We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A kid-size lap desk designed to hold a tablet upright and keep everything your kiddo could need within arm's reach. It has a cup holder, a dry-erase board (that they can also use as an eating tray), and storage pockets for utensils and toys.
Promising review: "Literal must-have for traveling with kids. We use this on long car trips or vacations. It’s a great place to color and keep markers and pencils close and it's also great for eating in the car. Many vacations we grab fast food to eat while we are driving and it’s so much easier for the kids to eat with this tray that keeps all their snacks and food close to them. I honestly don’t know how we traveled without this!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $28.95 (available in 12 styles).
2. A beach tent that'll simply ~pop~ open once you find a perfect spot in the sand. This spiffy setup comes fully intact, creating a safe and shady spot for your little one to sleep — letting you stay out in the sun instead of trekking back to the hotel at nap time.
Promising review: "This was the best investment I made for our beach vacation with a 1-year-old! She was able to take her naps at normal time so we weren’t packing up to go back and forth. The extended floor was so nice to keep sand out and be able to sit and play with her. Holding onto it for the next trip, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone traveling with a baby or toddler!" —Heather
Get it from Amazon for $32.39+ (available in two colors).
3. A BabyBjorn Travel Crib small enough when collapsed that it'll fit in a carry-on bag! This is a great option if you're traveling with an infant who would *love* crawling into every nook and cranny of your hotel room. Parents rave about how easy it is to set up and put away, making bedtime easier even on-the-go.
Promising review: "I am so glad I purchased this. My little one (15 months) had a very hard time sleeping in the traditional pack 'n play that we had — plus it was always so tough to set up and take down. This crib is AMAZING. Not only did it take like 10 seconds with minimal effort to put up and take down, but my son slept just like he was at home in his normal crib. The mattress is soft and comfortable (based on my son’s ability to fall asleep so quickly). The crib also is a great size and doesn’t take up a lot of space (considering you’re staying in a traditional hotel room). If you are considering getting a new travel crib, GET THIS ONE! We are so grateful we did!" —Megan
Get it from Amazon for $279.99 (available in two colors).
4. And an inflatable travel bed (with a high-speed pump) for your big kids who have grown out of their pack-n-play phase. Honestly, this is more for you than your child. There's no way you'll get a good night's rest sharing a bed with your youngster. They sleep punch.
It's recommended for kids ages 3–6 years old.
Promising review: "These mattresses are awesome for toddler guests! Our little niece and nephew (ages two and three) were so excited and slept comfortably on them during their two-week stay. I ordered generic toddler bedding sets. They fit perfectly on these beds. They easily inflate and deflate with the pump provided and come with a convenient storage bag. This gets 5 out of 5 stars!" —MK78
Get it from Amazon for $70.99+ (available in two colors).
5. A compact first-aid kit for tiny travelers who won't let anything get in the way of an adventure — no ifs, ands, or ~cuts~ about it.
This 50-item kit includes bandages, gauze pads, triple antibiotic ointment, thermometer strips, nail clippers, safety pins, burn cream, and more. It even comes with stickers because...how could it not?
Promising review: "I love this so much! I keep it in my diaper bag and it has everything I need for those 'just in case' moments! I highly recommend this for any parent. A plus that their first-aid is latex free! I am actually thinking of buying a few more for the car and inside the house! It is great!" —just-cuz-Liz
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three styles).
6. A set of compression cubes designed to compress the air out as you zip them closed, meaning you're gonna have more than enough room to pack your matching family shirts for your next Disneyland trip, even if your teen insists on bringing extra clothes to change into the moment the family photos are taken.
Promising review: "I took my family of five to Disney in September and bought these packing/compression cubes. They were LIFESAVING for us. Well, maybe not literally but...trying to pack stuff for five people for nine days into two bags was a challenge. These packing cubes made it possible with a little room to spare for those precious souvenirs! We bought two of the three-packs rather than the larger pack because we didn't need the toiletry bag or the shoe bag. It worked out perfectly." —Tiffany H.
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $44.95+ (available in 11 colors and in two other pack sizes).
7. A travel bottle warmer that'll work with both wide and standard-sized bottles. This keeps water hot for *literally* hours. No electricity needed! No need to suffer with a crying, hungry babe who refuses to drink a chilled beverage...this has got you covered.
Promising review: "EXCELLENT travel bottle warmer!!!! We love this warmer and use it almost every single time we leave the house!!! The water stays hot for hours!! The longest we have done is about six to eight hours and each time, it is still piping hot and steaming when I pour it and it heats my daughter's bottle up easily in just a few minutes! Seriously 5 stars!"—ELMA16
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
8. A leakproof trash can sure to protect your pristine Prius from the trash that accumulates when your kids sneak snacks into the backseat.
