21 Must Have Travel Essentials for Kids Every Parent Needs

Looking for the best packing essentials for travelling with kids?

Traveling with kids can feel like a lot, especially when you’re trying to remember everything you might need. Over time, I’ve figured out what actually makes a difference and what just takes up space.

This list is based on what we personally use on every trip with my now, 9 and 11 year old kids. These are the things that help us stay organized, keep the kids comfortable, and make travel feel a whole lot easier.

Favourite Must Have Travel Essentials for Kids

These are the items my kids personally love to bring on every trip. They keep them entertained and give them a sense of independence.

1. Travel Journal

A travel journal for kids is always a hit in our house. My daughter loves filling it out with puzzles, prompts, and trip memories. It’s colorful, engaging, and small enough to slip into a backpack. It can fit up to four trips, which is perfect for us.

2. Amazon Fire Tablet

We bring one Amazon Fire Tablet for each of our kids, and it makes a big difference on travel days.

You can download shows from apps like Disney+ and Netflix, plus games that work offline. It is budget-friendly and keeps kids entertained for long stretches.

3. Headphones

Each child needs their own headphones.

Whether they are watching a show or using the seatback screen, this keeps things quiet and enjoyable for everyone around you.

4. Water Bottle

Always pack a reusable water bottle.

Just empty it before security and refill it after. It is a simple way to keep everyone hydrated throughout the day.

5. Backpack

Each kid carries their own backpack. My daughter loves hers—it has cup holders and compartments to keep everything organized. Not too big, not too heavy, perfect for carrying their own stuff.

Packing for Wellness and Sleep

As a registered nurse, I never skip this section. These items give me peace of mind knowing we’re prepared for anything.

6. First Aid Kit

• Bandages
• Anti Nausea Meds
• Antihistamines
• Antibacterial Cream
• Pain and Fever Relief

7. Pillow

A mini travel pillow is perfect for long or overnight flights to help kids rest comfortably. These are super cute as they can be a neck pillow or fold up to a stuffed animal

Packing Essentials for the Parents

These items keep me organized and stress-free on the road.

8. Cross body Bag

This crossbody purse holds passports, boarding passes, and wallet essentials. I always keep it separate from my backpack for quick access. It even fits extras like chapstick and gum.

9. Light Weight Luggage

We stick to carry-on luggage. A lightweight suitcase with smooth-rolling wheels makes moving through airports easy.

10. Portable Door Lock

We started using a portable door lock after a stay in a house rental where the front door was far from where we slept. It fit easily into our backpack and added extra security. You just insert the metal piece, close the door, and pull the red handle. It gave us peace of mind.

11. Packing Cubes

I absolutely love packing cubes.

They keep everything organized and actually help me not overpack. I separate shirts, bottoms, undergarments, and swimsuits

12. Hanging Toiletry Bag

I never travel without a hanging toiletry bag

It folds into sections and hangs on the back of a bathroom door. All four of us use it and it fits a lot while staying compact.

13. Wrist Strap for Phone

Keep your phone secure with a wrist strap. It is great especially in busy cities.

It just helps me feel more secure when I’m holding my phone for photos or maps.

14. Washing Bags

These Laundry bags fold into a tiny square and expand into a laundry bag.

They easily separate dirty clothes. When we get home, it’s they get dumped straight in the washing machine.

15. External Charger/battery back up

The last thing you want is your phone dying halfway through the day.

A portable charger is perfect for quick charges when you need maps or photos.

16. USB Stick

I learned this the hard way on a trip to Arizona when I ran out of phone memory after taking so many photos and videos. A USB Stick lets you save everything while traveling, so you never have to worry about space.

17. Power Adapter

This power adapter lets you plug in multiple devices and works for different plug types when traveling internationally.

Weather Related Travel Gear

Stay comfortable no matter the weather with these essentials.

18. Rain Jacket

A lightweight rain jacket packs easily and keeps kids dry during showers, rainforests, or rainy seasons.

19. Cooling Towels

These are one of my favorite travel items. Cooling towels are perfect for hot summer days.

Wet, wring, and wear them like a scarf to stay cool. We used them in Barcelona in August, and they saved the day.

20. Beach Towels

We use these Microfiber beach towels fold small, dry quickly, and are ideal for trips to the beach or pool.

21. Sunscreen

I like using a reef-safe sunscreen that’s 100 ml so it fits in a carry-on. I also like that it has safer ingredients like zinc.

How to Choose the Right Travel Essentials

Consider Your Child’s Age

My kids are older now, so we don’t bring as many toys.

They’re happy with shows, naps, and things like writing. Younger kids will need different items like snack cups or more toys.

Match Items to Your Trip Type

Think about where you’re going.

Is it summer or winter? Beach or mountains? Pack for the weather and the activities you’ll be doing.

Avoid Overpacking

We travel carry-on only and it makes everything easier.

Most of the time, if you pack extra, you won’t even use it. You can always wash clothes if needed. I stick a few of these laundry sheets in our case just in case

Tips for Traveling with Kids

Stay Organized with Simple Systems

Use packing cubes, plan outfits ahead of time, and separate clean and dirty clothes.

It makes everything easier to find and keeps things running smoothly.

Consider the Best Place to Stay

Where you stay can change your trip experience.

When we book hotels, we love using Expedia.

We look for places with a pool and free breakfast because we like to start our day with breakfast and end it with a swim.

If we’re booking a home rental, we use Vrbo.

We filter by location, number of beds, and sometimes bedrooms if we want more space. A kitchen is also helpful if you plan on making meals.

These 21 travel essentials have made travel smoother for our family. They keep kids entertained, safe and comfortable, which makes parents lives easier too!

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