Travel Gear Essentials
Discover our favorite travel gear with personal recommendations and affiliate links.
Welcome to our Family Travel Gear page! Here, you’ll find all the essentials we use to make traveling with kids easier, safer, and more enjoyable. From tried-and-true travel gadgets to everyday must-haves, these are the items we rely on for smooth adventures as a family. Click the pictures to take you where you can shop our travel gear favorites and support our family, as we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Happy travels!
Bags/Carriers
Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier
We’ve been using this for nearly five years, and it’s incredibly durable. It’s a better option than a stroller for navigating airports and cities, keeping your hands free as a parent.
FUL Workhorse Rolling Duffle Bag
This is the only checked luggage we use for our family of four, and it never disappoints. It’s incredibly durable, with multiple compartments to keep everything organized.
Cotopaxi Travel Pack
Our day pack holds all our essentials for town outings, short hikes, or airports. It’s colorful for the kids, yet durable and practical for parents.
Osprey 46L Backpack
It’s our “just-right” bag—spacious enough for groceries or extra items on travel days, yet compact enough to fit as a carry-on.
Cross-Body Bag
Keep your valuables secure and within easy reach to reduce the risk of pickpocketing.
Safety
RideSafer Travel Vest
Incredibly user-friendly, compact, and safety-rated for use both in the USA and internationally.
Cosco Sceneca Car Seat
We love this rear-facing car seat for its lightweight design and affordable price, while still being both functional and safe.
Pildegro Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide detectors are uncommon in homes abroad. This compact, lightweight device works effectively and features a convenient magnetic backing.
Kids Entertainment
Writing Tablet
Perfect for doodling, learning, and creativity, this lightweight, space-saving tool keeps kids entertained and reduces paper waste.
Yoto Mini
With simple controls and a compact design, this is a great way to entertain our kids while hiking, exploring cities, or during independent playtime.
BuddyPhones Headphones
Available in a variety of colors, these are comfortable and safe for little ears, with a capped maximum decibel rating.
Left Center Right
A compact, easy-to-learn game that provides hours of fun—perfect to take along on all your travels.
Uno
Simple enough for young kids to enjoy, yet entertaining enough to keep adults engaged
Kids Miscellaneous
NoseFrida SnotSucker
For little ones who haven’t mastered blowing their nose yet, this is a must.
Roshambo Toddler Sunglasses
These are indestructible and super stylish. The kids love them and they have UV protection too.
Babelio Portable Sound Machine
This tiny sound machine packs a punch, blocking out intercity noises, fireworks, and any other sounds trying to keep the kids from sleeping.
Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Bed
Need a toddler bed? This folds compactly and fits in checked luggage—perfect for travel.
Flextrail Electric Air Pump
This compact device takes up minimal space and inflates a mattress in under a minute.
Joolbaby Travel Toilet Seat Cover
Compact and foldable, it fits in your day pack—ideal for little ones on the move.
Maliton Inflatable Leg Rests
Perfect for long plane or bus rides—just inflate and instantly boost your child’s comfort. It might even help them fall asleep!
Keen Closed Toed Sandals
From hiking adventures to beach days, these are a must-have.
For Adults
Tripped Packing Cubes
Perfect for organizing clothes for a family of four, these compress to save valuable space in your luggage.
Gerber Dime Utility Tool
Compact and foldable, it fits in your day pack—ideal for little ones on the move.
Patagonia Nano Puff Jackets
These cozy jackets compress and fit nicely into their own pockets when needing to be packed away.
Gerber Foldable Pocket Knife
This travel essential belongs in your checked bag, but it’s proven invaluable time and time again during our adventures.
Ceptics Universal Outlet
This universal adapter features multiple USB ports, making it perfect for charging all your electronics on the go.
Osprey 3.0L Water Reservoir
When carrying 4 water bottles gets cumbersome, we use this water reservoir while out and about.
Waoaw Sleep Eye Mask
When your Airbnb or hotel lacks proper blackout curtains and sleep feels impossible, this comfy eye mask is your perfect solution.
Anker Portable Charger
No outlets nearby, a power outage, and devices running low? This portable charger has been a lifesaver for us!
Bagsmart Travel Organizer
Keep all your cables, headphones, and chargers organized in one spot—no more loose items floating around in your luggage!
Headphone Adapter
This compact adapter lets me enjoy movies on the plane and seamlessly switch to listening to podcasts or music on my phone.