7 Family Travel Essentials That Every Parent Needs for Stress-Free Trips
- Jillian
- Aug 21
- 5 min read
Traveling with kids is an adventure in itself and let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like we’re moving an entire house through the airport. Over the years, I’ve learned what’s actually worth packing and what just ends up being dead weight. These are the tried-and-true 7 family travel essentials I always bring with me, whether we’re hopping on a plane to Europe or road-tripping to Disneyland.
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🎒 The Travel Backpacks I Can’t Live Without
Every mom needs a backpack that doubles as a mobile command center. Mine always has room for snacks, iPads, chargers, passports, and yes, the stuffed animal that suddenly becomes “the chosen one” mid-flight. Look for one with lots of compartments and padded straps.
There are tons of travel backpacks out there, but this one has never let me down. Compact, durable, and surprisingly spacious, perfect for airports, car trips, or chasing kids.
Perfect for travel, commuting, or anything in between. Fits a ton, really comfortable, and keeps everything organized. I’ve had mine for 5+ years, and it still looks brand new.
🧳 Away Suitcases – Worth Every Penny
Yes, luggage is an investment, but my Away suitcases are worth every penny. Smooth-rolling wheels, a compression system that tames overpacking, and tough enough to survive baggage chaos. They come in fun colors, look sleek, and I never travel without at least one.
Away Suitcases By Size
I’m usually not a carry-on-only girl, but this one is a dream. Fits in almost any overhead bin or tiny car trunk, and thanks to compression, it somehow holds way more than it looks like it should.
Not quite a carry-on, not a giant, this medium suitcase fits plenty, handles travel
chaos like a champ, and still looks sleek while I juggle kids and snacks.
When I really need to bring the kitchen sink (or two kids’ wardrobes), this large suitcase is my go-to. Tons of space, tough enough to survive airport chaos, and still surprisingly easy to roll. Just be careful with the weight, because it fills up fast!
⚡ 3-in-1 Wireless Charger (All the Power, One Device)
Between my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, I used to travel with a tangle of cords that made my bag look like a spaghetti explosion. Now, my 3-in-1 wireless charger keeps everything powered in one sleek spot, no extra cables, no outlet battles, and no stress. It folds flat for easy packing, plugs into a single outlet, and charges all my must-have devices overnight while I sleep. One gadget, three charges, zero clutter.
There’s literally no trip I take without this in my bag. It keeps all my devices charged and is so compact it barely takes up any space.
💧 Owala Water Bottle – The Only Bottle That Survives Our Family
At this point, we have at least eight Owala bottles scattered around the house, the car, and probably one hiding under the couch cushions. They’re basically family members. Why so many? Because once you try one, there’s no going back. They keep water actually cold (even after a full day of kid chaos), they don’t leak all over my bag, and the FreeSip straw means the kids actually drink out of them without spilling half down their shirts. Honestly, I don’t even consider other water bottles anymore—it’s Owala or nothing.
Owala Options
Big enough to keep the whole crew hydrated, spill-proof, and the FreeSip straw actually gets the kids to drink. We probably have five of these hiding around the house.
The perfect travel water bottle for chaos on the go, spill-proof, easy for kids to sip, and keeps drinks cold for hours. One of our absolute favorites.
🥤 Electrolyte Packets – Mom’s Secret Survival Juice
Dehydration hits different when you’re running on three hours of sleep, chasing kids through airports, and negotiating snack treaties mid-flight. Enter: electrolyte packets. These little lifesavers (I swear by Ultima) are basically travel magic. I toss one in a water bottle and suddenly I’m a semi-functioning human again. They’re tiny, easy to pack, and even my kids will drink them without complaint. Honestly, they’re the closest thing to a reset button for jet lag, meltdowns, and “why did I think this trip was a good idea?” moments.
I used to run long distances, so I’ve tried them all and I always come back to these. They come in packets or tubs, and honestly, something would be very wrong in our house if there wasn’t one stashed in every bag that leaves with us.
🎧 Headphones for the Whole Family
Airplane screens are basically useless without headphones and I refuse to be that mom blasting Peppa Pig to the entire cabin. The kids get kid-sized headphones (so they don’t slip off their tiny heads), and I bring noise-canceling ones for myself so I can pretend I don’t hear “Mom, Mom, MOM” on repeat. Pro tip: pack an extra pair, because someone will definitely lose theirs under the seat 20 minutes into the flight.
Headphone Options for Everyone in the Family
Not the highest quality, but let’s be real, kids will lose or break them anyway. These are perfect for travel without breaking the bank.
They’re a splurge, but these are the ones I constantly reach for to drown out whining, bickering, and general chaos. Absolute travel must-have.
These are strictly mom-only because if the kids got their hands on them, they’d be gone in two seconds flat. Perfect for solo travel, walks, or sneaking in a TikTok binge while the kids nap in the hotel bed next to me.
🍿 Snack Stash (The Holy Grail)
Listen, snacks aren’t optional, they’re straight-up survival gear. I pack everything from Goldfish to granola bars in individual bag for the kids so I can whip them out like Oprah: “You get a snack! You get a snack!” Sometimes I make the kids carry their own stash in their backpacks… which lasts about 12 minutes before I end up hauling three extra bags because suddenly everything is “too heavy.” But hey, at least we’re not dealing with hangry meltdowns at 30,000 feet.
Final Thoughts on Family Travel Must-Haves
These family travel essentials keep me organized, sane, and ready for anything. If you’re planning your next trip and need a gear upgrade, these tried-and-true items will make travel smoother, easier, and maybe even a little fun. Because let’s be honest, anything that keeps the kids fed, hydrated, and semi-happy deserves a spot in your bag.
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