Promising review: "Excellent! We used this for a road trip from Tennessee to Florida with two young boys (eight and five). As you can guess, that can get messy. My 5-year-old accidentally bumped a half bottle of water into it; I had no idea until I went to empty the bag. Not a single leak. Being that we were in a new jeep this was HUGE. Very happy with this. Easy to clean out too. It does take up some space in a smaller SUV, however the trade off is well worth it. For a road trip with young kids, it was perfect!" —Kim Lu
Get it from Amazon for $9.09+ (available in five colors).
9. An Anker charging port with six USB ports so everyone's devices can get to 100% at the same time, even if you only have access to one outlet.
Promising review: "I bought one of these before an international trip to ease the charging needs of two phones, a tablet, and auxiliary power devices. It worked extremely well. I just needed one outlet and one plug converter, and I could charge all my devices. I started using it for all my travel. When not traveling, it stayed in a drawer until I realized that it was even more valuable at home. So, now it sits on a desk in the kitchen, usually with one or more devices charging. When our adult children were home for Thanksgiving, it really got a workout. That's when I decided to buy two more as a gift for each of the boys. Highly recommended." —Blabby
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in black and white).
10. And a cord-free portable charger that'll work with an iPhone and iPad, which is a must if you've got a teenager whose personality dies the moment their phone does.
11. A travel urinal (with lid designs for everybody) sure to keep you from getting, ahem, pissed when your child decides they NEED to pee mere minutes after they refused to go in the public restroom you stopped at.
Promising review: "I purchased this for my son and our long car trips. How many times can we pull over to potty on a three and a half hour car trip? Ask my 4-year-old. When I saw this, I couldn't resist. We brought it along, and when he had to pee, no problem. It's only a little gross when you dump it later. Well designed, definitely recommend." —Evan
Get it from Amazon for $8.87+ (available in seven styles).
12. A coconut and shea butter moisturizing detangler, which has 8,000 5-star reviews (!!!), to keep bad hair days away from your family pictures. Spray this a few times, and the dreaded toddler knots that come from car seat naps will disappear — with no tears!
Adults also rave about this for their own hair! Reviewers say it detangles and softens straight and curly (including 4a–4c) hair!
Promising review: "All I can say is WOW!!!!! This is by far the best conditioning spray I have purchased. I have spent a lot of money on the expensive 'miracle detanglers' and 'miracle brushes,' coconut oils, and hours combing out big knots in my daughter's hair when this is all that’s needed! Her hair is a disaster full of knots after the beach. I sprayed this on before going to the beach and it made all the difference in the world. Goes to show that the expensive stuff is NOT always the best. PLEASE DON’T EVER STOP MAKING THIS!!!!!" —G
Get three from Amazon for $16.47.
13. And anti-humidity spray that'll work like a waterproof barrier on hair, blocking out the moisture in the air that leads to frizziness. If you don't want your family to look like a Mötley Crüe cover band on your tropical vacation, throw this stuff in your suitcase! It lasts up to 72 hours and through 2–3 shampoos, so your family photos should look great all vacation long!
Promising review: "This stuff is fantastic. I used it at an outdoor wedding in South Florida when the temperature was in the mid 80s and humidity at 92%. My normally super frizzy hair looked great the whole evening, no frizz at all. Make sure you use enough and blow-dry until it is completely dry. Would give it 10 stars if I could!!!" —victoria e.
Get it from Amazon for $12.
14. A chin support travel pillow ideal for anyone in your family who has a hard time falling asleep while sitting up. This nifty accessory wraps around the neck and keeps your noggin' from falling forward. With this, your kids won't suddenly wake up as their head falls down, and *you* won't be stuck with a crick in your neck all vacation long.
Promising review: "Love the chin support. I’m a chiropractor and know the importance of a child avoiding minor whiplash and micro-tears when they fall asleep. I bought for my own kids and love it so far." —Breanna Wise
Get it from Amazon for $38.97+ (available in four sizes and 11 colors).
15. A Tushbaby hip carrier that'll be much easier to clip on than a traditional baby carrier when you're only stopping for bathroom breaks and photo ops. This even has storage pockets large enough for snacks, a phone, and your wallet!
This is great for kids between 8 and 45 pounds. It's designed for four different holding positions — feeding/breastfeeding, side carrying, front facing, and face-to-face.
BTW, Tushbaby is a small biz run by three California mamas.
See why this mom calls the Tushbaby "the best invention for parents of young children" on TikTok.
Promising review: "This has been one of MANY items I have purchased thanks to TikTok, and I'm glad I did. Super easy to use, easy to adjust, and most importantly it helps with support tremendously. It comes with pockets and a place to hold bottles/sippy cups, which can be very handy. My 8-month-old weighs around 30–35lbs, and he's basically attached to me 24/7, carrying all day was killing my back and arms! Thank God for this invention, my arms and back can rest." —Jennifer Calle
Get it from Amazon for $84.99.
