Whether you’re planning a road trip with kids or a long flight somewhere hot and exotic, it’s so important to be well equipped when you travel with kids. Having the right kids’ accessories means it’s easy to transport small children, as well as feeding them and making sure they get a good night’s sleep. With older children, bringing all the necessary kit along is key. You also need to keep them comfortable day and night – if you want everyone to have a happy and peaceful time. To make life easier, we’ve narrowed it down to the essential – and best – travel gadgets for kids. These are the products we’ve tried and tested, that we would recommend to other parents without hesitation.
Best travel gadgets for baby and toddler
There are some of the best gadgets for kids we literally cannot leave home without – such as a baby carrier or stroller – as they are crucial to being able to carry a baby or toddler around. When you’ll be feeding away from home, you’ll need a practical, portable high chair, and if you’re staying overnight, a portable crib of some sort too.
Baby carriers
We’ve found that Ergobaby and Baby Bjorn make the best baby carriers on the market. Let’s begin with Ergobaby. All their carriers are well made, and as the name suggests user comfort is paramount.
Ergobaby
Ergobaby offer a range of carriers that vary in price and specification. At entry level is the Aura Baby Wrap Carrier, an award-winning carrier that can carry a baby from newborn up to a weight of 25 pounds.
Learn more about the Aura Baby Wrap HERE.
Then there is the Ergobaby Embrace, a carrier that combines the softness and flexibility of the Aura with a little more structure and support. Discover more about the Ergobaby Embrace Baby Carrier HERE.
An Original ergonomic carrier with three positions and added lumbar support is next on the Ergobaby list, while the Omni 360 can be used in all carrying positions and features cool air mesh for breathability.
To complete their collection, Ergobaby even offers the Adapt carrier that can take a toddler of up to 45 pounds – yet is also suitable for newborns.
Baby Bjorn
Baby Bjorn is another manufacturer we rate for kids’ travel products, and their range includes three great carriers. The Baby Bjorn Mini baby carrier can be used as a first carrier and is ultra-lightweight as well as super soft.
Next up is the Baby Bjorn Free, featuring three-dimensional mesh fabric that’s perfect for use in hotter climates. It’s easy to put on, can be worn with your baby front or back facing, and has built-in lumbar support.
Baby Bjorn’s baby carrier One Air suits children up to three years old. There are four carrying positions, padded shoulder straps and a supportive waist belt. This one is even International Hip Dysplasia Institute approved.
Strollers
Sometimes, of course, it’s more practical to put your baby or toddler in a stroller than it is to strap them to your back or front. In our experience, the Graco NimbleLite, the GB Pockit and the Babyzen Yolo are the best ones money can buy.
Graco NimbleLite
The Graco Nimble is an easy fold stroller that is ideal for traveling. It weighs just 12lbs (or 5.5kgs). The one-step compact fold provides on-the-go convenience. It also has multi-position, reclining functions making it suitable for babies from birth upwards. It is also compatible with all Graco Infant Car Seats. This stroller has a carry handle and a large storage basket, as well as a drinks holder for busy moms.
See the Graco Nimble stroller HERE.
Babyzen Yoyo
Babyzen’s Yoyo 2 stroller is a model that consistently attracts five star reviews from happy parents. Mom and Dad can make use of a spacious storage basket and zipped back pocket, while a cushioned, multi-positional seat, five point harness and UV protection keep the little one content. This stroller is lightweight and compact, and you can even fold and steer it with one hand.
Check out the Babyzen Yoyo 2 HERE.
GB Pockit+
If you want something a little lighter on your pocket, check out the GB Pockit+ stroller. This one is recommended for taking as hand luggage – ideal if you’re flying and don’t want it to disappear into the aeroplane hold. The GB Pockit+ is designed for children from six months to four years and is simple to reduce in size and volume via the ultra-compact fold system.
View the GB Pockit+ stroller HERE.
Other essential baby travel gadgets
Portable high chair
The Oxo Tot booster seat wins our vote here. Instead of lugging around a heavy, bulky highchair, why not opt for the ultimate in affordable, portable baby seating? This booster seat can be used with any standard dining chair from 15 months upwards. It folds flat easily, and the resulting piece even includes a carry handle. This one is just as good for dining out as it is for taking away on holiday. A three-point harness ensures safety, and these straps can even be removed as your child grows.
Find out more about the OXO Tot booster seat HERE.
Portable crib
The Mamibaby nest makes such a soft and cosy bed for a traveling baby. A reassuringly thick bumper protects your little one during the night or daytime naps, and there is built-in spinal support too. Carry handles make it super easy to take anywhere, while a hidden zipper ensures the cover can be removed for washing. A carry bag is also included.
Read all about the Mamibaby portable crib HERE.
Snoozeshade stroller/car seat cover
When it comes to protecting your baby while on vacation, you cannot go wrong with a stroller and car seat cover. These help protect your baby from the elements while also shading them from the sun and protecting them from wind.
We recommend the Snoozeshade car seat cover and the Snoozeshade stroller cover.
Best travel gadgets for toddlers and kids
Kids that are a little older might just have something to say about their travel kit. So you want something that is attractive to them as well as safe and functional. This is why we’ve selected our family favourites – products that are fun and practical to own. Read on to discover more about the Trunki suitcase, Jetkids bedbox, armrest buddy and more great travel items for kids.
