Gear we actually use

Trunki Ride-On Suitcase

Kids can ride it through airports

Doubles as an amusement ride during long terminal walks. Fits 18L of clothes. Approved carry-on on most carriers. Kids beg to carry their own bag.

Osprey Ozone Carry-On 40L

Premium soft carry-on that fits everywhere

Clamshell opening, padded laptop sleeve, and a hideaway harness turns it into a backpack. The family workhorse — fits under most seats including Ryan Air.

Samsonite Omni 2 Hardside 20"

Indestructible spinner for parents

TSA lock built in, spinner wheels that actually spin in all four directions, and it bounces off baggage carousels without a scratch.

Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier

Hiking carrier for kids up to 22kg

For destinations with trails — Costa Rica, Iceland, Peru. Freestanding when you set it down. Ventilated back panel, sun canopy included. Best fit adjustment system.

Skip Hop Forma Backpack Diaper Bag

Converts to stroller bag, looks like a backpack

Magnetic closure, insulated bottle pockets, changing mat included. Doesn't scream 'diaper bag'. Fits a full day out for two kids under 4.

eBags Packing Cubes 6-Piece Set

The single biggest upgrade to family packing

Color-code by person, separate clean and dirty, and repack in 4 minutes flat. Slim and double-sided cubes compress down surprisingly well.

Babyzen YOYO2 6+ Stroller

Fits in the overhead bin on most aircraft

The gold standard for travel strollers. Folds in one motion to cabin-bag size. Acceptable for Air France, Singapore Airlines, ANA overhead bins. 6-month+ recline.

Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier

Newborn to toddler, all carry positions

Newborn-ready with no insert needed. Front, back, and hip carry. Used in Kyoto temple walks, Amalfi stairs, and Reykjavík lava fields by Padav families.

Mountain Buggy Nano V3

Compact fold that takes rough terrain

Narrower than a YOYO (52cm) so it fits cobblestone alleys in Rome and Lisbon. Full recline for naps. Folds smaller than a standard umbrella stroller.

Tula Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier

Ergonomic carrier from 7–45 lbs

No newborn insert needed. Padded waist belt takes the weight off your shoulders. Structured seat keeps hips in M-position. Machine washable.

J.L. Childress Gate Check Bag

Protects your stroller at the gate

Gate-checked strollers get thrown. This heavy-duty bag protects wheels, frame, and fabric. Doubles as a backpack to carry your stroller through the terminal.

Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 Car Seat

Rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster in one

Slim profile fits three-across in most mid-size SUVs. Machine-washable cover. Rear-faces to 40 lbs, booster to 100 lbs. Perfect for road trips in Europe or the US.

Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible

Lightest FAA-approved car seat for flights

Only 8.7 lbs. FAA-approved for use in aircraft. If you're renting a car at every destination and flying first, this is the one to check.

Wayb Pico Travel Car Seat

Folds flat like a pizza box

Forward-facing, folds to 3 inches thick. Perfect for families who travel often but don't want a cheap seat. FAA-approved. Comes with a travel bag.

BubbleBum Backless Booster Seat

Inflatable booster that fits in your carry-on

For kids 4–11 who've outgrown a harnessed seat. Inflates in seconds, deflates and rolls up to fit in a day bag. Certified in US and UK.

Adventure Medical Kits Family First Aid

Pre-packed wilderness kit for families

Covers 4 people for 7 days. Includes kid-dosed medications, SAM splints, blister kit, and a genuinely useful manual.

Oral Rehydration Salts (Hydralyte)

Stomach bug insurance

Essential in SE Asia, Mexico, India. Kids dehydrate fast from traveler's diarrhea. Pack 10 sachets minimum per person.

Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repeller

Rechargeable, DEET-free mosquito protection

Creates a 110 sq ft protection zone. Silent, no spray. Works in Thailand, Vietnam, Costa Rica. Safe around kids.

Marpac Hushh Portable White Noise Machine

Sleep anywhere, any timezone

USB-charged, clips to strollers. The single best tool for infant/toddler sleep in noisy hotel rooms. 3 sound modes.

Sunscreen for Kids (Badger SPF 40)

Reef-safe mineral sunscreen

Zinc oxide only — no oxybenzone, no octinoxate. Required for snorkeling in Hawaii and many coral reef areas. Easy to apply, no white cast.

Pepto-Bismol Chewables (Travels pack)

Kids' digestive emergency kit

For kids 12+. Adults: take two before a restaurant meal in high-risk destinations. Dramatically reduces traveler's diarrhea incidence when taken prophylactically.

Airalo eSIM

Data in 190+ countries, no physical SIM swap

Buy a local data plan on your phone before you land. Japan 1GB = $4.50, Europe 3GB = $9. No locked devices needed.

