5 Must-Have Travel Essentials for Family Trips with Kids

After eleven years of traveling with my kids, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a trip go smoothly, especially when you have young ones in tow.

When it comes to packing, I’d love to bring the whole house if I could- but since that’s not exactly practical, I’ve narrowed our travel essentials down to just a few key items we never leave home without, whether we’re boarding a plane or hitting the road.

These aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re my go-to, life-changing travel essentials that keep us organized, calm, and ready for anything.

What I love most about these items? They’re simple, affordable, and truly make a difference.

They’ve saved us from countless meltdowns, kept everyone entertained, and made packing feel less like a chore.

So here they are: my top five must-have travel items that have changed the way we travel as a family. I hope they bring a little more ease and joy to your travels, too!

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1. Packing Cubes

When I started packing with packing cubes my entire travel experience changed.

Here’s why I LOVE using packing cubes:

• Keeps Everything Organized: Not only do packing cubes help you stay organized when packing, but they also keep your suitcase neat throughout your entire trip.

• Separate Packing for Each Family Member: Each person has their own labeled packing cube, making it easy to stay organized as a family.

• Option for Category-Based Packing: You can even have specific cubes for categories like swimsuits, pajamas, shoes, etc.

• Easy Access to Essentials: With packing cubes, you can quickly find exactly what you need without digging through everything.

• Simplifies Unpacking: Unpacking is a breeze since everything is already sorted.

I’ve tried many different brands over the years. If you’re new to packing cubes, I suggest starting with an affordable set to get a feel for what works best for you.

Here are a few things I look for when choosing packing cubes:

• Durability: Your packing cubes should be able to handle being stuffed, tossed around, and moved from place to place without ripping.

• Variety of Sizes: It’s helpful to have different sizes available—larger cubes for items like pants and sweatshirts, and smaller ones for undergarments and accessories.

• Color Options: Color-coded cubes make it even easier to organize and quickly identify everyone’s belongings.

• Price: You don’t have to spend a fortune on packing cubes. Look for a set that meets your needs in terms of color, size variety, and cost.

Here are some packing cubes I use and highly recommend:

• BAGAIL 6-set packing cubes

• VEKEN 6-set packing cubes

• SHACKE PAK 5-set packing cubes

These packing cube sets have made packing and traveling so much easier for my family and me!

🌟 Packing for kids of different ages can add a whole other layer to travel prep! For more strategies, take a look at my tips for traveling with kids of different ages to make packing and planning easier for your family! 🌟

2. Sound Machines

Since we rely on sound machines at home to help everyone sleep soundly, they’re an essential part of our packing list when we travel. 😴

Our go-to is the LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine, which has become a lifesaver on trips. These are also the sound machines we use at home, too!

Here’s why I won’t leave home without it:

• Blocks Out Unwanted Noise: Perfect for unfamiliar places where unexpected sounds can disrupt sleep.

• Compact and Lightweight: Small enough to fit in any suitcase, so it doesn’t take up precious space.

• Variety of Sound Options: With multiple white noise and fan settings, it’s easy to find the perfect background noise.

• Improves Sleep for Everyone: Helps the entire family fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

➡️ I usually bring more than one with us depending on how many bedrooms or sleeping spaces we have.

For sound on the go, I love the LectroFan Micro2. This little device is a game-changer for naps in the car, stroller, or any place we need a quick sleep solution on the move.

Here’s why it’s my top choice for portable white noise:

• Ultra-Portable: It’s small enough to fit in my purse, so I can literally take it anywhere.

• Cord-Free Convenience: No need to plug it in, making it ideal for car rides or stroller naps.

• Bluetooth Enabled: It doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, so we can use it for music, podcasts, or audiobooks.

• Lightweight and Easy to Recharge: The USB charging port makes recharging on the go super simple

These sound machines have made such a difference in keeping everyone rested and ready for adventures, no matter where we are.

🌟One of the biggest struggles with traveling is making sure everyone gets a good night’s sleep, especially after a long travel day. If you’re gearing up for one, check out my tips on how to survive a long travel day for a smoother journey.🌟

3. Slumberpod

A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon the SlumberPod—a breathable blackout tent that fits perfectly over a pack ‘n play or travel crib—and it has been a game-changer for our family trips. 🙌

Anyone who’s had to share a room with a baby or toddler knows the struggle of trying to keep things dark and quiet enough for them to sleep.

