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1. A BabyBjorn Travel Crib parents say is worth the investment because it's easy to set up and take down — while giving little ones a comfy place to sleep, even in a cramped hotel room. It also folds up small enough to fit in a carry-on bag!
Promising review: "I am so glad I purchased this. My little one (15 months) had a very hard time sleeping in the traditional pack 'n play that we had — plus it was always so tough to set up and take down. This crib is AMAZING. Not only did it take like 10 seconds with minimal effort to put up and take down, but my son slept just like he was at home in his normal crib. The mattress is soft and comfortable (based on my son’s ability to fall asleep so quickly). The crib also is a great size and doesn’t take up a lot of space (considering if you’re staying in a traditional hotel room). If you are considering getting a new travel crib, GET THIS ONE! We are so grateful we did!" —Megan
Get it from Amazon for $279.99 (available in two colors).
2. A Games on the Go set filled with 50 different activities, including guessing games, memory challenges, trivia questions, word games, searching games, and more so you don't have to ever hear the dreaded "Are we there yet?!?" question.
Promising reviews: "Super fun for games for traveling with my kids (aged 5 and 14) across country. I'll leave this in the car permanently." —Elizabeth A. Hurst
"For a quick and convenient game that can literally be taken anywhere, this game is perfect! The cost was great and the games are fun, quick, and can be played by kids and adults of all ages. I would love to see families pulling these cards out while waiting for dinner at a restaurant or while sitting in the subway together rather than everyone pulling out their iPhones! These fun interactive games will get the whole family talking and playing together. Love it! I did notice that on a couple of the cards my daughter, who’s 8 years old, had to read the card a couple of times or hand it to me to explain to her, but once I read the directions she was good to go. Overall, a great purchase!" —Julie
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
3. A stroller so lightweight and compact it can fit in the overhead bin on a plane. This means you don't have to wait around for it to be retrieved from storage after you deplane. You can just open the stroller and go.
It folds up so small that it was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and it only weighs 9.5 pounds.
Promising review: "This is a must-have for all parents with toddlers, especially if you are going on a trip. We went to a place where they do not recommend a stroller because it’s too bulky and gets in your way. Well, using this was not a problem at all. People were amazed how this thing works, and it’s really handy. Very easy to fold. Very light and not space consuming in your trunk! Love it so much!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $159.96+ (available in three styles and two colors).
4. And a stroller cover you can throw over the stroller when it starts to downpour out of nowhere in the afternoon, because it somehow always does that when you're on a trip. Your kiddo will stay dry and protected while you run to buy one of those ponchos you only wear on vacation.
Promising review: "A must-have for vacations. This rain cover and mosquito net was perfect for our vacation! It fit over our stroller nicely and was great for the two-day trip we took to Cincinnati as some days we used the net and one day it rained when we went to the zoo so we used the cover! The baby didn't get overheated inside and was a happy camper since he could see through it. Very easy to use and worth every penny!"—Tlake33111
Get it from Amazon for $16.90+ (available in two colors).
5. A Montessori busy board with a variety of zippers, buttons, laces, and buckles your toddler can play with to stay occupied during the flight. It folds up and has handles, which makes it easy to take with you anywhere.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this busy board! We bought this to keep our 1-year-old distracted on a 3.5-hour airplane ride. She absolutely loved it and couldn’t stop playing with it. We tied it to the seat tray so it didn’t slide all over. It is easy to carry, fits into a backpack no issue, and I love that it is all one piece — no tiny pieces to misplace!"—LEG 585
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in three colors).
6. A JetKids ride-on carry-on suitcase I'm pretty sure is about to become your travel product. Not only does it have wheels, but it's designed so your toddler can sit on it, making it easy for you to wheel them through the airport. Then when you get on the flight, it easily transforms into a leg rest or in-flight bed to keep your kids comfy while in the air. How neat is that???
