Traveling with kids? Here are the family travel essentials I never leave home without—tested on flights and trips across multiple countries.
Traveling is one of my favorite things in the world and I feel lucky I’ve been able to do it as much as I have. But it’s definitely something I like to feel prepared for, where ever I go.
Traveling with kids can especially feel overwhelming at first, but after doing it many times—including long flights and trips to multiple countries—I’ve found a rhythm that works for us. I’ve taken my little ones everywhere from Europe to Asia to Central America, and along the way I’ve learned what’s actually worth packing and what just ends up as extra weight in your bag.
This list is full of the travel essentials I personally bring on every trip with my family. Some are small comforts that make the journey smoother, while others are must-haves that save the day when traveling with kids. If you’ve got a trip coming up, consider this your checklist of things that will make life on the road so much easier.
In-Flight TRavel Essentials
1. Eye Mask Neck Pillow
This eye mask neck pillow combo gave me the best sleep I’ve ever had on an airplane and instantly became one of my travel essentials. Logan and I both used it on our flights to and from Japan and to Montenegro and we got some *good* sleep. It straps around the adjustable headrest of your airplane seat and holds your head against the seat so it doesn’t bob around while you’re sleeping. It also blocks out any light which is great especially when you have a neighbor with their reading light on or window open. Pair it with some noise cancelling headphones and you won’t even know you’re on an airplane.
2. Foot Hammock
This foot hammock is for my shorties or anyone whose legs get restless on the ground. This little hammock just straps over the tray table and raises your feet up. I don’t know why, but it is just so much more comfortable. It’s especially nice when I’m holding by sleeping baby because I can put their weight on my legs without hurting my back. (You can see me using it in the picture above!)
3. Kindle
A Kindle is great on an airplane with the backlight option so you can read even when they have the lights off. You can also have a ton of book options downloaded so you know you’ll be interested in something. It’s also so much lighter to carry around than a physical book. If you enjoy reading, it definitely needs to become one of your travel essentials.
4. Headphone Bluetooth Transmitter
You can definitely use the wired headphones, but if you prefer your own bluetooth headphones, this little headphone transmitter syncs your headphones to the airplane tv. I definitely prefer this to the wired earbuds.
5. External Charger
Most airplanes have a charger at your seat, but if it’s broken (which has happened to me) or you need to charge multiple devices, the portable power bank is really nice to have on hand.
6. Electronic Cables Organizer
I never travel without this cable organizer. With all of the chords I need for my phone, kindle, watch, the airplane tv bluetooth adaptor etc., it’s a lot. This little case keeps everything organized and in one place. It’s also big enough to hold my external charger which I appreciate.
Once You Arrive Travel Essentials
7. Mini Sound Machine
We always bring a mini sound machine when traveling, especially with kids. Hotels can be noisy—doors slamming in the hallway, city sounds outside or too quiet and a little white noise helps turn our brain off. We also use one at home so it makes it feel like bedtime at home. My kids fall asleep so much faster with it, and honestly, so do I. This one in particular is tiny and takes up almost no space in our carry on bag.
8. International Plug Adaptor
If you’re traveling internationally, a plug adaptor is non-negotiable. It’s not something you want to worry about buying when you land, you’ll want it right when you arrive. I like the kind that has multiple USB ports built in so we can charge several things at once. We bring a few and it covers everything from our phones to the kids’ Yoto players.
9. Silky Pillow Case
This is a little bit of a “luxury” item, but it makes a difference and doesn’t cost much. I swap out the hotel pillowcase for my silk one and it just feels so much cleaner and more comfortable. Plus, silk helps with skin and hair (no waking up with frizz city), and it’s so small it barely takes up any space.
10. Travel Toiletries
I keep a small pouch ready with just my travel toiletries so I don’t have to worry about going out and buying them right away. This is what I pack:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste – I keep a travel set always packed. I love my electronic toothbrush at home and this is the perfect travel option.
