Top 11 Family Travel Gear Essentials
We've been getting a lot of questions about packing and traveling advice for families with young children so we thought it was time to list out our favorite things that we always bring with us. Everything listed below has been personally tested by us and is something we currently use.
Through our months of ongoing travel we have weeded out the things we do not actively use and added in a few things that we have found to be essential. So here are our ten of my must-have essentials for any traveling family:
Compact enough to fit in your carry-on, but powerful enough to make everything from baby food to breakfast smoothies, this blender really is magical for our family. We use it daily to make green smoothies for everyone and add kid-friendly supplements as well. We're able to get 100% of their needed vegetables into our kids in the first meal, which makes the rest of the meals of the day a lot less stressful.
2. Hydro Flask
The kids always loved drinking out of our Hydroflasks because the straw was so easy. So when Hydroflask released their kids line, we couldn't have been happier. We have tried a ton of different canteens and double-wall metal containers and we think Hydroflasks are the best and easiest for the kids. They also offer a bunch of fun colors which is an added bonus :)
3. Gopro
What better way to document your children’s adventures than through their perspective? This is why I love the GoPro cameras. I simply strap it on my young ones and I get to experience the world through their beautiful eyes. They are so easy to use and so compact that there really is no excuse NOT to capture that moment. Camera phones these days can take some amazing video too, but what we love about GoPro is that its JUST a camera and nothing else. All too often pulling out that phone to snap a photo or video can lead to distraction.
4. DJI Drones
DJI updates their specific models so frequently that it would almost be pointless to list a specific model here. We have used several of their models and love them all. They are very reliable, easy to use, and have never failed us. A drone helps to capture your travels from a totally unique and rare point of view. They are surprisingly easy to fly, so if you’re worried about crashing, after a couple of flight I promise you’ll feel totally confident.
Anyone who has ever traveled with young kids knows it is not easy. All the waiting, the jet lag, and bag drag, can really tucker them out. The Jetkids Bedbox solves all of these problems. It’s a carry on suitcase that can be ridden or pulled like a wagon, provides plenty of storage, and opens up to a cozy bed. I cannot recommend this enough!
6. World Nomads Travel Insurance
Life is unpredictable and as much as we love living spontaneously, we still like to be prepared for anything. World Nomads Travel Insurance is perfect, it covers everything from medical emergencies to your luggage, all while supporting local charities across the globe. No matter where your family is headed, I definitely recommend grabbing a policy before you go. The cost is very affordable and when Vinny lost his phone in Bali, they reimbursed us for it with no issues.
7. Scooters
Scooters seem like an odd choice, but they are perfect for any family on the go. They are portable, fun, and help make sure no matter what distance you need to travel, your children won’t tire out. When your kids are under 5, long walks usually end up with someone having to be carried. We have found that we can cover way more ground with smiling faces when scooters are around.
8. Ora Organic
When you are constantly traveling, it can be a real challenge to make sure that your family is getting all the nutrients they need. Not everywhere we go will has healthy food options, so we really have to plan ahead to keep everyone on track. I love the entire Ora Organic line. In particular the “good to be green” supplement. It’s loaded with all the phytonutrients you need to keep your whole family feeling strong and healthy, but it’s also portable and my children love the taste. We also love their vanilla protein shake because its great for the adults but also safe for the kiddos.
I love essential oils, they have so many health benefits, I can’t even begin to list all the ways we use them. I will say this, after a long day of traveling, nothing can help ground you like sense memory. I personally love to sprinkle a little lavender on everyone's pillow to help them relax and unwind.
10. Mad Monk Tea
Speaking of ways to unwind, I love to end my night meditating over a warm cup of tea. This small ritual helps me stay present with myself and connected to my family. My favorite brand of tea has to be Mad Monk. Floral and bright, their amazing selection of teas are both soothing and awakening.
11. Nomatic Backpack
Angeliquea has gone through her fair share of backpacks since first having kids. As far as traveling goes, we feel like the Nomatic Backpack is the PERFECT family travel backpack. The backpacks from Nomatic are perfect for both a weekend getaway or a long stay. They are expandable, full of easy to sort compartments, and extremely comfortable to carry. We put things like diapers in wipes in one compartment, and still have room for other essentials like towels, shoes and changes of clothes. It also has a "wet compartment" which is crucial for beach days or the occasional "accident" one of the almost-potty trained kids might have :)
I hope you love these products as much as my family does! What are some of your favotire travel items? We would love to hear from you!