Traveling with kids can be overwhelming, but the right gear can make a HUGE difference. After more than 100 flights and countless trips with my kids (now ages 4 and 7), I’ve learned what really works and what doesn’t. These are my go-to essentials that make travelling with little ones easier, more comfortable, and definitely less stressful. And they're ALL ON SALE FOR BLACK FRIDAY / CYBER MONDAY!!!
Table of Contents
1. Bugaboo Butterfly Travel Stroller
BLACK FRIDAY: Save $110 on the Bugaboo Butterfly Bundle, which includes the Backpack Transport Bag and the Bumper Bar!
The Bugaboo Butterfly Stroller has been such a game-changer for airport travel. It’s lightweight, compact, and fits in the overhead compartment on planes. The added buggy board (sold separately) on the back is also perfect for when one child gets tired and needs a break from walking. This stroller has saved us so much time and effort, especially in crowded airports. I really love the one-handed, one-second fold - it’s way easier than our previous travel stroller.
One of my favourite features though is the backpack transport bag designed specifically for the Bugaboo Butterfly. It makes it a lot easier to carry with our luggage and bring onboard. Note: Both the stroller AND buggy board fit inside the backpack, although admittedly it’s a bit of a tight squeeze.
2. Yoto Mini Screen-Free Audio Player
BLACK FRIDAY: The sale is unreal this year!!!! UP TO 40% OFF ALL BUNDLES and 20% OFF ALL CARDS. The bundles are such a good deal, which include the Yoto Mini and a set of cards. You can also use my discount code to stack on top of these discounts to get up to 45% off. Here are my favourite bundles:
- Yoto Mini Adventure Bundle - includes Adventure Jacket and Wireless Headphones
- Yoto Mini + Harry Potter (Books 1 -3) Bundle - my son listens to these books on repeat
- Yoto Mini + Disney Classics & Pixar Bundle - this one includes 7 cards and 17 Pixar Stories. This would be an amazing starter set to gift.
- Yoto Mini + Brain Bots Bundle - ahhh we love Brain Bots SO much, they're so educational and interesting, and this bundle includes 24 cards from the Dinosaurs, Human Body and Sports collections.
Use the code below to STACK AN EXTRA 5% off on top of their Black Friday Sale👇
(discount applies to any order above the price of a Yoto Mini $69.99 USD or $99.99 CAD)
The Yoto Mini Player is hands down the best screen-free device I’ve found for travel. It’s a simple, easy-to-use audio device that plays books, music, and podcasts for my kids. We’ve used it almost every day for 3 years, and we love it so much that we recently bought a second one for my daughter. It keeps them entertained without the use of screens—perfect for long flights, car rides, or downtime on any trip. The fact that it doesn’t need Wi-Fi is a huge plus, and it can play radio stations and the daily Yoto podcast. Plus, you can create your own Make Your Own cards to add personalized stories, audiobooks, or music! It’s compact, portable, and the absolute best travel companion for kids.
Plays audiobooks and music
Screen-free and easy for kids to use
Great for all ages (even younger kids can listen on their own)
No Wi-Fi required
Create your own cards to add stories or music
3. WayB Pico Travel Car Seat
BLACK FRIDAY: This game-changing fold up car seat almost never goes on sale, so this sale is absolutely CRAZY!!!! 20% off site wide | 25% off $600+ | 30% off $1,000+ until December 3rd. Click here to see all sales.
When my son turned 2 years old, this travel car seat changed our travel life. The WayB Pico Travel Car Seat is incredibly portable. It weighs just 8 lbs and folds up into a backpack, making it easy to carry on every trip. It’s FAA-approved for airplane use and fits easily in the overhead compartment , so no more struggling with bulky car seats on the plane.
We’ve gotten A LOT of use out of this car seat. Once my son outgrew the WayB Pico, my daughter started using it, and it’s been perfect for both of them. It’s easy to install, and the compact size makes it ideal for traveling, whether we’re flying or using ride shares. The convenience and portability of this seat have been a game-changer for us.
What I love about the WayB Pico:
Weighs just 8 lbs and folds into a backpack for easy carrying
FAA-approved for airplane use and fits in the overhead bin
Perfect for kids 2+, up to 50 lbs and 45 inches tall
Easily portable, fitting in most ride-share cars and rental cars
4. Inflatable Airplane Footrest
BLACK FRIDAY: Grab it for your holiday travels and save up to 40% on Amazon! The 2-pack is a great deal if you have more than one child.