It's recommended for kids ages 3–7 and fits most standard economy seats. Plus, it has an adjustable strap so you can carry it over your shoulder, a top handle, and a mattress inside that can be removed and used while in flight. Parents have even used this product while in the airport waiting for the flight to keep their kids comfy and happy.
Promising review: "Traveling with a toddler is always a challenge, but comfort is key, and this little magic package makes the airport trip that much smoother. We can store small toys, a pillow, and one throw blanket for our family of three. Great idea and great buy. We will be using this until it breaks." —TifferTheTrend
Get it from Amazon for $229 (available in five colors).
7. Or a Lugabug travel seat if you already have enough luggage but still want a way to tote your tot through the airpot. You can actually attach this to a carry-on suitcase and give your child a place to sit back and relax as you scramble across the entire airport to make your connecting flight.
It's recommended for kids two and up and can hold up to 50 pounds.
Promising review: "I purchased and used this for a two-week trip to Europe with my 4.5-year-old. It was an absolute dream! My daughter no longer uses a stroller but gets restless in long lines and struggles with those mad dashes to catch a train or connecting flight. I looked at the cool ride-along suitcases for kids. But they just added another piece of luggage with little storage. This device was not only much cheaper than those suitcases, but it was more practical for us. I was skeptical, so I ordered it early enough to try at home. I highly recommend this so you really have a chance to get it adjusted to fit your kids well. We were able to pack just one large suitcase with our items combined. The device fit easily in the front pocket when we weren't using it. It was an absolute dream and eliminated so much travel stress. Durable, comfortable, and worth every penny. 100% satisfied!" —Dawn
Get it from Amazon for $47.50.
8. A beach tent that comes fully assembled — you can ~pop~ it open as soon as you arrive at the beach to give your little one a shaded area to play or even sleep. Parents love this option because it means you don't have to retreat to your room when nap time rolls around.
Promising review: "This was the best investment I made for our beach vacation with a 1-year-old! She was able to take her naps at normal time so we weren’t packing up to go back and forth. The extended floor was so nice to keep sand out and be able to sit and play with her. Holding onto it for the next trip, and I would definitely recommend to anyone traveling with a baby or toddler!" —Heather
Get it from Amazon for $28.78+ (available in blue and green).
9. A compact portable charger you can actually use with both an iPhone or iPad, which you already know will be your saving graces on the trip. Nobody needs to hear or see the tantrum that your child (or even you) would throw if either of those devices died. Plus, this style doesn't need a cord to make work, which means your little one can keep on playing their game without a cord making it harder to hold in their little hands.
It's able to charge an iPhone 8 1.5 times and a iPhone X one full time on a full charge.
Promising reviews: "I bought this for a cross-country road trip for our toddler's iPad. It kept it charging when running low and was at full charge even when using it. Definitely worth it and kept our little guy a happy camper as we traveled as he didn’t have a dead iPad. 😊" —Kailey Salinas
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in six colors).
10. A set of compression cubes if your family is simply incapable of packing light, no matter how many times you tell them they won't need 12 shirts for a five-day trip. These are designed to compress the air out as you zip them closed, meaning you'll have more room in your luggage for those souvenirs your kids insist they "need."
Promising review: "I took my family of five to Disney in September and bought these packing/compression cubes. They were LIFESAVING for us. Well, maybe not literally but...trying to pack stuff for five people for nine days into two bags was a challenge. These packing cubes made it possible with a little room to spare for those precious souvenirs! We bought two of the three-packs rather than the larger pack because we didn't need the toiletry bag or the shoe bag. It worked out perfectly." —Tiffany H.
Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in packs of two, four, or six and in nine colors/designs).
11. And some laundry soap sheets for when your kids *do* go through 12 shirts in five days because they seem to spill on themselves at every meal. You'll be able to wash anything that needs a little refresh so they can sport the outfit again.
