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Get ready to roll
Spring break is almost here and summer is on the way so our thoughts are turned to family travel. If you and your little ones have plans to hit the road, sky or water anytime soon, be sure to check out this excellent travel gear. From compact strollers to travel trays, we’ve got options to keep your travels (almost) hassle-free.
Use the arrows above the image to check out all the ideas.
Pack ’em up
The award-winning Ergo carrier has been a lifesaver (not to mention back-saver) for parents; supporting your baby the way you would naturally while distributing weight evenly across shoulders and hips. Made of 100 percent breathable cotton, the Ergo is versatile and can be worn in the front, back or hip position, letting mom or dad be hands-free. Check out Ergo’s different collections, from organic to travel.
The Boba wrap is a lightweight and budget-friendly alternative and is also small enough to fit in your purse! The Boba holds kids up to 35lb and comes in a large selection of colors. You can also use it while breastfeeding and it even acts as a small privacy shield while you nurse. It’s stretchy and comfortable to wear but it does take a little practice to get used to putting it on.
Why we love these products: With kids and/or babies in tow, hands-free is always a good thing.
Best for: Anywhere, anytime.
Easy strollin’
Whether you’re playing jet-setter with your toddler, exploring the streets of a new city or on a road trip that requires lots of pit stops, having an umbrella stroller makes for quick, easy mobility. The UPPAbaby G-Lite is the big (little) stroller that’s got lots of features, including a removable cup holder, washable soft padded seat, extra sunshade and tall, ergonomic handles dads will no doubt appreciate. Hand-operating triggers save you from any fancy footwork, and the shoulder strap is indispensable for travel.
The Graco Jetsetter is a slightly cheaper option and it also has lots of great features. It can be folded with one hand for speed and convenience on busy trips. It comes with a tote-style carry bag, a large storage basket and locking front-swivel wheels for easier maneuverability. It’s also compatible with the Graco Click Connect Infant Car Seat.
Why we love these products: Both strollers are light, easy to handle and offer more features than most travel strollers.
Best for: Airports, sightseeing, anywhere you need quick, simple transportation for your kiddo.
High chair everywhere
This washable and compact portable high chair from Cozy Cover has a soft harness that attaches securely to an adult chair while snugly enveloping your baby. Perfect for travel, it can be rolled up and popped into a purse or diaper bag.
The Chicco quick seat is a little more expensive and more heavy-duty. It snaps securely to a dining table and comes with a dishwasher-safe tray. It’s bulkier than the Cozy Cover but holds kids weighing up to 37 pounds.
Why we love these products: Both products are portable and you can use them in your rental accommodation or restaurants without having to worry about lugging your own high chair or relying on a restaurant to have one.
Best for: Anytime, anywhere.
Carry-on crib
Guava Family’s Lotus Everywhere Crib is getting rave reviews from parent travelers. It’s light, extremely portable, and sets up in 15 seconds (no joke!). When packed, it converts to a backpack that qualifies as a carry-on (for most airlines), so it’s great for airport layovers.
The Graco Pack and Play Portable Playard is more affordable and also a great option for families on the go. The push-button fold makes it quick and easy to set it up. It packs away neatly and comes with a carry case.
Why we love these products: There’s a side door on the Lotus that can be zipped and secured, improving the “crib” experience for your child. It’s also great for when you want to soothe your child to sleep but don’t want to hang over the railing. The Graco is great value for the money and will last for years.
Best for: Hotels, air travel, road trips, camping, sleepovers.
Bring your own bed
For kiddos who have transitioned into “big-kid beds” (and for parents who want to keep it that way), the Shrunks Tuckaire travel bed can be a great option. Completely non-toxic, it’s designed so that any size sheet can tuck into the inner mattress, and the Jetaire electric pump makes for quick inflation and deflation.
The Regalo portable toddler bed is a budget-friendly alternative that folds out in seconds. The durable steel frame gives your kid a good solid base and it even comes with a washable fitted sheet that goes on top. It folds neatly away and weighs just over six pounds.
Why we love the products: Your tots will love having their very own special bed, which (hopefully) will make sleeping away from home a little easier.
Best for: Hotel stays, camping.
Kid-friendly headphones
Sit next to any little kid listening to headphones, and you’ll probably be able to make out the words to the song of the hour. This can make for a long plane flight. The around-ear, ambient noise-reducing ear cups of Califone Headphones deliver protection against exterior sounds, so no need for loud volume.
LilGadgets headphones are another great option. They have some nifty features like a sharepoint that lets you connect to additional headphones without the need for a splitter. These headphones also have a max volume of 93 decibels to protect kids’ ears.
Why we love these products: These cute headphones are designed with kids in mind, and they’re sturdy enough to endure many a family trip.
Best for: Air travel, road trips, camping.
The ultimate travel tray
Set your little globetrotters up for successful (and fun-filled!) travels by giving them lots to do along the way. The Star Kids snack and play travel tray provides a sturdy surface for toys, crayons, travel games and snacks. It’s made of soft, durable, 100 percent nylon with soft foam reinforcement that folds on impact. Easy and safe to use, it is also washable.
Kenly Kids offer a slightly swankier version that comes in a few different patterns. It also has a tablet holder and collapses into a stylish bag with an adjustable shoulder strap.
Why we love these products: These car trays are a godsend for long car rides, and the large pockets on each side can hold a lot of goodies for those kiddos with short attention spans. Also, the side walls prevent things from falling off the tray (and parents having to crane into the backseat to retrieve them).
Best for: Road trips, airplanes.
Go green
Go green with Itzy Ritzy’s Reusable Snack Bags. These sweetly designed sacks are machine washable and feature a durable, water-tight lining. Thick and soft, they’re large enough to hold a full sandwich and are ideal for snacks, crayons, cell phones, iPods, cameras, etc. Best of all, the locking zipper feature contains crumbs and drips. Throw them in the laundry for repeated use.
Stashers are also ideal for snacking on the go. They’re reusable, dishwasher safe and a little more compact than regular Tupperware.
Why we love it: Both products are eco-friendly, BPA-free and FDA-approved food safe. And there’s no loud, Velcro-ripping sound!
Best for: Air travel, road trips, camping and everyday use.
Editor’s note: Allison Holm and Vicky McDonald contributed to this article. It was originally published in 2015 and updated most recently in March 2021. This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase products through links on our site, ParentMap may earn an affiliate commission.
