I get asked a lot about what we actually use when we travel with our kids, so I finally sat down and pulled together the real answer — the stuff that’s earned a permanent spot in our travel bag after being tested on more than one trip (Niagara Falls, a Disney Christmas trip, and everything in between).
This isn’t a “here’s what’s trending” list. Every single item below has actually traveled with us, and I’m including the honest take on each one — what I love, and where it falls short.
For the Littlest Travelers
Moby Duet Baby Carrier — I’ve tried other carriers, including the pricier Nuna one, and this is still my favorite. Three adjustable carrying positions and a customizable seat mean it actually grows with your baby instead of being a one-trick carrier.
Formula Dispenser — Most formula dispensers only give you 3 compartments. This one gives you 4, which doesn’t sound like a big deal until you’re mid-trip trying to portion out a full day’s worth of feedings.
Ubo Baby Food Bottle — My kids are messy eaters, plain and simple. A regular sippy cup can’t handle anything with texture — purees, yogurt, oatmeal — and this one can.
Keeping Kids Fed On the Go
Snack Container — I went through a few snack cups before this one won. It has a lid (so much less spillage) and a removable insert that makes it more versatile than most.
Silicone Snack Containers — Once my oldest outgrew the sippy-style snack cup, these took over — also great for just portioning snacks in general, travel or not.
Entertainment That Actually Works
Belkin Headphones — I’ve tried the headband style, ear plugs, and other over-the-head versions. These fit my kids the best out of all of them.
Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Muffs — Don’t let the name fool you into thinking these are just for flights. I’ve used them at a basketball game and my daughter was thrilled to have them — anywhere loud, these come with us.
Kids LCD Writing Tablet — Mess-free, foldable, and there’s nothing to lose (no crayons, no loose papers). A flight/car-ride staple.
Coloring & Sticker Activity Book — Simple, but effective. Keeps my kids occupied and about as organized as a toddler with 300 stickers can be.
Airplane Tray Table Cover — This is the one that ties the other activities together. I pack everything into it ahead of time — coloring pad, sticker books, tablet — then just slide it onto the tray table when we sit down. Genuinely one of my favorite travel finds.
Sleep, Wherever We Land
Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed — This has come on many trips with us. It’s not the most compact thing to pack — it eats up about a quarter of a big suitcase — but I’ve never had a weight issue with it. My honest take: if you’re avoiding a checked bag altogether, skip this one. But if you’re already checking a bag (which, with kids, we usually are), it’s worth having a bed you actually trust your toddler to sleep in.
Inflatable Toddler Airplane Bed — Best for the under-2 crowd, in my experience. Used it for my daughter at 1 year old, and she slept through an entire flight.
Toddler Travel Bed / Airplane Seat — The better fit once they’ve outgrown the Omzer-style bed — good for older toddlers on flights.
Peace of Mind in a Crowd
3-in-1 Toddler Harness Leash — I wasn’t a “leash” person until I used this one in Niagara Falls, where my daughter was a full-on runner at the time and I was terrified she’d get too close to the edge of the boat. Not glamorous, but it works.
Waterproof AirTag Bracelets for Kids — If you’re like me, nothing else needs to be said about these.
AirTag Hidden Holder with Invisible Pin — A second way to keep a tracker on a kid — this one pins into clothing or a bag rather than sitting on the wrist.
Apple AirTags — The trackers themselves. We use these for the kids, the diaper bag, and our checked luggage — anywhere we really don’t want to find out something’s missing the hard way.
Packing & Organization
Kids Compression Packing Cubes — A must for us. Everything gets separated by outfit, so I can grab one cube instead of digging around for pants in one spot and shirts in another.
Weather & Everyday Comfort
Toddler Hooded Rain Suit — Easy to pack, quick to throw on over whatever they’re already wearing — good for any trip where weather is unpredictable.
Kids Neck Fan — Lightweight, USB-rechargeable, and compact enough to clip onto a stroller or bag — great for any warm-weather trip, not just theme parks.
Disposable Toilet Seat Covers — I genuinely don’t understand why more people don’t travel with these. Public restrooms on a long travel day can be rough, and I get frustrated with myself every time I forget to pack them.
That’s our real, tested list — not just what’s popular, but what’s actually stayed in the rotation trip after trip. If you’re building your own travel bag, I’d start with whichever category matches your biggest travel-day stress (feeding, sleep, or just keeping track of everyone), and build out from there.
What’s the one thing you never travel without? I’d love to add to this list.