Traveling with Kids: My Family's Must Haves

Packing for a trip with kids has definitely changed over the years. Every vacation has taught us something new, whether it’s what we wish we had packed, what we never ended up using, or the products that made the entire trip run a little more smoothly. After enough family vacations, we’ve settled into a packing routine, and certain things always make it into our suitcases.

Whether we’re flying, taking a road trip, or spending a week at the beach, these are the travel essentials I always come back to. They’re the products we’ve used trip after trip because they’ve made traveling easier, kept us more organized, and helped take a little of the stress out of travel days.

Every trip looks a little different, but there are a few things I pack every single time because they’ve consistently made traveling easier. A durable hard shell suitcase has been well worth the investment, especially after years of family vacations, and packing cubes have completely changed the way we pack. Keeping everyone’s clothes organized from the start makes unpacking at our destination much simpler, and it’s so much easier to find exactly what you’re looking for without digging through an entire suitcase.

There are also a handful of smaller essentials I never skip. An insulated water bottle comes everywhere with us, sunscreen is always packed before a beach or pool day, and a suction cup toothbrush has become one of those simple products that keeps hotel and rental bathrooms a little more organized. Goggles are always tucked into a suitcase if there’s even a chance we’ll be swimming, and compartment snack containers have become one of my favorite travel staples. I fill them before we leave so everyone has easy, grab-and-go snacks throughout the day without constantly stopping to buy something along the way.

Shop My Travel Must-Haves → Everything I rely on for packing, staying organized, and making family travel a little easier is linked here.

I’m all for using screens when they make sense, especially on longer travel days, but I also like having a few activities packed that don’t rely on batteries or Wi-Fi. They’re perfect for waiting at the airport, sitting down for a meal, or winding down at the hotel after a busy day.

One of our favorite travel finds has been the Kanoodle Brain Games. They’re compact enough to fit in a backpack or carry-on, but they’re surprisingly engaging and keep the kids entertained while encouraging a little problem-solving along the way. We also never travel without a deck of UNO cards or a waterproof deck of playing cards. They’re easy to pack, work for a wide range of ages, and can be played almost anywhere, whether we’re waiting for a flight, relaxing by the pool, or spending an afternoon at the beach. Having a few screen-free options has become part of our travel routine, and they’re always some of the first things the kids reach for.

Shop Screen-Free Favorites → These are the games and activities we always pack to keep the kids entertained without relying on screens.

Every family finds their own travel routine over time, but these are the products that have consistently worked for ours. They’re practical, easy to pack, and have earned a place in our suitcase because we genuinely use them on every trip.

I’ve linked everything in one place if you’re getting ready for your next vacation. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a bigger family adventure, I hope a few of these favorites make your next trip just a little easier.

Shop My Family Travel Favorites → I've rounded up everything mentioned in this post, along with a few other travel staples we never leave home without.