Pro tip from the parents among our travel experts: Back-To-School Season is the perfect time to stock up on items that are also absolute essentials for traveling with kids!
Even if you don't have a family trip coming up, take advantage of sales to fill up an activity pack to keep kids entertained on your next adventure. Our experts hand-picked some of their favorite products that do double duty for school and travel.
Family Travel Favorites
Traveling with kids can be tons of fun... or a headache. The Only In Your State parents hand-picked back-to-school items that they also love for travel.
Cute & Affordable Kid-Safe Headphones
These durable, adjustable headphones have a volume-limiter to keep kids' ears safe & come in both wired and wireless styles. There's also a 2-pack bundle!
A Packable Backpack That We're Buying For Ourselves Too
We found this while looking for school bags, but it's great for kids & adults alike. This daypack can fold up to the size of a book, so you can pack & carry it anywhere!
Best Deal: Art Supplies
Tablets are great, but the parents among our travel experts agreed: good old-fashioned crayons and paper are the most useful travel activity items for kids - and you won't find better deals than during Back-To-School Season.
The selection at Walmart is particularly great, as items like colored pencils, washable markers, and sketchbooks are cheap & plentiful, but you can also find sales on useful gear like kid's backpacks, snack packs, and more!
Other Family Travel Essentials
While not your typical school supplies, these items were popular picks from our family travel experts for both home & vacations.
A Kids Car Tray To Keep Activities Organized
This adjustable activity tray has a white board to doodle on, pockets for pens & crayons, and a tablet holder.
A Kids Snack Spinner For Easy Nibbling
Editor Kali A. recommends this snack spinner for both road trips and plane rides. It prevents so many messes!
Never Forget To Reapply Sunscreen
We're absolutely obsessed! These waterproof stickers change from clear to purple when exposed to UV rays, reminding you when it's time to reapply sunscreen. Stick one on clean skin, apply sunscreen over the top of it, and when the UV protection starts to wear off, the sticker will change colors. It's a great way to teach kids about responsible sunscreen use!
Medicine-Free Nausea Relief Bands For Kids
Editor Andrea L. recommends these nausea relief bands: "My kids ask for these in the car. They truly make a difference!" Several of our (adult) travel experts use & love them too!
They fit like sweat bands, but have a small plastic knob that applies gentle acupressure to the inside of your wrist, which can help reduce nausea. They're comfortable and safe to wear for long stretches, which makes them great for bumpy plane rides, carsickness, and seasickness. Plus, unlike many anti-nausea medications, they won't make you sleepy!
A Super Cute Kids Luggage Set For Under $50
Several colors of this 5-piece kid's luggage set are currently on sale! It may feel early to think about holiday shopping, but this set makes for a great gift!
Fun Bandages That Just Make Boo-Boos Feel Better
Bumps & bruises happen, but colorful bandages work magic with kids. Welly is a favorite among parents - including our travel experts.
An LCD Doodle Tablet That Won't Break The Bank
A no-mess doodle tablet is great for kids on-the-go! This one has a removable stylus string to keep it from getting dropped or lost between seats.
A Classic Activity That's Still A Favorite: Wikki Stix
Kids today love Wikki Stix as much as we did decades ago! These non-toxic, wax-coated craft strands stick to smooth surfaces without glue & can be used to create little 3D figures too. They're also a great fidget toy for nervous travelers (kids and adults alike!)
Hand-Picked Hiking Gear For Kids
Watching kids explore new territory, make discoveries, and overcome obstacles is one of the best parts of being a parent, and hiking is a great way to disconnect from technology and reconnect with family. However, if you've ever hit the trails with littles, you know that family hiking has its challenges.
While we can’t ensure a completely stress-free family hiking experience, we do know some fantastic kids’ hiking essentials that make hitting the trails with kiddos a lot more enjoyable!
What are your top travel essentials that make family trips easier?
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