16. A portable white noise machine with soothing, spa-like sounds that are sure to help calm your kiddo when they're sleeping in an unfamiliar place.
Promising review: "We use it at night, during the day at home, and even on the go. With our first baby we had white noise on our phones, this just makes our lives so much easier. We just leave it next to the baby with timer, and she sleeps for a few hours" —Tatiana Figueiredo
Promising review: "This product has been a lifesaver! Our child LOVES the sound of rain/whitenoise and this has calmed her down in the carseat sooooo much. She dislikes the carseat and the portable machine has made our lives easier. We used it about everyday for a month before the batteries finally died. Worth the money 100%." —Brianna
Get it from Amazon for $12.08.
17. A travel cooler for keeping fresh snacks inside your car. It's pretty typical for toddlers to need food every 3–4 hours, so having snacks and drinks inside the car helps prevent crankiness between meals.
Promising review: "This is the perfect lunch bag to take on a picnic or road trip. It is big and roomy and can hold items for the whole family. I can pack all of my kid's snacks in one bag. The design is sleek and looks nice." —Adam
Get it from Amazon for $12.59+ (available in three sizes and five colors/patterns).
18. A hands-free portable neck fan — this is USB rechargeable, has three speeds, and it lights up! If you and your kids are constantly battling over the temperature in the car, this just might be the solution you didn't know you needed!
Promising review: "I absolutely love these! We did nine days at Disney and Universal in August. They were a lifesaver! Great battery life and easy to recharge at night. I can’t tell you how many people stopped to ask me about then! I highly highly recommend this!" —[email protected]
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in seven colors).
19. A pack of children's Dramamine you should definitely hand out as a precaution before getting in the car if your kids get motion sick easily. When I was a child, my parents referred to our car as the "vomit comet." Don't make your car deserve a similar nickname.
20. And a pack of vomit bags with a twist and seal structure that can save the day (and the family vacation) when your kid starts getting motion sick the minute you fasten their seatbelt.
Promising review: "If you are a parent and you have to road trip with any number of children for any number of hours, you NEED these in your vehicle. These little bags are so small and fit in the little pouches behind the seats. I bought them for our last road trip and, unfortunately, ended up using them not once, but TWICE. :-| They caught all the particles and we were able to throw the whole thing away at the next rest stop. I will never go anywhere without these." —Megan 1
Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $9.99 (available in multiple pack sizes).
21. A refillable roll-on sponge sunscreen applicator sure to make putting on sunscreen (both on your kids *and* on yourself) less of a chore. This goes on fast and blends in easily — no mess required!
22. A pack of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers so your toddler can have all their snacks at once, without turning the backseat into a sandbox full of crushed-up fish crackers.
Promising review: "What a lifesaver! I mean really! My daughter loves her snacks, she also loves to make a mess, give them to the dog, or fill her car seat up with them. Then she cries when she has nothing to eat. My wife picked one up at Target and man... we used it so much, we couldn't clean it fast enough. SOOOO we bought a few more. and for less than $5 for two.... this is a no-brainer!" —jeffgrantMEDIA
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.96 (available in two pack colors).
23. A stick-on shade to block the sun's bright rays and *hopefully* make nap time easier in the backseat. A road trip sans temper tantrums is about as comfortable as things get.
24. A Montessori busy board with all the zippers, buttons, laces, and buckles your child could possibly desire! Add this to your road trip entertainment arsenal and watch them spend hours fidgeting with this flat-packed pal.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this busy board! We bought this to keep our 1-year-old distracted on a 3.5-hour airplane ride. She absolutely loved it and couldn’t stop playing with it. We tied it to the seat tray so it didn’t slide all over. It is easy to carry, fits into a backpack no issue, and I love that it is all one piece: no tiny pieces to misplace!"—LEG 585
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in seven styles).
25. A Doona car seat stroller that'll convert from a safe and cozy car seat into a stroller simply by popping out the legs! Now you won't bother your baby by moving them from their car seat when you're out and about.
Promising review: "This is the best infant seat ever. The Doona makes life so much easier. Having three kids, grocery shopping is a breeze with the Doona. My oldest pushes the baby, which leaves the car open and my hands free. I just wish it were a little lighter in weight." —Christina B.
Get it from Pish Posh Baby for $550 (available in 10 colors).
26. Or an all-terrain stroller so lightweight and compact it can fit in the overhead bin on a plane. When your kid has been on a flight for hours, waiting for a stroller to be retrieved from storage after you deplane may feel like a millennium. Plus, this stroller can conquer all the cobblestone streets or rocky gravel paths your vacation may take you through!
