12 Genius Travel Accessories for Kids That Will Make Your Family Vacation So Much Easier
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We’re always ready for our next vacation. Whether that means bursting out of the house to go out to see the world, or Grandma’s house, or maybe just a little bit of cooler water or shadier trees that are more than a day trip away, it’s always nice to get away. And as happy as we are about making all those family trip memories, we can’t forget that traveling with kids can be a giant hassle too. But if you have the right travel accessories, that hassle does get a little bit smaller.
Whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teenagers, you know it’s never going to be as easy as when you were single and carefree. But you also don’t want to stay trapped in your home forever, nor do you have to. From the days when cavewomen learned how to strap babies to their backs, we have been taking kids on trips long and short. And luckily, we have more than handmade baskets and animal hides to help us. Folks have invented travel beds and ride-on suitcases, mobile entertainment devices and compact travel toys, snack packs and cleaning products that turns harried parents into super-moms and dads on the road.
Best Kids Travel Accessories at a Glance
Best Overall: Kiki Pure A2 UV & 3 Stage H13 Hepa Air Purifier, $40
Best for Long Road Trips: Chicco KidFit Adapt Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat, $97 (was $130)
Best for Eating On-the-Go: The Table Tyke Store 100% Silicone Placemat, $25
Best for Quiet Time: iClever Kids Headphones, $45
Best Comfort Item: Cubcoat Kids Transforming 2-in-1 Hoodie, $30
Best for Long Plane Rides: JetKids by Stokke BedBox Ride-On Suitcase, $229
Best for Securing Snacks: Melii Snackle Box, $13
Best for Hours of Entertainment: PLUS PLUS Travel Case, $23
Best for Camping: KidCo Peapod Plus, $81 (was $112)
Best Travel Seat for Kids: Summer by Bright Starts Pop ‘N Sit Portable Booster Chair, $28
Best Travel Activity: Kid Made Modern On-The-Go Vacation Journal, $16
Best for A Long Weekend Away: Tonies Peppa Pig Toniebox Starter Set, $90 (was $136)
Remember how good it felt the first time you figured out just what to pack in your diaper bag to leave the house for half an hour? (Change of clothing, extra wipes and diapers, and … an extra shirt for you.) You have it in your power to feel that mastery when you pack for family vacation now, too.
The Kinds of Kids Travel Essentials Pros Recommend
Depending on the type of traveling you’re embarking on, you will need “a plethora of engaging diversions is paramount to mitigating restlessness and maintaining harmonious spirits.,” says Justin Crabbe, CEO and Founder of Jettly. “Portable electronics, beloved times, coloring accouterments, and diminutive playthings can work wonders in captivating young wanderers.”
Stephanie Edenburgh, CEO of Bizzie Mommy and mother of three, says that the best kids travel accessories depends on the type of trip you’re taking. “For road trips, I always recommend portable snack organizers and backseat organizers that attach to the front seats,” she explains. “These are great for keeping toys, books, and snacks within easy reach, thus minimizing distractions for the driver. Additionally, a tablet holder can be a lifesaver for peaceful travel, especially on longer journeys.”
And if you’re camping Edenburgh shares “during a recent camping trip with my kids, I found that giving each child their own little backpack with personalized items made them feel involved and kept them entertained. This not only helped them to manage their belongings but also built their independence and enjoyment in the outdoors.”
Below, reference our guide to the best travel accessories for kids to have for your next trip.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Kiki Pure is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Kids Travel Gear for Weekend Trips
Essentials
BEST OVERALL
Kiki Pure A2 UV & 3 Stage H13 Hepa Air Purifier
Travel purifiers are handy, especially when you’re traveling for a long weekend. Whether you’re visiting a humid and stuffy climate, or if your children have breathing sensitivities, this purifier will help them feel soothed like they’re at home. Kiki Pure’s A2 UV & 3 Stage H13 Hepa Air Purifier is one of the best to consider for your next adventure. It features a sleek design, two fan speeds, and up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge (meaning: It’s ultra travel-friendly, which is why it made this list). Most importantly, the air purifier covers up to 150 square feet and is 99.96% effective at controlling allergens, bacteria, viruses, and odors. It’s great for hotel rooms, guest bedrooms, camp sites, RVs, and more.
