Introduction
Traveling with a kid changes the way you pack — not because you need more things, but because the right things matter more.
This isn’t a complete packing list, and it’s definitely not a roundup of “must-haves.” Everything here is something we’ve used repeatedly, adjusted over time, or learned on road trips, flights, and outdoor adventures. Some items are about comfort, some about sanity, and some about making travel possible when plans don’t go perfectly.
We don’t introduce screens easily, we travel in places with poor reception, and we often move at a child’s pace. The items in this list reflect that reality. I update it slowly, as our daughter grows and as our travel style changes — keeping only what continues to earn its place.
Suitcases (Road Trips vs. Flights)
For road trips, we’re flexible. Any suitcase works, and sometimes we simply pack our daughter’s clothes together with ours.
For air travel, though, ride-on suitcases have been a game changer. We’ve owned two different ones over the years, and they serve very different purposes.
Disney Frozen Ride-On Suitcase (18”)
This was our first kids’ suitcase, bought before our early road trips, and it has been surprisingly versatile.
- She could push it herself when she was younger
- She can pull it with a strap
- There’s also a regular handle so we can pull it (or she can)
- It’s big enough to hold all her clothes and essentials
Because of the size and flexibility, this suitcase works well for both road trips and flights. It’s one of those items that grew with her — useful when she was little, and still practical now.
Stokke JetKids Ride-On Suitcase
We bought this one before our first international air travel, and it’s built very differently.
What we love:
- Extremely sturdy — she can comfortably ride on it
- At the airport, she can sit and push with her feet, almost like a walking bike
- When airport walks are long (or we’re rushing), we can pull her on it
- On long international flights, it can be placed in front of her seat to create extra legroom
- When she was shorter, she could even stretch out and sleep, almost like a first-class seat
Important limitations:
- Many domestic flights don’t allow a suitcase in front of the seat
- It has very limited packing space — her clothes go in our suitcases
- It really only fits a few toys for the plane
- There is no handle, only a strap. We don’t love the strap:
- It drags on the floor
- It can tangle with wheels
- Airport floors are dirty
- When she rides it herself, the strap needs to be tucked in carefully
How we think about it now:
If you want one suitcase that does everything, the Disney-style ride-on is more practical. If you do long international flights and expect lots of airport walking, the Stokke is incredibly convenient — just know it’s more about mobility than packing.
Toys (What Actually Keeps Her Busy)
I’ll say this upfront: a tablet is probably the most effective way to keep kids busy while traveling. If your family already uses one, bring it.
We haven’t introduced screen time to our daughter yet, which means we’ve had to get more creative. Over time, we’ve found a small set of toys that actually work — especially for long car rides.
LED Writing Board
This looks like a regular writing tablet, but with glowing colors, which instantly makes it more fun.
- She often colors the entire board
- It takes a long time
- No loose pieces, no mess
It’s quiet, simple, and surprisingly absorbing.
Otamatone (Road Trip Only)
This is our new favorite.
- She can experiment with sound and play music herself
- Very interactive and engaging
This is strictly for road trips. Please don’t bring this on an airplane unless you’re very brave.
Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube (Car Only)
Technically a baby toy, but extremely creative.
- You can add or remove instruments to build your own orchestra
- Encourages experimentation and listening
We have the full-size version at home. It’s fun — but again, car trip only, not airplane-friendly.
Rubik’s Cubes (Simplified Versions)
The full-size cube is too hard for young kids, but the simplified versions work well.
She does get frustrated sometimes, so this one works best when she’s already calm.
16-Piece Rotating Puzzle
Another favorite for problem-solving.
- Engaging and compact
- Easy to start and stop
The downside is that in a moving car, she sometimes says it makes her motion sick, so we don’t always offer it right away.
Shashibo Shape-Shifting Box
A quiet, hands-on toy with endless configurations.
- No instructions needed
- Encourages focus and repetition
- Grows with imagination
This one works well across different ages.
Communication (When Phones Aren’t Enough)
Good communication while traveling isn’t just about convenience — it’s about reducing stress, especially when reception is unreliable or when family members split up.
Motorola Two-Way Radios
These have been surprisingly useful, especially in places with poor cell service.
- Often work better than phones when signal is weak
- No dialing or ringing — just press and talk
- You don’t have to worry about someone missing a call
We use them a lot in outdoor settings, large areas, and places where phones technically work — but not well.
Tile Trackers
My husband and I each carry one.
They’re especially helpful when:
- We split up and go different directions
- One person steps out briefly
- We want to know when the other person is nearby or coming back
It reduces the need for constant calling or texting and adds a quiet layer of reassurance.
Bug Repellent
I am not a big fan of DEET, especially for kids. So I always look for solutions without DEET. They are not as effective as DEET so we sometimes have to use multiple solutions at the same time.
Mosquito Repellent Bracelets
We almost always start with mosquito repellent bracelets for kids.
For our daughter, we usually use four bracelets at a time:
- Two on her wrists
- Two on her ankles
Using multiple bracelets provides better coverage than just one and helps reduce bites without applying anything directly to her skin. It’s simple, mess-free, and easy to adjust during the day.
Natural Mosquito Spray
On top of the bracelets, we sometimes use a natural mosquito spray with no DEET.
- Applied before heading out
- Especially helpful near water or in the evening
- Easy to reapply as needed
Battery-Powered Mosquito Repellent Devices (When Stationary)
When we know we’ll be staying in one place — fishing, cooking, sitting outside, or spending extended time at a campsite — we bring a battery-powered mosquito repellent device.
- Creates a protective zone around where we’re sitting
- Very helpful when mosquitoes linger
- No sprays and no skin contact
We don’t carry these everywhere, but they’re extremely useful when we’re stationary for longer periods.
A Travel Map We Can Fill In Together
This isn’t a piece of gear, but it’s one of the most meaningful travel items we have.
At home, we have a map of the United States where we can add photos to each state we’ve visited. After every trip, we pick a favorite picture and place it on the map together.
For our daughter, this has changed how she understands travel:
- Trips aren’t isolated events — they’re part of a growing story
- States aren’t just names; they’re places she’s been
- She can see how our world slowly expands
She often goes back to the map, points to different states, and asks about past trips or future ones. It makes travel feel tangible and personal in a way no souvenir ever could.
Why we love this more than souvenirs
- It takes up no extra packing space
- It grows over time instead of cluttering shelves
- It encourages reflection, memory, and curiosity
- It turns travel into a shared family project
Long after a trip is over, the map keeps the experience alive.
How it fits into our travel philosophy
Most of the items in this post are about making travel easier — less friction, fewer meltdowns, smoother days.
This one is about making travel meaningful.
It reminds us that the goal isn’t to go faster or farther, but to build memories slowly, together, one state at a time.
Conclusion
Good travel gear rarely makes a trip memorable — but the wrong gear can quietly make everything harder.
Over time, we’ve learned that the most helpful items are the ones that solve specific problems: long walks through airports, no cell reception, restless hours in the car, or evenings outside in buggy places. We don’t bring everything on every trip. We choose intentionally, based on where we’re going and how we’ll be traveling.
This list will keep evolving as our daughter gets older and our trips change. If something stops working for us, it won’t stay here. And if we discover something genuinely useful, it will be added — thoughtfully, not immediately.
If you’re planning family travel, take what fits your style and leave the rest. The goal isn’t to pack more — it’s to travel with less friction and more ease.