It folds up so small that it was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and it only weighs 9.5 pounds.
Promising review: "This is a must-have for all parents with toddlers, especially if you are going on a trip. We went to a place where they do not recommend a stroller because it’s too bulky and gets in your way. Well, using this was not a problem at all. People were amazed at how this thing works, and it’s really handy. Very easy to fold. Very light and not space-consuming in your trunk! Love it so much!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $209.99+ (available in three styles and two colors).
27. And don't forget a stroller cover to keep your kiddo nice and dry if your vacation is nothing but showers.
Promising review: "A must-have for vacations. This rain cover and mosquito net were perfect for our vacation! It fits over our stroller nicely and was great for the two-day trip we took to Cincinnati as some days we used the net and one day it rained when we went to the zoo so we used the cover! The baby didn't get overheated inside and was a happy camper since he could see through it. Very easy to use and worth every penny!"—Tlake33111
Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in three styles).
28. An anti-blister balm that'll keep your family from feeling de-feet-ed by painful blisters on your kids' feet, even on intense hikes.
Promising review: "I can not say enough good things about this product. Let me tell you, this little purple bottle is a life saver. I have a couple of pairs of shoes that I haven’t been able to wear because they cause blisters. But with one swipe of this, no more blisters. I can now wear my cute shoes again!" —Jennifer Gomez
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
29. A travel wallet with enough room to hold every paper and card you could possibly need for you *and* your family.
Promising review: "It's wild to think I once had all my travel documents all over the place — in my purse, backpack, my pocket, and such. I would often scramble to find what I need. With this wallet, EVERYTHING can be kept in one place. It makes your life so much easier. If you are prone to lose things, THIS IS A LIFE SAVER! So worth it." —Joseph
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in 29 colors).
30. A portable door lock so you can add some extra security in seconds without a single tool in sight.
This thing is super strong and takes less than a minute to install. Just open the door and insert the claws on the back of the silver piece into the "strike" of the door (the hole where the lock fits in) and then close the door. After you've done that, take the metal rod on the red handle and insert it into the butterfly hole on the silver piece. This completely locks the door handle – no one from the outside could even try to peak in.
Promising review: "This is a LIFESAVER...literally. Thanks to Add-A-Lock's simple design and simple instructions, my 18-month-old can no longer leave the apartment and wander the halls or attempt to take rides on the elevator in my apartment building. This is well worth the money. I give 5 stars!!" —Lori S.
Get two from Amazon for $29.95.
31. A Lugabug travel seat — this game-changing "chair" can attach to a carry-on suitcase so your tiny toddler isn't dragging their feet past every Cinnabon in the airport on the way to your gate. There are...so many Cinnabons.
It's recommended for kids two and up and can hold up to 50 pounds.
Promising review: "I purchased and used this for a two-week trip to Europe with my 4.5-year-old. It was an absolute dream! My daughter no longer uses a stroller but gets restless in long lines and struggles with those mad dashes to catch a train or connecting flight. I looked at the cool ride-along suitcases for kids. But they just added another piece of luggage with little storage. This device was not only much cheaper than those suitcases, but it was more practical for us. I was skeptical, so I ordered it early enough to try it at home. I highly recommend this so you really have a chance to get it adjusted to fit your kids well. We were able to pack just one large suitcase with our items combined. The device fits easily in the front pocket when we weren't using it. It was an absolute dream and eliminated so much travel stress. Durable, comfortable, and worth every penny. 100% satisfied!" —Dawn
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
32. A sand removal bag so you can "dust off" your kids before everyone gets into the car after a day at the beach. The bag is filled with a talc-free, reef-friendly powder that will ensure the sand stays outside, where it belongs.
See it in action on TikTok here.
Shakalo is a San Diego-based small business founded to figure out a way to help people, especially parents remove sand before leaving the beach. The soft fabric pouch allows the powder to remove the sand without scattering everywhere.
Promising review: "We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1x–2x a week. I even use it on my dog's paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of. I will definitely be buying the refill and another baggie to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (also available as a three pack).
33. And finally, an essential oil roll-on stick made with peppermint, spearmint, and lavender essential oils. You can apply this to your neck and pressure points when your kids aren't the *only* pain in the neck you experience during your trip.
One of my BuzzFeed coworkers considers this is a life-changing solution for some people with migraines.
Promising review: "My wife has chronic migraines, nearly every day. This migraine headache stick roll-on is the first thing she grabs when her migraines strike her. She has found it to be one of the most effective relievers she has and relies on it almost daily. I am reordering now because she literally doesn't want to be without it. Only this time I'm purchasing two of them so that she can have one at home and one in her purse. If you have headaches and need relief, you should give it a try." —Denny L.
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
Now that the family is all squared away, it's time to pack your own bags.