Entertainment
BEST FOR A LONG WEEKEND AWAY
Tonies Peppa Pig Toniebox Starter Set
Tonies are an excellent travel item to take with you on a long weekend trip. Each one is packed with your child’s favorite characters, like this one with Peppa Pig. The Tonies box plays stories, songs, sounds, and more, which gives little ones a break from screen time and a chance to explore their imaginations. Plus, it gives parents a break too!
Kids Travel Gear for Road Trips
Essentials
BEST FOR LONG ROAD TRIPS
Chicco KidFit Adapt Plus 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat
Hopping into a car that’s been roasting in a hot parking lot is kind of the worst. And shoving your kid into a hot car seat while you run around to turn on the air conditioning is a dance we’ve all performed. At least we know the breathable fabric in these Chicco booster car seats have “naturally derived volcanic mineral particles” so that heat won’t stay trapped there for long.
BEST FOR EATING ON-THE-GO
The Table Tyke Store 100% Silicone Placemat
Toddlers and babies aren’t especially well known for having the best table manners, and getting them to keep their food on a plate at home is challenging enough. This silicone mat provides a clean, safe space for them to eat on any flat surface and rolls up easily for storage or travel. It also doubles as a playmat and features a table-hugging bumper mat to prevent your little one from teething on germy corners.
Entertainment
BEST FOR QUIET TIME
iClever Kids Headphones
When you finally decide to plug your child into a screen (or audio device) to get your own vacation peace and quiet (no shame in this), we definitely recommend headphones that won’t get too loud. These inexpensive and durable headphones also feature a built-in splitter, for when siblings and parents want to listen in.
BEST COMFORT ITEM
Cubcoat Kids Transforming 2-in-1 Hoodie
You don’t need to pack too many layers for warm-weather travel, but whenever your kid isn’t wearing their Cubcoat, they can cuddle with it. They also make for excellent little pillows in the car or plane.
Kids Travel Gear for Long Plane Rides
Essentials
BEST FOR LONG PLANE RIDES
JetKids by Stokke BedBox Ride-On Suitcase
If your kid has outgrown their stroller or you’re just not taking it, you will whining when it comes to long walks through hotels, airports, and the like. This ride-on suitcase will solve that problem (for kids ages 3-7), and then some. It also converts into a clever footrest that many airlines have approved for use during flight, turning an economy-class seat into a first-class naptime bed.
BEST FOR SECURING SNACKS
Melii Snackle Box
Long plane rides mean the kids are going to need plenty of snacks to keep them nourished. Sure, plane snacks are fun, but there’s nothing like their favorite picks from home. That’s where the Melii Snackle Box comes in. It has 12 compartments with removable dividers, so you can completely customize the box for smaller and larger items. The lid also securely fits the box, so you don’t have to worry about spills.
Entertainment
BEST FOR HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT
PLUS PLUS Travel Case
It’s a pretty good idea to bring along at least one or two toys to keep kids occupied on vacation, but finding something that’s both compact and engaging for hours and days is a challenge. This PLUS PLUS Case comes with 100 pieces and a building base. (We can’t guarantee you will be bringing all 100 of those piece back home with you, sadly.)
Kids Travel Gear for Camping
Essentials
BEST FOR CAMPING
KidCo Peapod Plus
Whether you’re at the beach all day, camping, or crashing at a family member’s home with no crib easily available, your little ones need a comfy, safe, and shady place to sleep. The sleeping pad is built into the bottom of this little tent, and UV protection is built into its cover.
BEST TRAVEL SEAT FOR KIDS
Summer by Bright Starts Pop 'N Sit Portable Booster Chair
So you could rely on restaurants and friends to provide you with high chairs wherever you go, and then be resigned to feeding your kiddo on your lap when none is available. Or you could get one of these clever fold-up boosters, which work just as well on the ground as attached to a chair. They’re easy to clean, light, and may even have you tossing out your high chair at home, too.
Entertainment
BEST TRAVEL ACTIVITY
Kid Made Modern On-The-Go Vacation Journal
If your child loves art, you will always be on the lookout for an easy way to pack some art supplies for vacation. This little vacation journal kit includes pages for documenting the trip and markers, and it will be perfect to pull out during any down-time.
Experts in This Article
Stephanie Edenburgh, CEO of Bizzie Mommy and mother of three
Justin Crabbe: CEO and Founder of Jettly