- Face wash – Perfect for a quick refresh after a long flight.
- Moisturizer & lip balm – Airplanes and hotel AC are so drying.
- Dry shampoo – Game changer for when showers aren’t convenient.
- Travel-size sunscreen – I wear sunscreen on my face every day and especially with kids, I don’t risk forgetting this.
11. Medical Supplies
I don’t like to rely on finding a pharmacy in a new place when something comes up, so I always pack a little medical kit. I love these little travel pill containers to easily bring a few of each medince we need on the go. I typically have one for adult medicine and one for our kids.
Medicine I typically carry:
- Tylenol/Ibuprofen
- Bandaids and antiseptic wipes
- Electrolyte packets (so helpful for dehydration from travel or sickness)
- Any prescription meds
- Allergy medicine (we’ve used this more than once on trips!)
Travel Essentials for Kids
12. Travel Blanket
My kids almost always get cold on the airplane and they love their little travel blankets. These ones have snaps around the perimeter so you can secure it around them and it won’t slip off. It packs down really small and it’s super lightweight so it’s really easy to just throw inside their backpacks.
13. Travel Stroller
One day we’ll travel around without a stroller but in this phase of life it’s definitely high on our travel essentials list. This travel stroller is my favorite travel stroller for multiple kids and I wrote a whole blog post explaining why and the features of it. Having a stroller with young kids is so helpful to push the kids around and carry all of the stuff you need for a day out in a new place.
14. Kid Carrier
We use our kid carrier all the time when traveling, especially in places that aren’t stroller-friendly (think cobblestone streets, temples, or hiking trails). It also keeps our hands free, which is always a plus. This carrier is lightweight, breathable, and is good for infants and kids up to about 43 pounds.
15. Yoto Mini Audio Player
I love love love our Yoto players and recommend them to every family. The Yoto is a screen free audio player that you insert cards to play whatever is on them. (Audiobooks, music, podcasts, etc.) The Yoto Mini is especially perfect for traveling and a great way to entertain kids while traveling or even just winding down at your hotel.
You can use my Yoto discount code which is AFF-HaileyT10 for 10% off the players, cards, and accessories.
16. Kid Headphones
Kid-friendly headphones are an obvious travel essentials. These have lasted us years with no need to replace them. They work for the airplane TV, the Yoto, or even my phone if I download shows ahead of time. If you are using them for a device that doesn’t have a typical headphone jack, you can get this little converter and they’ll work with your phone or a newer iPad.
17. Travel Carseat and Booster
The Wayb Pico car seat is a lightweight, compact, and highly portable forward-facing car seat designed for children aged 2 years and older. It weights just 8 pounds and folds down small enough to fit in an airplane overhead bin. We’ve had ours for a few years and both of our older kids have used it. If you have an older kid that rides in a booster seat, we got this inflatable booster seat that packs down very small and is super lightweight.
18. Travel Toys
I bring a few small, open-ended travel toys that can work together (magnet tiles, mini animals, cars, play silks). The kids will build garages, create little worlds, and keep themselves busy for way longer than I expect. It’s so nice to have options that don’t take up much space.
19. Kids Medicine
If I could give one tip, it’s don’t forget kids medicine. When they get sick on a trip, it’s almost always at the most inconvenient time and it can be hard to find exactly what you need in a nother country. Having Tylenol, Motrin, and even a little syringe packed saves so much stress. Here’s a quick list of children’s medicine I’d pack for travel:
- Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen)
- Children’s Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil)
- Benadryl (for allergies or unexpected reactions)
- Children’s Dramamine (for motion sickness, if needed)
- Electrolyte packets (like Liquid I.V. or Pedialyte powder)
- Infant gas drops (if traveling with a baby)
- Saline spray/drops and a nasal aspirator
- Thermometer (compact digital one)
If You Enjoyed This List of Travel Essentials, Be Sure to Check Out My Other Travel Posts!
