Practical Products for Family Travel

Traveling with kids is no small feat—there’s so much gear to manage! Packing efficiently so that everything is easy to find once you arrive at your destination is practically an art form. And lugging everything through the airport, especially security, often feels like a game of Jenga. Not to mention, wrangling the kids themselves! Over the years, I discovered some practical tricks, thanks to the products for family travel listed below – all of which I genuinely use and enjoy.

Travel Products

Packing cubes: I never travel without our Mark and Graham Packing Cubes. Each of us fills our own cube, and then I pack them all into the largest suitcase. This way, we only have to check one bag, and when we arrive, everything is neatly organized. I also bring a laundry bag. By the end of the trip, the packing cubes are usually empty, leaving only the laundry bag to go back into the suitcase. Once home, I immediately empty the laundry bag into the washer. It makes both packing and unpacking much less of a task.

The Perfect Carry-On: This Dagne Dover Petra bag has quickly become my go-to travel companion and #1 product for family travel. With pockets for everything I need, it keeps me organized on the go. I especially love how it easily transforms into a backpack, making it super versatile. When I’m wheeling my suitcase through the airport, I typically attach the bag to it for convenience. If/when I end up checking my suitcase, I simply convert the bag into a backpack to make it more comfortable to carry.  It also has a large pocket for a laptop and often I use it as a work bag.

Kizik: My kids and I are obsessed with Kizik shoes. I have lost count of how many pairs I’ve bought. They’re perfect for travel—and honestly, any occasion—because they slip on and off effortlessly. Going through security is less of a hassle. As a mom who’s always juggling multiple things at once, it’s easy to slide them on without needing to put anything down.

Scrapbooks: Before big trips, I like to order scrapbooks for the kids, usually from Etsy, to help capture our adventures. I bring along markers and glue sticks, and each night, the kids write about or draw what we experienced that day. They also use the glue sticks to add tickets or other mementos we’ve collected along the way. It’s a great way to limit souvenir purchases, too—rather than asking for bulky items to bring home, the kids often choose inexpensive stickers to decorate their scrapbooks. By the end of the trip, we’ve got books full of memories.

Camp Snap Cameras: Our kids love these cameras when traveling. The kids stay fully engaged taking photos while sightseeing, without taking out a phone and getting distracted by screens. When we return home we upload their photos to Snapfish and they each make an album. Most recently, they used them throughout our 3-day trip to London.

Travel Charger: Lastly, I wouldn’t travel anywhere without this travel charger that adapts to just about any device and any charging situation needed. It makes a great gift too!

Helpful Hints:

• I always pack Uncrustables – don’t judge. Uncrustables are the best to have in your bag when someone says “I’m hungry.” They also come to the rescue on camping trips.
• I keep a packed bag of toiletries and medicine at home that I can always throw in a suitcase without needing to repack it for each and every trip. 

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links and I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only promote products I genuinely use and feel would appeal to my readers.