Traveling with kids can be a breeze if you’re well-prepared! To ensure you’re ready for your next family holiday, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 must-have travel gadgets for traveling with kids. These gadgets will undoubtedly make your life easier and your trip more enjoyable.
Top 10 Must-Have Travel Gadgets for Kids
1. iPad
At the top of our list is the trusty iPad. This gadget is indispensable for long flights, car rides, and even those tedious customs lines. It’s also a lifesaver for jet-lagged kids who can’t sleep. Just make sure to download books, games, and movies that can be watched offline to avoid any potential issues.
2. Action Cam
Family holidays create unforgettable memories, and what better way to capture them than with an action cam? We don’t all have photographic memories, so having a good camera on hand is essential. On our last family trip to the States, we brought along the TomTom Bandit action cam. Its compact size and user-friendly interface allowed us and our oldest child to easily record our adventures. Watching these videos lets us relive our holiday over and over again.
3. Hammock Bed for Kids
Do you have a child aged 2 years or older? If so, we have the perfect travel gadget for you – the FlyLegsUp. This device transforms into a hammock bed that attaches to your table, providing a comfortable sleeping space for your child. This allows you to enjoy your dinner, sip some wine, and watch your favorite series. It’s an essential item on this list of travel gadgets for kids!
4. Insulated Water Bottle
Whether you’re traveling with babies or toddlers, having an insulated water bottle is a must. During our hikes in National Parks and explorations in the jungles of Thailand, a cold sip of water was the biggest treat. We recommend Sigg bottles, which keep hot water hot and cold water cold. They’re also very durable, making them a long-lasting investment.
5. Kids Carrier and Stroller
Once you’ve reached your holiday destination, you’ll want to relax and explore your new surroundings. To do this comfortably and safely, we always bring our stroller and kids carrier as carry-on luggage. At the airport, we have one child in the stroller and the other in the carrier. We drop off the stroller at the gate and take the carrier on board. This allows us to have our hands free during the flight, making it easier to eat dinner and read a book. Our baby loved sleeping in the carrier, which was very handy when she outgrew the baby basket but was still too small for her own seat. Check out the best strollers for travelling.
At our destination, we use the stroller for city exploration and the carrier for hikes. For the youngest, we use an Ergobaby baby carrier, and for the oldest, we use a Deuter kid comfort III, a larger kids carrier. Both are very comfortable for the kids and allow you to fully explore nature on your hikes.
5. Kids Cover for iPads
Let’s face it, an iPad is an essential item for any family vacation. To ensure it survives the trip, we recommend using the Kids Cover. This iPad cover is designed specifically for kids, featuring a large handle and an even larger shock bumper. Pair it with a screen protector, and your iPad becomes 100% tantrum-proof!
6. Kids Travel Pillow
Before setting off on your journey, let your kids choose their own travel pillow. Available in a variety of colors, shapes, and animals, these pillows double as cuddly stuffed toys. They’re quite large, so we suggest attaching them to your backpacks for easy access. Perfect for a nap at the airport, in the airplane, in the car, in the RV, or even in bed as a favorite cuddle pillow.
7. Headphones
Imagine hearing the same cartoon soundtrack for the third time in a row. Now imagine hearing it from two different iPads with a one-minute delay. To avoid this scenario and keep your sanity intact, equip your kids with headphones. This way, they can enjoy their shows without disturbing anyone around them.
8. Photo Camera
While we’ve already mentioned the action cam for capturing the best videos, you’ll also want a good photo camera to preserve these precious memories. Sure, you can take photos with your mobile, but the quality of these pictures doesn’t compare to those taken with a dedicated camera, especially when printed in larger formats.
9. Window Stickers
While this may not sound like a high-tech travel gadget, window stickers are a perfect travel accessory for kids. They can be used on any window you come across during your travels – at airports, in the airplane, in the car, in the RV, at the local grocery store, and even in the mall. If your kids start to get bored, just hand them some window stickers and watch as they entertain themselves.
10. Travel Cot: A Must-Have for Parents
Are you travelling with a baby or toddler? If so, the Deryan travel cot is the perfect gadget for you. This portable travel cot comes with an inflatable mattress and an integrated mosquito net. It ensures your little one always has a safe and comfortable place to sleep. It’s not only ideal for a nap in your hotel, apartment, tent, or RV, but also serves as a perfect portable playpen at the beach or swimming pool.
So, there you have it – our top 10 travel gadgets for travelling with kids. These travel gadgets make travelling with kids even more enjoyable and relaxed. Of course, this list could be much longer. For instance, have you considered a portable car seat? What’s your favorite travel gadget when travelling with kids?
Sometimes, bringing your own car seat might seem like the best choice. Before you take off, check out this article on how to travel with car seats.