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!Â
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.Â
- 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.Â
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 starts next week! It will feature up to 25% off viral favourites + FREE Shipping and the launch of our new convertible backpack activity bags. Join the email list to get early access.
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.Â
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.
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!