Promising review: "Amazing. Took them on vacation so I could pack light. These worked great! My daughter was covered in mud one day and these took out all of it. Will be ordering them for future trips! Keep in mind you do not get a ton of suds but your clothes still come out clean and smell good." —Maggie Dennis
Get it from Amazon for $9.02 (also available in a hand soap style).
12. A hanging toiletry bag where you can store everything you and your kids are going to need during the trip. Reviewers say this amazingly fits alll their skincare, makeup, *and* haircare products in one compact bag. Plus, it has a hook on the top, so you can hang it from the towel rack so little hands can reach the bottom pouch!
Promising review: "I am OBSESSED with this. It was so nice to have a bag I could just hang from the towel rack and keep organized instead of having to dig to the bottom of a deep bag. My kids could also reach the bottom pouch to get out the things they needed. I like that there are mesh pockets for organization inside plastic, waterproof zippers. Plus, it just looks nice!" —bebeslo
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in six colors).
13. A kid-size neck pillow specifically designed to fit around their necks so they can comfortably sleep either on a flight or in a car. It will also prevent that bobblehead action that happens when they oh-so cutely try and avoid sleep. "I swear I'm not tired!!" 😴😴😴
Promising review: "We bought this for our 3-year-old for an extra-long car trip, and it was amazing! It supported her head well, and she said it was cozy and soft. It allowed her to actually sleep on the car trip whereas before her nap was completely ruined because her head wouldn't stop falling down and waking her up, and she was miserable. Highly recommend!" —R. Thompson
Get it from Amazon for $34.97 (available in two sizes for kids 3-7 and 8-12 and in six colors).
14. An inflatable foot rest so your kids have the ability to keep their feet up on long flights. And if they're small enough, they can even lie down completely to sleep more comfortably!
The foot rest can be inflated to three heights and comes with an eye mask, earplugs, dust cover, and drawstring bag.
Promising review: "We bought two of these for a long flight with our kids. We wanted to allow them to rest as easily as possible. They were easy to inflate and fit perfectly to fill the foot space between their seat and the seat in front of them to create a small 'bed.' Our kids loved being able to lay down a little bit more to rest. At the end of the flight, they deflated easily and packed back up in the bag. We will use these again for future flights, and we will have to try them in the car." —Birrell
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors).
15. BuddyPhones foldable headphones were actually designed with a built-in volume limiting circuitry so you'll know for sure that the sound won't hurt their ears. They'll be able to watch Paw Patrol on the flight without having the rest of the plane hear exactly what's happening in the episode.
Promising review: "Bought these for my son so he can play on his LeapPad when we're traveling without distracting the driver (me). He loves them, and I love the fact he can't turn it up too loud and hurt his ears. That was my number one concern about buying ANY type of headphones for him originally. These work great!" —ROlive
Get them from Amazon for $24.99 (available in seven colors and styles).
16. A spinning snack container perfect for helping you bring multiple snacks with you, while only using one single container. Your toddler can press the middle button until it opens on the snack they currently want.
Promising review: "This thing is SUPER handy for plane and car travel with kids. We took one of these on a 4-hour flight to California, and it kept my 1- and 4-year-olds enthralled for several minutes. My only regret is that I did not have a second one so that each kid could have their own so they could stop fighting over one. Highly recommend. I will be taking one or two on all future trips with the kids." —rwspoon
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in two colors).
17. A bug bite suction tool because bug bites ~suck~ no matter where and when you and your kids get them, and this genius tool will relieve any itchiness in as little as 30 seconds.
Promising review: "I got this just in time for a family camping trip, as my child and I are both highly allergic to mosquitoes, and the bites swell up very badly. We both used this on our bites, and I am shocked at the results! The bites did not swell up like they normally do and the itching was reduced to a minimum. I am absolutely sold and would recommend this product to anyone with bug bite issues!" —dzmom
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).
18. A Melissa & Doug Water Wow! pad for a fun and mess-free activity to keep your child occupied. Each pad has four reusable pages and it comes with a refillable water pen that brings the "magic" colors to life. As an added bonus, you won't have to worry about getting marker or crayon all over the tray table.
