Travel Writer Approved …

Kid Gear

When I’m packing kid gear, I want items that are going to make the trip easier for me and for my kids. That starts with items that serve multi-purposes and gear that won’t weigh me down or slow me down. These are the few items that made that cut for me, and they’re items I recommend very highly for anyone traveling with kids.

Joolz Air 2

This is hands-down the best stroller I have ever used for traveling with toddlers. With just a press of a button, I can pop it open and fold it with just one hand, and it’s very lightweight. I’ve tested so many other brands, but this has been the only one that I use while traveling with my kids because it makes it easy for me to navigate Metros, trains, airports, and European cobblestones without struggling to fold, refold, and juggle what I’m holding.

Buggy Board Mini

I started using this universal Buggy Board with my kids when I took my first overseas trip with them, and it has now become my life saver for traveling with a toddler who can walk far … but not that far. This is my make-shift double stroller, where my 6 year old still rides on the back when he gets tired of walking, and when he’s not using it, it just clips up so it’s out of the way.

Post-It Super Sticky Notes

Post-It Nots bring doodling entertainment and sticker fun all in one! My kids love stickers, but these don’t leave behind any sticky residue, which is great for airplanes or trains since you can just stick them all over and throw them away when you’re done. My daughter also likes to put the little flag ones on my face … again, no sticky residue! I love that no one cries if a Post-It not gets lost in the seat or when they get thrown away.

Writing Pad

When I was younger, I always traveled with a journal and a pen to draw, doodle, or practice writing. These little writing pads are genius, because they’re reusable and the pen is attached. I put one in everyone’s backpacks and we all write notes to each other, play Tic-Tac-Toe, or give each other high fives by tracing our hands and passing them back and forth.

Organic Lollipops + Vitamin C

My kids call these “Landing Lollipops,” because they know, as soon as the pilot says we’re about to descend, I start asking which flavor they want. Lollipops are my biggest mom hack for airline travel (and these have Vitamin C, which never hurts while traveling). That descent is a tough time for kids; cabin pressure is changing, ears are trying to equalize, and they can’t even get to their stuff because it’s supposed to be under the seat. Enter the Landing Lollipop. It encourages kids to swallow so their ears can equalize, but it’s also fun and gives them something to do while they’re … not …. quite … there … yet.

Reusable Sticker Book

Sticker books are not all created equal. I like these reusable stickers because they don’t leave any residue when they’re stuck to places like windows, airplane seats, etc. The book itself even becomes a backdrop for kids to explore, stick, and create.

Duck Tape

I start using Duck Tape before I even leave the house on family vacations. We chose a single color that’s our family’s color, and we tag every piece of luggage we’re bringing with us. That way my kids can be part of finding bags at baggage claim (“look for our color Duck Tape on the handle!”). I don’t bring the whole roll with me, but I do wrap a few feet of this around a pencil or pen and throw that in my suitcase so I have some Duck Tape for my hotel room. It’s great for baby-proofing the outlets (tape over them) and electrical chords (tape them up), but it also works as a makeshift blackout curtain since you can tape the curtains together and cover up all those annoying lights that light up the room at night.

Notebook & Pen

I love a travel journal, and even for kids who can’t read or write yet, it’s just fun to have a place to keep the trip’s memory alive. I put one in each kid’s backpacks and it’s now theirs to doodle, scrapbook, or stash tickets in throughout the trip. Makes a great little trip memento as well!

Origami Paper “Fortune Teller” Kit

My go-to boredom buster has always been making these little origami fortune tellers. No, you don’t need a kit to make one of these, but if you didn’t spend your middle school career folding paper and writing hilarious fortunes inside of them like I did, then this kit is for you. My kids love creating their own “fortunes,” like “You will find $5” or “Your feet will smell like pizza.”