When I was a kid in the 90s, my parents bought a “portable” 9” TV/VCR player to keep me and my sister entertained on our 11-hour road trips to St. Louis. This thing probably weighed 85 tons and would rock back and forth at stoplights, but it worked — we’d watch Shrek, Sandlot, Iron Giant, and Shrek again, and boom, we’d arrive with no complaints.
Thankfully, family travel gear has massively evolved since then to be more effective and efficient. From affordable tablets to FAA-approved car seats, kid-friendly luggage to folding strollers, having the right travel gadgets can keep everyone comfortable, organized, and entertained.
Essential Travel Gear for Families
Let’s start with the basics — what you absolutely need to get from A to B.
Family-friendly luggage and organizers
The most important quality in a family luggage set isn’t utility or compactness — it’s durability.
Buying high-quality luggage once can save you from replacing cheap luggage every two years. Skip the no-brand knockoffs and consider Travelpro, Samsonite, Briggs and Riley, or another trusted brand.
On that note, many parents like to equip their kids with carry-on spinners instead of kid-specific luggage (e.g., rolling backpacks with Frozen characters on them) since the former is something they can grow into.
Packing cubes, compression bags, and toiletry organizers can also help you maximize space in everyone’s bag. Oh, and a set of brightly colored luggage straps can make your family’s luggage extremely easy to spot from a distance.
Strollers and baby carriers
While the TSA does allow larger strollers through security, some airlines require all strollers over 20 pounds to be checked at the ticket counter.
That’s why many young families opt for either a travel stroller or a baby carrier to ferry the little one through public transit hubs. Carriers are great because they make mom or dad more mobile and keep your hands free, while strollers can provide extra storage and double as a bed.
If you go the stroller route, make sure you find one that’s compact and airport-friendly like the Bugaboo Butterfly, Joolz Aer+ Lightweight, or the budget-friendly Baby Jogger City Tour 2.
Travel car seats and booster seats
Most U.S. airlines allow children under 2 to fly in an adult’s lap for free on domestic flights or at a reduced fare on international flights. Still, both the FAA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) strongly suggest that infants are far safer flying in their own car seat.
Luckily, most modern car seats are FAA-compliant. You’ll want to bring one, anyhow, since you’ll need it for safe ground transportation. Sure, Hertz and Enterprise may offer car seat rentals, but many parents report that they’re often dirty, unsafe, or simply unavailable upon arrival.
As for booster seats, a backless option with a carry handle like the Chicco GoFit is ideal for travel. Just keep in mind that the FAA prohibits using booster seats during take-off and landing.
Gadgets and Accessories for Convenience
Technology has made travel infinitely easier. While you don’t need every gadget, these ones make great travel companions.
Portable chargers and adapters
Modern families are loaded up with enough gadgets to make James Bond blush, and when one of those gadgets runs out of juice, it can quickly lead to delays (e.g., no GPS) or drama (e.g., no more Ms Rachel).
That’s why a portable charger can be a huge asset on all family trips. Ideally, you want a brand-name one with a 10,000+mAh capacity, like a Belkin. Mystery-brand chargers probably won’t work as advertised and could even damage your electronics.
If you’re traveling overseas, you may need several international outlet adapters.
Travel monitors and white noise machines
Another commonly forgotten item is the baby monitor. A travel-friendly unit with video and white noise capability doesn’t have to break the bank, either, with options like the VTech VM819 and LeapFrog LF2423 coming in under $50.
GPS trackers and child safety wearables
If you have the budget, a handful of GPS trackers can lend big peace of mind to your next trip.
Apple AirTags and Tiles are two popular options and can help you keep track of kids and luggage in busy areas.
Entertainment Gear for Kids
Even well-traveled kids get bored in transit (adults, too). So, keep them occupied with some easy tech gadgets and games.
Tablets and headphones
An honest parent will tell you that a fully charged tablet makes for a pretty great babysitter, especially on long flights and car rides.
Kids don’t need the latest and greatest, either; a sub-$100 Amazon Fire HD tablet can play games and download movies — just be sure to get a rugged, kid-friendly case for it.
