Need some help finding the perfect travel gear for kids? Here are some of our favorite products. Everything on this list we own and love!
1. The Challenge: Strollers are the worse y’all. They are big and heavy. They are hard to lug around. Even when I fold them up, it’s like playing Tetris trying to make them fit in taxi trunks. We have to leave them outside when we go into small shops just hoping they will still be there when we come out. Yeah, I could get a cheap umbrella stroller. But my back will be aching after a day of leaning over pushing that small thing all day. And I’ll have to carry all of my bags on my back and shoulders, because there is no storage space. The lack of durability means we’ll be getting a new one often, and we better have a really nice sidewalk to roll on or else we are screwed. Forget rolling on cobblestone streets or dirt paths. If we come across stairs, GAME OVER.☠
The Solution: Say hello to the perfect travel stroller, The Zoe Traveler!
Why we love it: This stroller is truly amazing! It has been able to roll on any surface we have tried. Cobblestone in the old towns of Europe? ✔Check! Tiny dusty alleys in Morocco’s medinas? ✔Check! The horrible uneven sidewalks in my neighborhood? ✔Check! It is so lightweight that I can carry it down stairs with my child in it easily. It has some storage space to help carry bags. Plus, I can drape my camera on the handles keeping it safe in front of me and freeing up my shoulders from that aching pain. It lays back too, allowing Little E to nap on the go. Side note from Hubby: It is tall enough for a 6’3″ dude to push comfortably without leaning forward.
Our favorite feature: The best feature is that it packs up small enough to fit in a overhead compartment of a plane. We still always gate check it to save our overhead space. But the fact that it gets this small allows us to store it under tables in tiny cafes, stuff it in a locker at a train station, or fit it in the backseat of a taxi.
Drawbacks: If you are travelling with an infant, it doesn’t hold a carseat/carrier well. At this stage, I prefer to leave the stroller at home completely and wear my baby instead. Also, it needs cup-holders. 🤦♀️
The Traveler (Zoe XLC) – Best Lightweight Travel and Everyday Umbrella Stroller System
2. The Challenge: My instinct is to take my wrap. It’s easy to pack, comfortable to wear all day, and light in the heat. But… it’s too tight for my sweaty husband to wear, it takes way too long to tie and secure, and my babies don’t always like how constrained they feel.
The Solution: Bring a more versatile carrier instead like the LÍLLÉbaby Complete All Seasons Baby Carrier
Why we love it: The Lillebaby is more comfortable for all day wear. I was able to use it until Little E was around 2 years old. It gave him the freedom to move around as he got older. I can wear it so many different ways! It’s very quick to put on and take off. And halleluiah 🙌, the hubby loves the Lillebaby. So, we can share the baby carrying responsibility.
Our favorite feature: It has handy dandy breathable pockets that you can unzip. I worry less about overheating for me and my little ones when we are out on a hot day. And it gets the sweaty husband thumbs up 👍.
Drawbacks: I absolutely hate how hard this thing is to store! It just doesn’t fold up well at all.
LÍLLÉbaby Complete All Seasons Baby Carrier SIX-Position 360° Ergonomic Carrier, Stone
3. The Challenge: We avoid bringing a carseat at all cost when we can. Renting a car with a carseat normally solves the problem. But sometimes, we just can’t avoid it. Carrying a carseat through the airport is a horrible stress adder to the beginning of what should be a fun vacation, but we don’t want to risk the airline losing our carseat if we check it.
The Solution: Bring an airport carseat bag
Why we love it: There are a ton to choose from on Amazon, and I don’t really have a preference on which is the best. This bag helps hubby carry our carseat on his back or shoulder and keeps it packed up cleanly for checking at the gate (which is free!).
Our favorite feature: We can throw that clunky baby carrier in there too, making one less thing we have to worry about on the plane! Or if we are feeling sneaky, we can buckle in a packing cube or two and create extra free space in our carry-ons.
Drawbacks: It doesn’t make a normal carseat any less small. The carseat is still annoying to have to bring.
VolkGo Durable Car Seat Travel Bag
4. The Challenge: Did I mention how much a hate travelling with a carseat yet? 🙄
The Solution: Ride Safer Travel Vest
Why we love it: This harness completely and safely replaces the need for a carseat! It’s legal here in the states. We use it everywhere, on planes, in taxis, on buses…
Our favorite feature: It’s super easy to pack. It fits in our diaper bag. We can throw it in the Zoe’s storage basket and fold up the stroller with the harness!