Before the SlumberPod, I’d spend way too much time trying to make the room pitch-black for nap time, covering windows, or making the whole family tiptoe around as soon as the lights went out.

But once we tried the SlumberPod, I knew our travels had changed for the better!

Some of the amazing benefits of the SlumberPod include:

• No More Makeshift Darkness: Gone are the days of trying to tape up blankets over windows or rearrange furniture to make a dark area. With the SlumberPod, it’s an instant darkened space that’s perfect for naps, no matter how bright the room is.

• Freedom to Keep the Lights On: One of my favorite things about the SlumberPod is that it allows us to put little brother to bed without forcing everyone else to go to sleep at the same time. We can stay up, chat, and even watch TV with the lights on—all while little bro sleeps soundly in his own cozy, darkened space.

• Compact and Easy to Pack: The SlumberPod folds up neatly and weighs just about 5 pounds in its case, making it easy to take along on a road trip or even pack in a suitcase for flights.

For us, the SlumberPod has truly made family travel easier and more enjoyable.

If you’re traveling with a little one and sharing a room, it’s one of those items that I’d highly recommend.

It’s given us back our evenings, allowed the older boys to stay up and enjoy some more hotel time, made naps while traveling much simpler, and given our kids the comfort of a peaceful, dark space to sleep—even far from home.

YOUR NEXT FAMILY TRIP JUST GOT EASIER: 10 Game Changing Tips for Traveling with Kids

4. White Plastic Storage Bins with Handles

I have to admit, I’m a bit obsessed with these white plastic storage bins from The Container Store.

They’re a staple in our home, car, and packing routine, and I honestly can’t imagine traveling without them.

Here’s why I absolutely love them:

• Sleek and Stylish: They look neat and organized, which is a big plus when you’re trying to keep things tidy during your travels.

• Easy to Label: Whether I’m storing snacks, toiletries, or kids’ essentials, I can quickly label each bin so everyone knows where to find what they need.

• Versatile Storage: These bins are perfect for holding all sorts of items—snacks, water bottles, baby supplies, cleaning products, and so much more.

• Contain the Chaos: They help keep everything contained, which is a lifesaver when you’re juggling multiple kids and gear while traveling.

• Convenient Handles: The handles make it so easy to carry them into hotel rooms, vacation rentals, or anywhere we’re staying. No more juggling a bunch of loose items!

• Four Sizes to Choose From: They come in four different sizes, so I can pick the right one for whatever we need to store.

• Helps with Transitions: As we move from the car to the hotel or rental, these bins keep everything organized and easy to transport, ensuring that we’re not losing track of anything.

These bins have been a game-changer for keeping our travel essentials organized, and I couldn’t recommend them enough for any family on the go!

P.S. I use them to organize items all over my house too! 😉

5. Insulated Travel Soft Cooler Bag

One of my must-have items that I use almost daily—whether we’re traveling or not—is this Hydro Flask Insulated Travel Cooler bag. I seriously can’t get enough of it.

While it’s great for all of our travel adventures, it’s just as useful for everyday outings, especially during the summer months.

We take this bag everywhere—from parks and zoos to the pool and all of our other summer adventures.

Here are some of the reasons why I love this insulated soft cooler bag.

• Incredibly Durable: I’ve been using this cooler bag for a couple of years now, and even with all the wear and tear from daily summer use, it still looks great and works perfectly. It’s one of those items that just keeps going strong.

• Easy to Carry: The bag comes with two side handle straps and an adjustable shoulder strap, so I can choose how I want to carry it. Whether I’m hauling it to the pool or lugging it to a picnic, it makes life easier.

• Perfectly Insulated: The inside of the bag is insulated, which is a lifesaver for keeping our snacks, drinks, and picnic foods cool—even on the hottest days.

• Versatile for Road Trips and Picnics: It’s also fantastic for keeping drinks cool in the car during long trips or for packing up a picnic. Whether we’re headed out for a family day or a weekend road trip, this bag keeps everything at the right temperature.

These are my current must-haves for family travel. While I have plenty of other travel items that I love, these five truly keep me sane and help ensure that our trips go smoothly.

With the right organization and a good night’s sleep, we can tackle any adventure that comes our way!

What about you? What’s your favorite travel item? I’d love to hear about it—leave a comment below!

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May you love your adventure. KW