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No matter where you’re headed, traveling with young children is…not a vacation. Between the sheer amount of stuff that’s required and the inevitable “are we there yets?” (or worse, meltdowns), it can be really tough to take the family on a trip. While there’s no magic wand, I’ve got a few magic tricks up my sleeve to make traveling a breeze (well, sort of). Read on for my favorite travel products for families on the go.
Lovevery Play Kits: I’ve been singing Lovevery’s praises since 2019, and the Play Kits ($120) are truly the gift that keeps on giving. Aside from the fact that I almost never have to buy toys anymore and my kids learn a ton from them, many of the products are perfect for travel. We love the matching animal game, travel art set, and of course, we always throw in a few books. I especially love the interactive fabric book from these new Book Bundles ($18) – it kept my one-year-old entertained in the car for up to an hour!
Artipoppe Zeitgeist Carrier: Baby-wearing is my jam, and travel is no exception. The Artipoppe Zeitgeist ($374) is soft and comfortable for mom (or dad!) and is equally cozy for baby. It’s perfect for trekking through the airport hands-free (you can even wear it right through security), great for naptime on the airplane, and an easy way to tote baby around once you’ve arrived at your location.
Wayb Pico Car Seat: Gone are the days of lugging 28 pound convertible car seats through the airport or perhaps worse, paying $50 a day for dirty, used car seats from a car rental company. The Wayb Pico ($380) is an absolute game changer. Completely foldable and at only 8 pounds, it’s easy to bring anywhere, and even fits in the airplane overhead bin. The perfect solution for traveling with toddlers.
Lalo Suction Plate & Little Cup: This may be a bit unusual, but I always love to travel with kid-friendly plates and cups, like the Lalo Suction Plate ($17.50) and Little Cup ($12.50). Using the same tableware you have at home makes kids more comfortable eating at restaurants, less likely to throw major tantrums at the table, and definitely less likely to break restaurant dishes (and therefore less likely to embarrass the whole table!). These are both made of silicone, which makes them easy to stash away in luggage and easy to clean on the go.
SlumberPod Blackout Tent: So many parents avoid travel all together because they’re worried about how their babies will sleep. I get it – without a good night’s sleep, it’s hard to enjoy a day of activities (especially when traveling with kids does not equal sipping cocktails or napping at the pool). That’s why I’m so obsessed with the SlumberPod ($174.99), a lightweight tent that turns any pack and play into a completely blacked out sleeping space. It’s a total game changer – we took our 8 month old to Chicago last year and literally had the lights on in the hotel room while she slept in this thing! Mind. Blown.
We hope this helps make your summer travel just a little bit easier, so you can relax and actually enjoy yourself – you deserve it.