Drawbacks: There are two big ones. First, the child needs to be 30 lbs before this is a safe option. Second, when we are planning on being in the car for a long time, it’s not the most comfortable option for a child. A normal carseat is better for sleeping in.
Visit their website for more information including some great info on safety: https://saferide4kids.com/
5. The Challenge: Many countries don’t have reliable safe high chairs at restaurants (if any at all). I’m often stuck holding my baby on my lap while I try to eat.
The Solution: A travel high chair such as, My Little Seat
Why we love it: This travel high chair is super portable, packing into a small bag that fits easily in our diaper bag. It fits just about any chair we have tried it on.
Our favorite feature: It’s really easy to wash! Just throw it in the washing machine or wash it in the hotel sink.
Drawbacks: It doesn’t bring our children up to table height.
MY LITTLE SEAT Travel High Chair
6. The Challenge: My potty training toddler needs to use the public restroom.
The Solution: Pack Gimars Folding Travel Portable Potty Training Seat in your diaper bag!
Why we love it: This travel potty seat takes minimal space, and it has a small carry bag that you can throw some sanitizer in.
Our favorite feature: My son loves that it is shaped like a cute little owl.
Drawbacks: It’s a little flimsy, but the price is so low that if it breaks you can buy another.
Gimars Upgrade Stable Folding Travel Portable Potty Training Seat
7. The Challenge: My son is quick to run the battery down on my phone watching videos and playing games.
The Solution: Get him his own Fire Kids Edition Tablet.
Why we love it: The Fire Kids Edition is pretty much the same tablet as the regular Fire but with a nice durable cover. It comes equipped with the FreeTime app and a one year subscription. Little E was able to download anything he wanted within his age group on this app without our help. It took him all of about one day to find his favorite shows on Kids Youtube BY HIMSELF! This pairs nicely with a set of kid friendly headphones.
Our favorite feature: The durable cover is worth its weight in gold. Ethan actually threw this thing INTO A RIVER, and it still worked!
Drawbacks: I had to get comfortable with judgmental stares from strangers that don’t understand why I would allow my child to play with a tablet at the dinner table. 🤷♀️
Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet, 7″ Display, 16 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case
8. The Challenge:Our second baby needed white noise to sleep early on. I have a white noise app that I love on my phone, but I can’t use my phone and the app at the same time.
The Solution: Replace your phone app with the The Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine
Why we love it: This white noise machine is small and simple. It gets the job done and takes up little space.
Our favorite feature: I can clip it to anything, and it has a child safe lock.
Drawbacks: You have to charge it every morning.
Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine for Baby
9. The Challenge: I don’t want to miss out on nighttime events, because it’s too loud for baby. If there are fireworks or loud music, the sound could damage my little ones ears.
The Solution: Bring noise protecting ear muffs
Why we love it: I don’t feel guilty being the mom in the concert stands at 9:00 PM anymore. My baby is safely on my chest sleeping soundly while I enjoy the event, fireworks and all.
Our favorite feature: These fold up really really small, saving that precious space!
Drawbacks: As Little E got bigger, he got more annoyed with wearing these.
10. The Challenge: My kids’ attention spans stink.😩
The Solution: Bring activities that take little space but hold attention longer. We love Water Wows, Brain Quests, and National Geographic Magazines.
Why we love it: All three of these activity type items are easy to pack. Little E doesn’t seem to tire of them.
Our favorite feature: Water Wows are a no mess alternative to coloring books!
Drawbacks: Just don’t lose the Water Wow paintbrush.😱
Brain Quest for Threes, revised 4th edition: 300 Questions and Answers to Get a Smart Start
National Geographic Little Kids
Have a recommendation I didn’t cover? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Awesome recommendations!
I’d like to add that if I’m going out to eat with my toddlers, I don’t leave home without these easy disposable placemats that give kids more real estate to eat and it’s easier to clean and maintain the mess.
Neat Solutions Table Topper Disposable Stick-on Placemats in Reusable Package, Gender Neutral, 12″ x 18″, 60 Count (Styles May Vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FKE4UU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dsV5EbKYPRYNC
Yes! I keep a stash in my diaper bag from chickfila 😉.