I never travel without this blowup footrest for long flights (one for each child). It inflates quickly and goes in the empty space between their seat and the seat in from of them, creating a flat surface for your kids to lie down and sleep. It’s lightweight, compact, and super affordable compared to more expensive travel beds. Plus, it’s much easier to pack, which is a huge bonus. Some airlines don’t allow inflatable footrests or beds, so if they say no for any reason, you won’t feel bad that you spent a lot of money on it or sacrificed packing space.
Fast + easy to inflate (by mouth and without any special pump) and quickly deflate
Great for creating a flat sleeping area on long flights
Affordable and compact
Note: In both pictures below, my kids are using the inflatable footrests as pillows, but they should actually be positioned the other way around with their seatbelts on for safety.
5. The Best Travel Activity Bag
BLACK FRIDAY: The Mini Jetsetter Black Friday sale is the biggest we've ever done! 25% off viral favourites + FREE Shipping across Canada over $120, and the launch of our new convertible backpack activity bags.
The Mini Jetsetter Kids Travel Activity Bag is my go-to for keeping my kids entertained and organized during our travels. I personally designed this bag to meet the needs of my family, and it’s been a total game-changer. Whether we’re flying, on a road trip, or simply spending a day out, this bag makes it easy to stay organized.
With its detachable pouches , I can customize the contents depending on the day’s activities, whether it’s for a long flight or a quick outing. It’s a practical solution for keeping everything in one place and easily accessible.
Why you'll love it:
Customizable with detachable pouches – tailor it to your trip with the right activities for your day
Keeps everything organized – from toys to snacks, everything has a place
Perfect for on-the-go – lightweight, compact, and easy to carry
Durable and stylish – fits perfectly in your carry-on, stroller basket, or even a backpack
Wanna see it in action? Click here to watch the video!
I also use these bags to pack my kids’ clothes. Instead of unpacking into drawers or using packing cubes, I hang one of the travel activity bags for each child. Each bag has 4 pockets - one for socks & undies, one for tops, one for bottoms, and one for PJs/books. We even have a third bag dedicated to toys. This system keeps everything at eye level, super easy to access, and off the floor.
6. Ekster TravelPack Vacuum Kit
BLACK FRIDAY: Ekster is having an insane sale of up to 52% off EVERYTHING, including the vacuum bag and their viral wallets.
Use code MINIJETSETTER to get an EXTRA 10% on top of the sale.
I tried this modular vacuum packing cube from Ekster this summer when we travelled carry-on only for 6 weeks with 2 kids, and it is way better than a packing cube because it can literally triple your carryon storage by compressing your clothing. The bags also come with a little air pump for on-the-go compression!
7. Eye Mask That Straps to Headrest
BLACK FRIDAY: The eye mask headrest thing is 15% off and makes an awesome gift for a frequent traveller! I gifted this to my husband last year.
I don’t even know what this is officially called, but this eye mask is brilliant. It’s basically an eye mask that straps to the headrest and supports your head so you don’t do the classic travel “bobblehead” thing. It actually helps you sleep sitting up, which is no small miracle. Both my husband and I used it and agreed it was a total gamechanger.
Memory foam padding for your eyes and head
Adjustable strap that anchors to your seat
Washable cover
Blocks light completely
HIGHLY recommend!
8. The Squishiest Neck Pillow
BLACK FRIDAY: The neck pillow is 33% off
Yes, you could totally use just the eye mask above. But pair it with this squishy neck pillow and you’re out cold. It reminds me of a Squishmallow - super soft and cozy, but it actually stays in place and gives real neck support instead of just looking cute. The fabric is plush, the memory foam holds its shape, and it has a snap closure so it doesn’t slide off when you lean to the side.
I’ve also used the Trtl pillow, which I know is hugely popular and works well for a lot of people (almost 40K reviews!!!). It’s more structured and compact, so it’s a great option if you want something smaller in your bag. But comfort-wise, this one is my winner. I slept better with it and found it way easier to get into a good position.
9. Magnetic Travel Toy Kit
BLACK FRIDAY: We've NEVER done a sale like this before! The magnetic set is 25% off and FREE shipping in Canada over $120.
Three years later, and our Magnetic Travel Kit is STILL the most played-with travel toy. I designed this kit to be compact, mess-free, and perfect for keeping kids busy on the go. The tin itself doubles as a play area , which makes it even more convenient for travel. The magnetic pieces allow kids to build cars, people, and more, and it’s incredibly open-ended—there are endless ways to play, no matter the age. My kids always find new ways to engage with it every time we travel. It's my best-selling product, loved by thousands of families around the world.
Mess-free, compact and very open-ended
Tin doubles as a play area
Includes magnetic magnetic tiles, cubes, rods, cars, bendy people and road tape
Click here and here to see how versatile this travel toy is!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. I only recommend products that I absolutely love and use myself. Your support helps me continue to create helpful content for families on the go!