Promising review: "I love these water books! I bought a couple recently for my 2- and 4-year-olds to use on a road trip. I wasn’t that impressed when I got the books and figured they wouldn’t get much use, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. My kids love these books and use them over and over! I love the fact that there’s zero mess. I bought four more to give my kids more options." —Loni
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 16 bundles).
19. A Solar Buddies refillable roll-on sunscreen applicator which is about to change your life forever. You'll no longer struggle to apply sunscreen on your kids (no matter their ages). All you have to do is add a squirt of sunscreen to the bottle and use the sponge on the other end to seamlessly apply it. Plus, your hands won't get all messy!
And if you want to see it in action, check out how easy it is to apply sunscreen in this TikTok video.
Promising reviews: "Bought and used these for a trip to Universal in Florida. So handy to apply sunscreen. No leaks and easy application." —Nancy
"Trust me, this is worth every penny! I knew this would make life SO MUCH easier when it comes to putting sunscreen on myself and my kids. I have to say, I am NOT disappointed!! The wait was 100% worth it!! The sunscreen goes on so smoothly and evenly, and I feel like I will be saving soooo much sunscreen now that I'm not just squirting a huge glob in my hands and spending so much time trying to rub in a ridiculous amount into mine and my children's skin. Also, my sister-in-law hates the feel of sunscreen on her hands, so this was perfect for her. My only regret is that I wish I would have bought a couple more so that I could have different ones for each of the sunscreens we use! But I will be recommending these to everyone! THANK YOU!!" —Carmen
Get it from Amazon for $23.98+ (available in four colors and also in three-packs).
20. And a set of sunscreen reminder stickers that will let you know when it's time to reapply sunscreen so you and your kids don't get burnt. These helpful little things are waterproof and made to last for up to 12 hours (and/or six sunscreen applications). If the sticker is clear, you're in the clear (aka, your sunscreen is working), but as soon as the sticker turns purple, it's time to reapply. Then after you do, it will turn back to clear.
Promising review: "These were so easy to use, sheer, and stayed on even through full beach days with sun, sand, ocean, and pool. The best part was that it got my kids WANTING to put sunscreen on and reminding me that they needed to reapply!! I thought the price was a bit high, but given that they can be used for more than one day and most importantly got my kids excited about sunscreen, I think they are totally worth it!" —PV
Get a 32-count from Amazon for $25.99.
21. A sunburn soother if your kids somehow still get a little red during the trip. It's made with aloe and coconut oil to help soothe pain, redness, and swelling, and give your kids a little relief so they don't end up complaining their skin hurts during the rest of the trip.
22. A stroller fan with bendable legs you can wrap around a stroller, car seat, or anything else to keep your kids cool, even if it's so hot they feel like they're "melting."
Promising review: "This fan was so perfect for our trip to Disney World! Powerful little fan! The heat was pretty much unbearable but this fan kept our littlest one cooled off. The LED light was perfect at night for seeing where we were walking. Make sure you bring a power bank though for extended use. It really saved us."—Kimmy
Get it from Amazon for $23.19+ (available in three colors).
23. A Tushbaby hip carrier parents swear by for helping them hold their baby or toddler for an extended period of time. It also has multiple pockets, so you can stash a few diapers and things inside and not need to carry around a heavy diaper bag in addition to your child while you're out exploring a new city.
It's recommended for children between 8 and 45 pounds and can be used in four different holding positions — feeding/breastfeeding, side carrying, front facing, and face-to-face. Tushbaby is a small business you may have seen on SharkTank.
Check out a TikTok of the Tushbaby hip seat baby carrier.
