BEST Travel Essentials when Traveling with Young Kids

We just got back from back to back road trips with the boys. Since they have been out of school, we have gone on three big trips and I have learned A LOT about what works best when traveling with young kids. We have flown, experienced delayed flight times, driven 9 plus hours solo with the boys, and after 2 days of being at home got back in the car for another 9 hour car ride! Needless to say, we have been on a lot of fun adventures and have seen some of our favorite people and are definitetly taking advantage of summer break!

The things that I learned this go around…you don’t need as much as you think you do. I remember traveling with the boys when they were babies and boy, did I pack a TON just in case we needed it. I am talking toys, pack and plays, activity mats and all.the.things. while you definitely need more things when they are babies, simplifying it when they get older is the way to go.

My top items I recommend when traveling with young kids to make your life easier! They are all linked in this liketoknow.it post but I will explain more here.

1. Lululemon Fanny Pack: I would like to think I was ahead of this trend (ha!), I have had my trusty fanny pack for a couple years now and it still is my favorite, must have item when traveling (or really everyday!). It was a lifesaver when at the airport as my ID and phone were easily accessible and a game changer when traveling alone with the boys as I had two hands free to hold. I also loop my keys around the band so I am even more handsfree.

2. Travel bins: This is a recommendation from my friend, Ashley and I loved them for traveling in the car. They are only $1 each and well worth it. When traveling with the boys, I was able to put their happy meals easily in the trays for easy clean up and eating. When Drew was driving, I was able to put cereal and chips in their bins (simply clean them out with baby wipes) so there was no need for individual baggies. The boys were happy to see their food and it kept things a lot clearer in my opinion.

3. Car Trash Can: I bought this trash can for myself a few Christmases ago as a joke…but it has quickly become one of my favorite things in my car. I keep it in the center console so no one can see it and it allows for quick clean up. They have replacement bags too, but I generally use an old Target bag/grocery bag. Simply throw it out when you get to your destination and put in a new bag!

4. iPad/Kindle Fire: This is a new for me. If you know me, then you know I am not a fan of screen time and try to limit it as much as possible (super old school here, probably stems from watching too much TV as a kid–and I am working on being more lenient). We upgraded our old Kindle fire and downloaded Cars movies from Disney+. After they took a nap, we allow them to watch one movie per long road trip. They were thrilled to watch a movie and it allowed us to have some quiet time. We don’t use headphones (may in the future), as I like to hear what they are watching…we simply put it in the center of my dash for them to watch.

5. “Incentive” bags: These are my favorite travel hack! I went to the Target dollar section, picked up small toys from a local toy store and found fun treats at our destinations to put into an “incentive” bag.

6. Travel cooler/bag: For my solo trip, I placed a cooler in the front seat along with a big tote with the incentive bags and gallon ziplocks filled with healthy snacks, not so healthy snacks and my snacks. It helped organize everything and allowed me to travel with healthier snacks that I could fill their trays with (individual hummus, carrots and pita bread are my go-tos).

7. Easy toys: In the past, my kids love Melissa and Doug color wonder books, the magic color pads and other easy toys. This trip, since they are older, they spent a lot of time chatting with each other and playing with the new toys in their incentive bags. The big winner of toys was search and find books with kept them occupied (we have 4 so they were able to switch them out). Looking at the different pictures and then finding the items kept my boys very entertained. Since I wasn’t able to hand them numerous toys and pads, these books were a lifesaver!

8. Baby wipes/Clorox wipes: Even though I no longer have babies, baby wipes are a must for traveling (and everyday life!). I used baby wipes to wipe down their trays and their faces/hands after meals. Whenever we arrive at our destinations, I usually take a baby wipe to the car as well–since crumbs happen to appear everywhere! Clorox wipes are great to have on hand too especially living in times of covid. Perfect for keeping things extra clean!

9. Big water bottle: I love my Reduce water bottle that fits in my cup holder. It allows my drink to stay cold and keeps me hydrated on the drive. I do have to limit myself to one bottle, since it would be too many water breaks but it is the perfect travel companion. Stanley makes a super cute one, but they are generally out of stock and more expensive. My kids love their thermos water bottles for trips, they don’t leak and fit in the cup holder which is great!

10. Backpacks for kids. I have small backpacks that the boys are allowed to fill up before our trips. They both are allowed to bring along small toys, books, blankeys, and anything else that fits into their backpack–but no more! I set out our travel toy container for them prior to trips and allow them to pick out items, they also bring along hot wheels and monster trucks and other toys! Perfect for them to be accountable for what they choose.