What to Pack: Family Travel Essentials for Your Next Trip
Y’all know travel with three kids is never actually a vacation until we land, right? Between the packing, the “are we there yet “s, and making sure everyone has a full belly and a charged tablet (don’t @ me – they’re not on it the whole time 😂), I’ve learned a thing or two about what actually makes travel days smoother. So today I’m rounding up my go-to travel faves…the stuff that lives in my carry-on no matter where we’re headed.
Travel Tips from This Texas Mom of 3 Three
1. Give yourself more time than you think you need. Whether you’re flying or road-tripping, nothing derails a good travel day faster than rushing. Building in buffer time for security lines, bathroom breaks, and the inevitable “does everyone have everything?” moment saves everyone’s sanity.
2. Pack a “boredom bag” for each kid. Sounds like some work, but put a Nike check on it and Just Do It, friend. A small pouch with a few surprise snacks, a coloring book, and a couple small toys goes a long way toward keeping little hands (and moods) occupied!
3. Don’t be afraid to lower the bar on screen time. Can we stop parent-shaming when we see kids on screens, bc sometimes… they’re just helpful. Especially when traveling? Travel days are not the day to fight that battle. Let it go, keep the peace, and enjoy the trip!
My Travel Must-Haves
Rorry Portable Charger
Rorry Portable Charger – A dead phone or device mid-trip is NOT it. This little handy friend keeps everyone’s devices charged and ready, whether you’re navigating a new city or just need backup for the tablet. Each kiddo has one hooked on their backpack, and they have multiple charging ports. SUCH a win!
Shop it here →
Airplane Pockets
Airplane Pockets – These slip right onto the seatback tray table so little hands can reach snacks, headphones, and toys without everything sliding to the floor. And an absolute CHEERS to anything that keeps us from touching surfaces on a plane. 😆 The kids love having a cubby, of sorts, while they fly to be able to grab whatever they want to play with next!
Shop it here →
AirFly Bluetooth Wireless Audio Adapter
AirFly Bluetooth Wireless Audio Adapter – Turns any wired in-flight entertainment system into Bluetooth so the kids can use their own wireless headphones. Total game-changer for long flights bc we know tablet time is absoLUTELY allowed on flights! (zero shame here)
Shop it here →
Portable Handheld Fan
Portable Handheld Fan – Perfect for hot terminals, long lines, or that one kid who runs warm no matter the season. This little friend can stand on its own, wrap around the arms of chairs, stroller handles, pretty much anything you can think of, and it’s powerful, y’all! Our favorite place for it is on a beach chair, but we literally use it everywhere!
Shop it here →
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Hanging Toiletry Bag – Remember that busy bag for each kiddo I mentioned earlier! Enter the toiletry bag that serves multiple purposes! We love it for bathroom things or when it doubles as an activity/all-the-things holder. It unzips and hangs right on the bathroom door (or airplane chair back) so everything’s visible and organized- no digging through a bag at 6 am and everything inside is visible.
Shop it here →
Travel Medicine Organizer
Travel Medicine Organizer – I’m a sucker for a good label, yall, especially when it’s the Exact branded label! This little friend has kept me sane and us healthy during travel and even just in the car or in my purse. Keeps kids’ and adults’ medicine sorted and labeled so you’re never scrambling to find the right bottle at the worst possible time.
Shop it here →
AirTag + AirTag Holder
Air Tag + Air Tag Holder. Clips right onto checked luggage so you can track your bag in real time. One less thing to worry about at baggage claim. AND we put them on the kids when we’re at Disney or in super busy places (again, no shame!) They pin to pretty much anything and the peace of mind knowing where things are is PRICELESS.
Shop the AirTag here → | Shop the Holder here →
Hand Wipes + Clear Organizer
Hand Wipes + Clear Organizer – Sticky hands, airplane trays, rental car snack spills…these wipes handle it all, and the clear pouch keeps them (and other small essentials) easy to grab.
Shop the Wipes here → | Shop the Organizer here →
Traveling with three kids will never be totally smooth…, but with the right gear (and a little grace for yourself), it gets a whole lot easier.
Shop it here → for all my travel faves, and let me know your own travel hacks in the comments! Remember, I share tons of Amazon deals every morning on my Facebook page, so be sure to come hang out! Outside of the Newsletter and website, you can find me on Instagram and Facebook, or visit my Amazon Storefront to shop anytime!
Love y’all bigger than Texas!
XOXO, Katie
*this post contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Promise, though, I’m only sharing things I love 😉*
