Multi-use Must Haves for Traveling with Kids!
The kids curiously touching the water in Hot Springs, AR
What do you need when traveling with kids? Do you already have these items around the house? Here's the top 5 multi-use must haves for traveling with kids. Plus, I give a bonus item! *Note: Some links are through Amazon Associates, where I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Let’s dive right in! Here’s a list of five things that are essentials for families when they travel. Now, this is obviously not an exhaustive list, but I want you to think of these items as multi-use tools, okay? So, reframe your thinking away from each packed item only being useful for one purpose. We are going full on Swiss Army knife style here!
Before we dive in to packing tips, how about some tips to keep your sanity while traveling with kids? If you want the top 5 tips proven to help keep your travel party happy, click here.
Let’s start with this one, it’s an amazing UV towel. It’s not just any towel, think of it as a UV protection blanket that’s UPF 50+. I'm saying “blanket”, but I think it's the size of a kid's bath towel. Yet, they make several different towel sizes. Most of my family members have sensitive skin, so when we're out and our skin feels kind of tingly (with no shade in sight), it's a great way to have sort of a sunscreen barrier to put around your shoulders. This one is thin, so it doesn't take up a lot of packing space. It can be a car blanket, a beach towel, a quick cover up, or even to wipe up a spill in the car. Since this towel is so compact, it’s easy to pop in a sink if you need to hand wash it too! I could really go on and on about how many compliments I’ve received about these towels, and the variety of uses they have! Plus, this is a small business here in the United States.
Luv Bug mermaid towel
This second one you have in your house, probably almost all the time: plastic (ziploc style) bags. Before you get out the pitchforks and want to protest the fact that it’s wasteful, hear me out. As a mom, we try our best to keep ourselves sane, and if this helps, I’m all for it. Bring the sandwich, quart, and gallon bag sizes. At least one size for each family member. I say this for several reasons. They don’t take up much space but can be a saving grace in several scenarios. Does each size per family member sound like a lot? Maybe, but on my last trip I had to trash my quart size liquids bag because my hairspray leaked, and I was very happy I could replace my liquids bag easily! What's so amazing about the bags is you can use them for obvious things like snacks, and so much more! When you have something that's gross and you don't want to touch it, turn the bag inside out, wrap it around your hand, and use it as a glove then throw it away, and you are done. The gallon bags can hold wet bathing suits, sandy or muddy kid shoes, clothes with spilled milk - you get the picture. Last bag idea - put your phone in it and zip it up! So, if the kids have sicky or greasy fingers, but you need to entertain them while you're doing something (taking a very short break perhaps?) it's a great way to keep your phone clean.
Ziploc style sandwich bags
I know this one is going to be a no-brainer for some of you, and then others of you might roll your eyes. Number three is a printed and digital list. I like to start and create it on my phone, and then finalize with a paper list. So, if you get stopped as you're packing things, and you have to refocus yourself from being distracted (kids seem to make the most mess when you have things to do…). Starting with the digital version allows me to add in items that might not be on the paper list to begin with and allows me to add if I’m away from the paper copy. That way if I need to go check in the car make sure something's packed etc, I can check because my phone will probably still be with me.
Begin a list on your phone to remember details, then create a paper copy
Number four is a backpack and I'm specifically saying backpack for several reasons. I really love all the features and uses of this backpack. But I'm saying backpack specifically because it's important to distribute weight to both shoulders (your chiropractor would agree). It's just nice to have weight evenly distributed on both shoulders, especially if you have one side that you usually put your purse on. This backpack fits under plane seats, is made of the same fabric they use for baby diapers (aka super easy to clean), and so many different useable compartments. The bottom even has a little zipper where you put your shoes in, so your shoes don't get everything all dirty in the rest of the bag! Because even your extra gallon plastic bag might not hold those extremely muddy adult shoe sizes.
Backpack that’s easy to clean with multiple compartments
Number five I’ve been teased about from my husband…but he was VERY grateful the last time we used this one! Digital and printed confirmations. Especially a screenshot of ticket confirmations *saved to my phone. This might seem kind of silly since we always have our phone. However, when you husband assures you that we have the international phone plan…but your phone doesn’t work in Canada, you need this! Printed hard copies are good too, but it takes longer to search through my things when the kids are spinning the suitcases to stay entertained in queues. I've also been trying to board the plane while the app is refreshing, then gave up and used my screenshot confirmations. You will thank me when you can get on the plane, boat, (insert mode of transportation here) easier!
Screenshot of ticket confirmations - saved to your phone
I’ll also throw in an extra bonus item! A mini first aid kit. This one is multi-use because the contents in it can be used a variety of different ways. The kit doesn’t have to be big, fancy or even purchased. You can usually get these as a giveaway from festivals, conferences, or conventions. Mine has antiseptic towels, a mini burn cream, Neosporin, Advil, and of course Band-Aids. So, it's not a ton of things, but I have been in situations where we've been out, and it's really come in handy. Like when our curious kid touched the end of the sparkler. That burn cream especially came in handy.
The more you travel, the faster and easier this will become. At first gathering and packing all the family travel items can be stressful or daunting, but ask yourself: Will my planning and organizing for this trip be all worth it for the memories? If the answer is yes, then keep that motivation while packing and planning!
Good luck with your packing! If you are interest in more travel tips, go check your FREE guide created just for moms.
What are your top five items for traveling with kids?! Send me an email or connect on social to let me know!
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