As for headphones, it’s a similar story. A basic pair of Sony wired headphones will keep them entertained without ever requiring a charge.
As an aside, be sure to set volume limiters on all of your kids’ devices so they don’t inadvertently give themselves noise-induced hearing loss. If they complain that the volume is too low in loud settings (e.g., plane rides), you might consider upgrading to over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones with noise-canceling ability.
Travel games and activity kits
It probably goes without saying that travel-sized board games typically don’t last long in a real-world travel setting. As soon as mini-Monopoly bounces off your 8-year-old’s tray table, you’ll probably never see that tiny top hat or wheelbarrow again.
That said, card-based games like UNO do travel extremely well since they’re small, durable, and cheap to replace. Colored pencils and coloring books also travel well, and coloring books in gift shops make for great kid-friendly souvenirs.
Books and audiobooks
As much as we vigorously support kids reading as much as possible — even on vacation — a pile of books can be a bit clunky to bring along.
Luckily, your child’s tablet can be positively loaded up with eBooks and audiobooks, and many places like Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Oxford Owl offer free eBooks for children. Or you can use the Libby app to access free eBooks through your library.
And if you’re concerned about general screen time, consider that modern tablets come with handy blue light-dimming features.
Tips for Choosing the Best Travel Gear
Now that you know what you need, how do you choose the best brand for your family? Keep these tips in mind so you don’t end up with a one-trip purchase.
1. Opt for lightweight and compact designs
At some point, everything you pack will either be pushed or carried by you.
That’s why paying a little extra for something that’s lightweight and compact can be well worth it — it’s one less pound or two for you to schlep around everywhere, which adds up (especially with kids involved).
2. Look for durability and lifetime warranties
A durable suitcase may last you 20 years while a cheap one may fall apart after just one trip. That’s why treating yourself to some high-quality, well-made travel gear actually ends up far cheaper in the long run.
Keep an eye out for items with a lifetime warranty, too. A wheel just fell off my Briggs and Riley carry-on, and they repaired it for free 15 years later.
3. Test items before the trip
A week or two before your trip, put your new travel gear through its paces.
Practice folding, unfolding, and lifting your stroller. Roll your new bag around. Do a “tech dress rehearsal” of tech gadgets like tablets, GPS trackers, and Bluetooth headphones.
If something doesn’t work — or doesn’t work as intended — you’ll want to know ahead of time. Alternatively, if everything works great, it can be a huge stress-reliever.
READ MORE: Family Travel Planning Tips for Unforgettable Vacations
FAQs About Family Travel Gear
What are the best travel strollers for flights and public transit?
The ideal travel stroller will be relatively small, lightweight, and easy to fold one-handed. The Bugaboo Butterfly and Joolz Aer+ Lightweight are popular choices, or for a more budget-friendly option, consider the Baby Jogger City Tour 2.
Are there car seats that work for both planes and cars?
Yes. Look for a car seat (aka child restraint system or CSR) that’s FAA-approved. The Chicco KeyFit 35 and Cosco Onlook 2-in-1 are two popular examples.
How can I keep electronics organized and safe during travel?
Get a travel cable organizer pouch for your litany of cables and velcro zip ties to keep them from becoming a spaghetti-like mess. Then, keep each of your laptops and tablets in a brightly colored laptop sleeve to keep them safe and easy to find.
What’s the best way to carry snacks and drinks without spills?
During travel, some durable, airtight containers like Rubbermaid Brilliance will pay for themselves 10 times over by allowing you to travel with food prepped at home. For drinks, spill-proof gadgets like the Munchkin Miracle (for kids) and the SpillNot (for carrying multiple open-top drinks) can save you from stains.
The Bottom Line
Having the right travel gear can make family trips smoother, safer, and far more enjoyable for years to come.
Invest in high-quality gear early — and test it beforehand — to save yourself a tremendous amount of time, money, and stress. This way, you and the fam can focus on creating memories of your travel experience together.
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