10 Must-Have Travel Essentials for Parents with Kids (After 100+ Flights!)

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.

What we love about this travel stroller:

• Fits in the overhead bin

• Buggy board for older kids

• Easy to fold and carry

• One-handed, one-second fold

• Backpack carry case fits both stroller and buggy board

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

My favourite way to travel with our cards and avoid losing them is to use these adhesive hanging tabs on each Yoto card and then use these wire ring loops to keep everything together. 

And if you saw my reel, we also love using this zippered credit card holder for storing all of our Yoto cards (it holds up to 40 cards!)

Two 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, and it’s also included in the Ultimate Travel Kit Bundle.

• 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! 

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.

I kept getting Facebook ads for this Gooseket Toddler Sling, and I was honestly so skeptical that it would work but decided to give it a try, and now it’s one of my top travel essentials! It's perfect for those clingy pick me up/ put me down toddlers who just can't decide if they want to be independent, sit in the stroller or have mom and dad carry them. Not only is it actually very effective at distributing the weight (and saving your arms/back), but it's also SO small, convenient, and supports up to 44lbs. 

I had previously looked into other types of toddler hip carriers, but they look so bulky when not in use. This sling is very lightweight and just looks like a strap across your body, and folds up small enough to fit into a fanny pack/cross body bag. 

Click here to see how easy it is to use!

My cross-body bag / fanny pack from Roncy Packs has been an absolute game-changer for my travel essentials. Hands-free convenience is so important when travelling with kids, and these bags make it easy to stay organized while on the go. Their story makes them even more special though ... Roncy Packs is a local family-owned, women-run (mom + 2 sisters) business in Toronto that makes bags from upcycled materials sourced locally, reducing waste and making each piece unique.

I own the medium and large sizes, both of which I use regularly. The large is my go-to for travel, especially at the airport, while the medium is great for day-to-day outings. They also just launched a convertible mini backpack style, which look really great for travel!

These bags fit all my essentials - snacks, passports, glasses, phone charger and emergency lollipops - without being bulky. There's a zippered pouch inside for storing important things and I just love how stylish, comfy, and spacious these bags are - I have gotten SO MANY compliments and requests for a link over the years.

The RideSafer Travel Vest has been an absolute game changer for us. Once my older kid reached the booster seat age, I knew I needed something lightweight, portable, and easy to use for taxis, ride shares, and travel. This vest is perfect for that! It folds easily into a backpack, making it super easy to carry and store—no more bulky booster seats!

The RideSafer Travel Vest is crash-tested and meets all safety standards, so I know my child is secure on the go. It’s incredibly convenient when you’re traveling and needing to use taxis or Ubers. Plus, the design makes it super easy to put on, and it fits comfortably on your child.

What I love about the RideSafer Vest:

• Portable, lightweight and fits in a backpack

• Crash-tested and safety-certified to meet federal standards (FMVSS213)

• Super easy to use with a 3-clip design to position the seatbelt correctly

• Perfect for travel and solves the Uber/taxi problem

For families who have kids who’ve outgrown a traditional car seat, this vest is a life-saver. It’s super convenient, especially if you’re hopping between taxis, Ubers, or even renting cars.

Important note : It’s not a car seat and should not be used for young children who still need a traditional car seat. It’s best for kids aged 4 or 5+.

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 and moved onto the RideSafer Travel Vest , 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

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.

And last but not least, public restrooms with kids... we all know the drill: don’t touch ANYTHING! That’s why I always carry a few of these disposable toilet seat covers with me. These covers are small, individually wrapped, and easy to store in my bag. The adhesive strips keep them securely in place, and the XL coverage ensures my kid’s hands (and clothes!) stay far away from the toilet seat. They’re a total lifesaver when you’re out and about and need to make a bathroom stop with little ones.

• Small and individually wrapped for easy storage

• Adhesive strips keep the cover in place

• XL coverage to ensure no hands or clothes touch the toilet seat

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!