Best travel luggage for kids
Trunki ride on suitcase
Since their appearance on ‘Dragon’s Den’ in the UK in 2006, the manufacturers of Trunki have seen their sales skyrocket – even though they actually secured zero investment on the show. The innovative design of this kids’ ride on suitcase means they want to take care of their own belongings – and that they’ll always have somewhere to sit. They can ride on the Trunki at the airport, and use it as kids’ carry on luggage too. A range of designs includes colourful ladybird, fire truck, bee and tiger cases.
See the Trunki range HERE.
JetKids BedBox
The Jet Kids Bed Box is basically a flight bed that folds down into a handy box in the shape of a suitcase – complete with carry strap. This product can be used as a kids’ ride on luggage, a storage bag and an in-flight bed for children. The case folds open to create a leg rest on the seat, letting your little one sleep away a long flight – or train journey – in peace. We’ve reviewed the Jet Kids Bed Box here.
Read more about the Jet Kids bed box HERE.
Carry-on Scooter Suitcase
A great way to get kids through the airport, while also being responsible for their own carry-on luggage, is to invest in a carry-on scooter suitcase. Combining storage with a scooter, the Kiddietotes Lightweight Carry-on Scooter Suitcase is a travel trolley kids luggage, which is roomy enough for all their gear and designed to deflect and absorb impact so it will last. It is easy to pull along and is designed for kids aged 4 and over. Kids will happily zoom around an airport with one of these!
Discover more about the Kiddietotes carry-on scooter suitcase HERE.
Toddler and kid safety
Mifold booster seat
If you think you need to carry a bulky car booster seat when traveling by car – think again. The Mifold booster seat folds down into a compact pouch that can simply be stored in a bag or the glove box. This clever backless booster is just as safe as a standard one, yet up to ten times lighter. It is designed for kids from around age four up to around 100 pounds and has won a number of awards.
Look at the Mifold booster seat HERE.
Highback Booster Seat
If you want an easy-to-carry highback booster seat but don’t want to bring a full car seat for your toddler or kids, then the Mifold Hifold Fit-and-Fold Highback Booster Seat is a great option. It is the world’s most adjustable booster, with unique “multi-fit” technology that can be adjusted to 243 individual settings. This car seat is designed for kids aged 4 and up, 40-100 lbs., and 40 to 59 inches tall. It has been safety tested (and passed) and can be used in many countries around the world except Australia and Taiwan.
Check out the Mifold Hifold booster seat HERE.
Travel comfort for toddlers and kids
Seat to Sleep® Travel Nest
The Seat to Sleep® Travel Nest is a lightweight, inflatable travel nest pillow that makes long plane journeys even more comfortable for kids. It makes your child’s plane seat more comfortable to allow them to sleep during long-haul flights. Not only does it provide head and neck support for your sleeping child, it also provides padding against the hard arm rest. It inflates and deflates quickly and comes with a small carry bag, ideal for popping inside your carry-on luggage. We used this for our son on flights from Lisbon to Dubai to Bangkok (and back again) and both he and we had plenty of sleep and rest on our flights.
Learn more about the Seat to Sleep® Travel Nest HERE.
Travel pillow
The TravelSnug is a portable insert designed to make flying with a little one more comfortable. It’s a great piece of kids’ travel gear. This cosy, fleecy cushion makes the seat so soft and cosy that they might even sleep for most of the flight, meaning tired parents can get some shut-eye too. There’s a range of appealing colours and designs to choose from, as well as two sizes.
Armrest buddy
Roamwild’s armrest buddy makes traveling more comfortable for kids – and is great fun to boot. ‘Tux’ the penguin transforms any armrest into a cosy, soft pillow, while the blanket rolled up inside keeps them warm. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, coach or car, this washable three-in-one accessory acts as a toy, blanket and pillow.
Discover Roamwild’s Armrest Buddy HERE.
Folding travel toilet seat
For newly trained toddlers, it is advisable to bring a folding travel toilet seat with you to reduce the size of toilets while you are out and about. The Jool Baby Folding Travel Potty Seat has non-slip suction cups and is designed to fit most standard and public toilets safely. It folds down really small, comes with a handy carry bag and is easy to clean too.
Find out more about the Jool Baby Folding Travel Potty Seat HERE.
Travel storage for kids
Teebee Travel Toy Box
The Teebee box is a genius invention. This small carry case allows kids to bring small toys in a hand carry case that includes a storage compartment, and two smaller side storage compartment, one of which has a Lego base in it. There is also a handy removable insert tray that is ideal for pencils and crayons or even small Lego. And it comes with stickers to personalize it.
Learn more about the Teebee box HERE.
Kids travel tray table
If you are heading off on a road trip, then a great way to ensure the kids have everything they need in easy reach is to bring along a kids travel tray table. These can sit on your child’s car seat, or secure to the back of your seat, and contain lots of pockets for pencils, paper, drinks bottles and more.
For planes, trains and hotels, the Fun N’ Fly Foldable Travel Tray is another great option. This multi-purpose tray folds and unfolds in seconds and fits most standard airplane tray tables to keep your kids toys, pencils and other bits and bobs from falling on the floor. It even comes with securing buckles to keep it on the tray table. It comes with its own small carry bag and it is washable too.
Find out more about the Fun N’ Fly Foldable Travel Tray HERE.
Hopefully these kids’ travel accessories will help to make your trip as great as it can possibly be! Take care, have fun and keep exploring.
Cath x
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