Promising review: "Seriously a lifesaver (or at the very least a lower back-saver). Took this on an international trip with my toddler and used it to carry them around any time they didn't want to be in the stroller. The pockets are so spacious — I was able to use this instead of a purse and fit a Ziploc bag with a couple of diapers, wipes, changing mat and a spare onesie, as well as my phone, cash, and cards. I cannot tell you how helpful it is to not have a giant diaper bag to contend with when you're trying to change your squirmy toddler in an airplane bathroom the size of a broom closet. It's not a hands-free solution (obviously), but I much prefer it over bulky traditional baby carriers with their million straps and buckles." —A Moff
Get it from Amazon for $84.99 (available in two styles and four colors).
24. A portable lock box you can secure around two beach chairs to stash your wallet and phone in as you head into the ocean to swim and play with your little ones — no more worrying about someone grabbing your stuff when you're making memories you and your kids will cherish forever!
You can also use this in your room to keep valuables protected.
Promising review: "This worked exactly like I hoped it would. We go to Maui often and we always leave someone on the beach when we go into the water. This time it was just my son and myself, so I found this little gem. I would put both of our cellphones and my wallet in there, loop in through two beach chairs and his backpack (with a bazillion $ worth of quadcopter stuff in it) and in we went. This way we could swim and ride the waves without having to keep an extra eye on our stuff. Who could quietly sneak away two clunky fold up chairs hooked together with a heavy backpack without making a big ruckus? I even chose pink because it's so noticeable. The lock mechanism works great, and it even has a key on a wristband as a backup. I definitely recommend this item." —Annette
Get it from Amazon for $44.95+ (available in six colors).
25. An inflatable booster seat perfect to use in cabs, Ubers, or any other mode of transportation you're going to take. It also comes with a seat-belt positioning clip to ensure your child is comfortable and safe.
It's recommended for kids ages 4–11 or 40–100 lbs.
Promising review: "I had my doubts initially but decided to order this for a trip with our five-year-old. I’m so glad I did! It worked great and was super convenient. It collapses quickly and is light so I carried it in my carry-on bag and then was able to quickly inflate while waiting for our ride share. It positioned my child appropriately for the seat belt, and I was especially impressed with the shoulder strap positioning, which is not even a feature on many normal backless boosters. It was so helpful to not have to worry about ordering and waiting for a car with car seats/boosters." —LynnS
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four styles).
26. A pack of collapsible pails to bring along on your next beach vacation so you don't have to ~shell~ out too much money. Since the pails collapse, they'll take up way less space in your luggage and can be used over and over and over again.
Promising review: "We travel a lot, carry-on backpack only style. I try to find ways to not over stuff my bag as I don’t like to check bags. With this collapsing bucket, my son is now able to take beach toys to the beach. Before we didn’t pack sand bucket because they took up too much space. These are perfect for travel." —Khrys Monet
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three sizes).
27. A travel tray so your kid has a little place for them to draw, eat, or play with toys in the car or on a plane. It has a tablet-viewing stand, a cup holder, a dry-erase board that doubles as an eating tray, and storage pockets for markers and toys. Genius!
Promising review: "Literal must-have for traveling with kids. We use this on long car trips or vacations. It’s a great place to color and keep markers and pencils close, and it's also great for eating in the car. Many vacations we grab fast food to eat while we are driving, and it’s so much easier for the kids to eat with this tray that keeps all their snacks and food close to them. I honestly don’t know how we traveled without this!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $28.95 (available in eight styles).
28. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount you can use on more than just the airplane — it can mount on basically any surface from the tray table, arm of a chair, or even a suitcase handle for an easy way to keep your kid occupied when the flight is delayed...again.
Promising review: "Essential for traveling with young kids! This thing is clutch. Just traveled with my almost 3-year-old. We used the item for my iPhone so she could watch shows and movies on the flight. Very sturdy, holds its position well. Versatile positions. Highly recommend." —ellierae
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in three colors).
