Traveling With Kids? You Need to Try These Helpful Products

Hitting the road or skies with your family can be trying to say the least — whether you’re dealing with screaming toddlers who just won’t settle, smashed Cheerios on an airplane seat, or answering yet another “Are we there yet” from the backseat. As a mom of five, I’ve missed flights because I was changing diapers and ran out of snacks and wipes just as delays set in, but I’ve also had epic trips across the world with my family in tow. Products specifically meant to ease the struggles and woes of traveling are constantly improving. Here’s what I’ve found really works, and love to have on hand for trips.

_{Prices are accurate as of October 28, 2024. Subject to change.}

The Best Activities for Delays

Keke Grab-and-Go Bag

When it comes to keeping your kids entertained while on the road or impatiently waiting for your scheduled flight, the Keke Grab-and-Go Bag is perfect for travel. Each bag comes with four pouches containing activities that help with various skills, including creativity, fine motor, social and emotional, and pre-academics. Previous pouches have included lacing toys, scratch art, a Rubix cube, and a number game. In addition to its organization options, the actual bag is also durable and resistant to spills, which means your littles can have travel entertainment and eat their snacks too.

You can purchase a single bag or get a subscription to keep your kids active with new activities and pouches for $40 every three months (subscriptions don’t include a new bag).

Snacks, Snacks, Snacks! 

Every parent knows that one of the greatest ways to keep travel enjoyable for all is making sure there are plenty of snacks to be had. While a stop at a convenience store for all the candy might not be ideal, there are options that make you feel good as a parent and keep your kids happy.

Solely Fruit Gummies

For the fruit snack, gummy worm-driven child (or adult), check out Solely Fruit Gummies. This line of snacks is made with whole organic fruit and vitamin C, and is free of added sugar, gelatins, and preservatives. The resealable pouches or individual packets make packing and storing them on your travels easy as well.

Super Dirt Ballers

If chocolate is the snack of choice, add Super Dirt to your snack list. The Ballers come in a variety of flavors, including Figgy Chocolate, Mocha Maca, and Banana Chia, and are packed full of prebiotics and healthy ingredients like chia seeds, spinach, and flaxseed, meaning you can feel good about embracing snack time — no matter how many miles you have ahead of you.

Smart Snack Transporters

You’re stocked up on snacks, but when it comes to carrying them all with you, there are a variety of travel-approved options.

Melii Snap & Go Pods

If you’re in the market for freezer-safe containers with lids, check out the melii line of Snap & Go Pods. These containers are the perfect size for any age and can be used for both wet and dry foods. Best of all, they’re BPA- and PVC-free and can also go in the dishwasher and microwave.

Melii Snackle Box

For kids who enjoy a bit more independence, melii also has a 12-compartment Snackle Box and Puzzle Container to help store snacks while on the go. Both are made with food-safe materials and can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher. Parents say they’re perfect for picnics, extended adventures, and even fishing trips.

Travel-Friendly Strollers

It’s not just the actual act of traveling that needs to be less complicated when vacationing with kids but also moving around when you get to your destination. Investing in a reliable stroller or wagon can make all the difference.

ErgoBaby Metro+Deluxe

For parents wanting a compact, easily collapsible stroller check out the ErgoBaby Metro+Deluxe. This compact stroller is ideal for newborns to 4-year-olds and has an expandable storage basket to help carry all those travel souvenirs you might pick up along the way. When it’s collapsed, it won’t take up lots of cargo space, meaning you have more space for those extra items you need while traveling (like snacks!).

Austlen Entourage 2.0

If you need a bit more space than a stroller can offer, the Austlen Entourage 2.0 might be another great investment (and we really do mean investment). This stroller doubles as a luggage cart and can be converted into a variety of configurations, including a single or double stroller or a sit and stand. With its 200-pound weight limit, you’ll be able to carry all the kids and cargo your travel requires.

For Easy Dining

ezpz Mini Mat

Traveling often means dining at more restaurants than normal. For parents with children in their highchair eras, this can make eating a bit more messy and stressful. You can help alleviate some of that stress by using ezpz’s Mini Mat, which combines a placemat and plate all in one. With its suction feature, you can rest assured that it won’t end up on the floor and there will be fewer crumbs on your child. It’s designed to fit most highchair trays and comes with a reusable bag for storing in your diaper bag. It’s dishwasher safe and BPA-, BPS-, PVC-, and Phthalate-free. We can’t promise that a few chicken tenders won’t end up on the floor, but you just might enjoy your own meal a bit more while using the Mini Mat.

For Cozy Car Rides

Cabeau Evolution Kids Neck Pillow

Using Cabeau’s Evolution Kids Neck Pillow might be the difference between a quiet ride and a fussy one. These neck pillows are specifically designed with your child (ages 3 and up) in mind. Along with the fun animal designs, they’re super soft and have raised side supports to help alleviate that bob-and-weave head movement parents have come to know as a sleeping child in a car seat. The company states that the slim rear cushion on these pillows helps alleviate neck strain and the chin and head support give added 360-degree comfort for little travelers.

Keeping Full Charge

Foldable Wireless Travel Charger

When traveling with kids, it might not just be you that’s running on a low battery — your devices might too. If the kids’ use of your phone for the most recent Netflix release buys you some extra time of contentment, pack this Foldable Wireless Travel Charger for your next trip. It allows you to charge three devices at once and compactly folds down to fit in your bag. Your devices charge quickly, and it can be used with an iPhone 8 or newer, Apple Watches, and Samsung Galaxy 7 and newer. Plus it has overcharging protection and overheating detection, so you’ll feel safe using it.

Memory Makers

HP Sprocket Photo Printer

You’ll most likely leave your travels with a variety of new memories and photo ops. While you might consider just storing those photos in the Cloud or posting on your social media, the HP Sprocket Photo Printer makes it possible for you to print those memories — even while on the go if you don’t want to wait until the trip’s over. HP’s Zink Zero Ink Technology means you don’t have to worry about toner or ribbon replacements, and it can connect to multiple devices at the same time, so your travel partners can also share their photos with you. The printer is compact and portable enough to fit in nearly any bag and recharges using a Micro USB cable.

Feature Image Credit: PeopleImages Yuri A/ Shutterstock