Whether you are taking a trip to Disney Land or the local library, determining what to bring can be a pain. Not to worry! In this article, you’ll discover 10 travel must-haves that we moms shouldn’t leave home without.

1. Combo Diaper Bag and Changing Pad

When traveling with kids in tow, multi-functional items offer convenience that you’ll no doubt appreciate. Toilet talk starting now: If little Johnny decides that the time to “go” is while you are out in public, if you aren’t prepared, stress creeps in. Prevent moments like this by keeping a waterproof changing pad/ diaper bag like this one with you.

It serves multiple purposes and is waterproof (for obvious reasons). Stash your main necessities in the  appropriate compartments, and when the need arises, deploy your diaper changing station. You also get a mosquito net as a bonus. Winning!

2. Tablet

Keeping children happy is key to a successful trip. Distract your kids during airplane rides or long road trips with some entertaining tablet time.

If you feel uncomfortable with allowing your children to use screens, you could:

  • Limit your child’s screen time before or after the trip to compensate for trip screen time.
  • Pass on this tip and keep reading for screen-less options for kids.

This Fire 7 tablet is a top entertainment option for kids. With access to thousands of apps, fun games, books, educational content, and more, your child will be elated. Kids are not exactly gentle with electronics, and that’s okay – this tablet comes with a kid-proof case.

3. Disinfecting Wipes for Kids

You’ll have to clean your child up while you are out- no doubt. Children get into absolutely everything, and sometimes regular baby wipes aren’t enough to get the job done.

CareTouch’s disinfecting wipes can be used on your baby’s hands and face. They’re made specifically for the kiddies, with no strong fragrances, chemicals, or alcohol.

4. Travel First Aid Kit

Packing a first aid kit for a trip may not be high on your priority list, but as you can probably imagine, first aid kits could really come in handy. If your child gets hurt and you are unprepared, your child’s safety is placed in jeopardy. Also, if the child’s injuries can be treated with a first aid kit, you can treat your own child instead of wasting money on a higher level of care (urgent care or ER care). Get yourself a first aid kit in your life.

I recommend this first aid kit by Surviveware if you’d like to be prepared for minor cuts, scrapes, burns, and the like. It’s a compact first aid kit, which makes it easy to fit in a carry-on bag or in your luggage. Also, you can rest assured that this is a quality kit, as it is FDA approved.

5. Water Wow Travel Coloring Book

If you want your kids to have more hands-on fun versus screen time, you’ve got options. My kids’ favorite past-times are those that require creativity. You could give your children some crayons or markers and a coloring book, or some other crafty item to play with. Even better yet, you can get their creative juices flowing with an activity made for travel.

The Water Wow travel coloring book is a clever little activity book that comes with 4 activity pages and a refillable water pen.

This must-have is perfect for any travel engagement because:

  1. No pens or markers are required, so there is no mess.
  2. The activities included in each book are engaging and educational.
  3. The activity pages are reusable so your child can enjoy this coloring book again and again.

6. Headphones for Kids

You may be fine with listening to Team Umizoomi or Paw Patrol on a regular basis. However, in an enclosed space like a car or an airplane, these shows can be very disruptive to you and surrounding people. So, in the interest of keeping everyone sane, pick up some headphones designed for kids.

These headphones are popular and highly rated by parents on Amazon. They go over your child’s ears and are adjustable to various head sizes. Created with kids in mind, they are durable (huge plus). Just fold them up for easy storage.

 

7. Baby Carrier

During your trip, you may need to carry your baby from time to time. You could simply carry your child in your arms, but chances are that after some time, your back or hips could start to give out. Constantly carrying your child on your hip could also lead to chronic back pain and spinal alignment issues. This knowledge comes from personal experience. So, save your back and hips with a baby carrier.

There are many baby carriers on the market, but I recommend this one for a few reasons. First, it’s made of cotton, making it very comfortable against the skin. Second, it’s got versatile carrying options. You can carry your child in 4 different ways. Finally, head support is included for younger children, and it’s removable. This carrier is appropriate for children 4 months old to 3 years old, or 13 to 44 pounds.

8. Food Storage System

If you are traveling with kids who can speak, “I’m hungry” will be heard many times during your trip. Whether you are travelling across the city or overseas, you’ll need to be able to pull out some snacks. If you are already prepared, you won’t be bothered. But if you are caught unprepared, you’ll have some unhappy campers.

Be equipped for your trip with this compact food storage system. It can be conveniently stored in your luggage, purse, or diaper bag. Use it for your baby’s formula, some fresh fruit, chips, etc. Also, it is BPA free- safety secured.

9. A Lightweight Stroller

Strollers are a welcome and necessary item to pack for a trip. Yet, there is no need to haul around a bulky stroller that takes up a ton of space. There is better out there. Think lightweight and compact.

This particular stroller is perfect for everyday travel as well as for vacations. It is ultra-lightweight, and it folds up small enough to fit in the tiniest of spaces (even the overhead bin on planes). It can be used for children up to 50 lbs.

10. Travel Crib

Some sleeping arrangements can be uncomfortable and/or unsafe for your child. Since this is true, it would be wise to ensure that you’ve got a safe, comfortable place where your child can sleep during your trip. While you can’t completely recreate your own home environment, you can give your child a piece of home by giving them a comfortable place to lay their head.

The solution: A travel crib.

This travel crib is pretty awesome. It’s sturdy and light (which is key for any travel item) and it’s easy to set up and take down. It features a soft sponge mattress that’ll help your baby get some good quality sleep and it is constructed in the same way that a play area is. So, if you are looking for a portable play area/sleep area, this travel crib should work nicely.

Hope you enjoy your travels and I hope this list makes your travels a little more enjoyable!

Andres Reyes

MommiNation