29. A pack of toilet seat covers so you're ~covered~ when you get into a public restroom with your toddler and see their little hands go directly to the gross restroom seat. 😳
Promising review: "LOOOOOOVE THESE. I bought these for my recent Disney trip. They are huge, they cover the entire seat with a little extra, so there’s zero worrying over touching the seat. And best of all, they’re a good paper material. It’s thick, unlike the paper-thin one’s you’d find in the stalls at Disney. An absolute must for moms since kids don’t fit on the seat all that great; or like mine who puts her hands on the seat. Even with no kids, if you hate public restrooms like I do, just put like two or three in your bag for the day and you’re golden." —Stephanie Toledo
Get a pack of 24 covers at Amazon for $9.49.
30. A portable white-noise machine that'll work hard while your kids sleep at night to block all the noises that come with staying in a hotel room. (Looking at you, elevator and ice machine!!!!!)
Promising review: "We bought these for a trip as sound machines for our kids. The volume goes very high, drowning out any outside noise. And the battery lasted forever without having to be plugged in and charged. Great size for traveling or just even having around the house!" —Kate Schnabel
Get it from Amazon for $25.35+ (available in four styles).
31. An inflatable travel bed great for kids that are too big for a pack 'n play yet too small for a full-sized bed. With this, they'll have a comfy place to sleep at night, and you won't have to sleep with their body sprawled over your face (as that somehow always happens when they sleep in bed with you).
It's recommended for kids ages 3–6 years old.
Promising review: "Just buy it! This has been the best travel purchase for our family. Our 3-year-old slept so well, and so did we knowing he was secure in a cozy spot. No more getting kicked by a toddler in the middle of the night! Parents can actually get some rest on vacations! We do have an electric inflation pump, which I would recommend. VERY happy with this toddler travel bed." —C. Callaway
Get it from Amazon for $45.75.
32. AirFly, a wireless transmitter that'll connect your AirPods (or any other wireless headphones) to the headphone jack on the flight so your little one can enjoy all the free in-flight entertainment. They can finally watch that movie you *totally* wanted to take them to the theater to see but never actually made it to.
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Promising review: "We bought this for our road trip so that both of our kids could watch a movie from the iPad with wireless headphones. Pairing both sets of headphones was very easy. A great buy!" —Anthony Saman
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three styles).
33. An anti-chafing balm you can glide on your kids who are too busy running and playing in and out of the water to realize they're getting a rash from chafing. This may just save your whole vacation.
Promising review: "This stuff saved our beach vacation. My son always gets nasty chafe and rub rash from playing in the water and then running around in his wet shorts. Usually halfway through the day he's ready to go because it stings so bad, then it's going home slathering the rash with Desitin while he sits on the couch. We put this on his inner thighs every day before we went to the beach and never even had pinkish skin, never mind a rash!! It's very dry, non-greasy, and goes on smooth and colorless, just like a deodorant, with no scent either. It's absolutely a lifesaver!!!" —C. Millin
Get it from Amazon for $8 (available in three sizes).
34. Or an anti-blister balm if your vacation is more walking than playing at the beach. You can slide this all over your kids' feet to prevent any blisters from wearing shoes all day long.
Promising review: "My family goes to Disney World every year and even with rotating shoes every other day we still get blisters. I bought this before our trip two months ago and it was worth every penny. We rubbed it all over the top, bottom, and sides of our feet and toes each morning and our feet did not blister! I highly recommend this product for long Disney days or any time you will be on your feet for a long period of time." —Cari Sanders
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
35. A freezable snack box designed with built-in cooling technology that you can fill with snacks that will stay cold all day long, even if your flight's delayed or you don't make it back to your hotel to regroup like you were planning on. Reviewers say this is not only great for storing snacks for littles, but also for people with food allergies, and even breastfeeding people who need to store milk while away from home.
Promising review: "This kept snacks cold in 95-degree weather for about 8 hours. Kept our kids happy with snacks at Disney!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12.04+ (available in 12 colors and prints).
Reviewers have been edited for length and/or clarity.