty. Such a simple and essential item to take. Don’t forget some paper – or stack up while you’re going (restaurants usually have some if you ask). There is also a pack with some regular crayons. Another idea is to bring some chalk to paint the sidewalks and squares in a city. Kids love it.
What’s the best card game for kids: UNO Junior. Hands down. Designed for kids 3 years and up, this is an easy-to-learn game that can fill hours of time. Easy to play on the road, on a train or bus, or just in the hotel or restaurant. There is also the original 112-card deck UNO.
An essential item if you’re planning to travel on a boat. Keep in mind that life jackets for kids are often hard to find in some countries. This life jacket is U.S. Coast guard approved type III. You can also use it for kids playing on the beach and on the pool, as well as a personal flotation device.
Big Kids
Melissa & Doug Trunki Children Suitcase
We just love this lightweight, carry-on size luggage for kids. It serves as a suitcase, riding toy and as transport for kids on the go. It helps you navigate through airports and train stations with your children, and kids love to have their own suitcase. At home, the Trunki can be used as a storage item in your kid’s room. It holds up to 100 lbs (45kg).
A high quality, best performing T-bar scooter for kids ages 5-12 years. It’s an item that is usually difficult to get a hands on while you’re traveling. And kids can have hours of fun cruising around a square or patio. It is durable and has a strong 3-wheel construction. It comes as a T-bar or Joystick for better curving and carving.
We think kids should be as little as possible on electronic devices – especially while traveling, but sorry, sometimes these tablets just come in handy. If you’re doing 12h plane trips like we often do with kids, you know what I’m talking about. If you’re looking for a tablet specifically for kids, we recommend the Fire HD 8 Tablets from Amazon. They have a two years worry-free guarantee, one year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited (think tons of content), and a kid-proof case. Plus they are available in several colors. Also don’t forget that there is lots of educational content available: from PBS Kids, Netflix (documentaries), Disney, or audiobooks from Audible, etc. There is a 7, 8 and 10 inch version. We recommend taking at least the 8 inch, HD version.
Acknowledgments: Laura Georgieff, Frugal for Luxury
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I like the Fire HD tablet. I’ve used it for my children.
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