Anker 737 Power Bank (140W)

Charges 3 devices simultaneously

26,000 mAh — charges an iPhone 13 times. Bi-directional USB-C passes through at 140W. TSA-approved carry-on.

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter

Works in 150+ countries

4 USB-A + 1 USB-C + 1 AC outlet. Covers UK, EU, AU, US plug types in one compact unit with surge protection.

Apple AirTag (4-pack)

Track bags, strollers, and kids' backpacks

Slip one in every checked bag, stroller, and kid's day pack. Find My network covers 180+ countries. Saved hundreds of families from lost luggage nightmares.

GoPro Hero 12 Black

Waterproof action camera for family adventures

Waterproof to 33 feet — no case needed. HyperSmooth 6.0 keeps kids' chaos watchable. Mount to helmets, snorkel masks, or strollers.

Puro Sound Labs BT2200 Kids Headphones

Volume-limited wireless headphones

Hard-capped at 85dB — protects developing hearing on long-haul flights. 22hr battery. Foldable. Ages 3–12.

Sony WH-1000XM5 (parents)

Best noise-cancelling headphones on the market

Multipoint Bluetooth lets you switch between phone and laptop mid-flight. 30hr battery. Worth it on a 14hr flight with a screaming infant in row 22.

Melissa & Doug Water Wow Reusable Activity Pads

No-mess toddler activity, water-activated

Zero ink, zero mess, reusable. Keeps 2–5 year olds busy for 45-minute flight segments. Fits in any seat pocket.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet

Drop-proof kids tablet with 2-year worry-free guarantee

Kid-proof case, 12-hour battery, 1 year of Amazon Kids+ subscription included. Pre-loaded apps work offline. Cheaper and more durable than an iPad for travel.

Crayola Mess-Free Color Wonder Kit

Markers that only show on special paper

Flat-out impossible to ruin a white shirt or airplane seat. Works at altitude. Zero smell. Large format kit includes 30 pages and 10 markers.

CosmoGlo Ring Light (for flight selfies / vlogs)

Portable ring light for travel content creators

For families who document trips. USB-powered, adjustable brightness and temperature. Small enough for a carry-on, good enough for semi-professional results.

PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag

Built-in ice pack, stays cold 10+ hours

Gel is built into the walls — freeze the whole bag overnight. Keeps yogurt, cut fruit, and cheese cold from check-in to landing. Zero ice packs needed.

GoGo Squeez Applesauce Pouches (Variety)

TSA-approved, no-mess fruit pouches

Pouches under 3.4oz each pass TSA individually. Kids eat them vertically so no spills. 100% fruit, no added sugar. Pack 2 per kid per flight segment.

KIND Kids Chewy Granola Bars

Nut-free, school-safe, packs flat

Nut-free so they're allowed on aircraft and school trips. Lower sugar than most kids' bars. Chewy texture keeps kids occupied longer than a cracker.

Hydro Flask Kids Wide Mouth Straw Lid

Insulated water bottle, keeps cold 24h

Double-walled stainless steel — ice water stays cold on a 6-hour Roman walking day. Straw lid means no fumbling with caps while keeping a toddler in hand.

Collapsible Silicone Kids Bowl Set

For hotel-room meals and airport picnics

Three nest flat, dishwasher-safe. Split into two equal portions without fighting. Great for cutting fruit in hotel rooms with the Swiss Army knife you definitely packed.

Columbia Boys/Girls Tamiami Shirt (UPF 40+)

Vented, quick-dry fishing shirt for hot destinations

UPF 40 blocks 97.5% of UV. Vented back panel. Dries in 2 hours flat. The Galapagos, Mexico, Southeast Asia standard. Looks good enough for a restaurant.

Merino Wool Base Layer (Icebreaker Kids)

Regulates temperature from chilly to cool

One merino top = 4 days without washing. No smell. Perfect for Japan shoulder seasons, Iceland, Patagonia. Machine washable unlike most wool.

Keen Newport H2 Sandal

Waterproof kids sandal for all terrain

Closed-toe so kids stub toes on cobblestones without crying. Dries in an hour. Works for rivers, city walks, beaches, and light hikes — one shoe does it all.

Sunday Afternoons Kids Play Hat

UPF 50+ hat that actually stays on

Neck flap plus UPF 50+ coverage. Chin strap keeps it on in wind. Bucket brim protects face and ears. Lighter than a cap, better coverage.

ExOfficio Kids' Give-N-Go Underwear

Antimicrobial quick-dry travel underwear

Washes in a sink, dries in 6 hours. Bring 3 pairs instead of 7. Used by families who travel for 2+ weeks carry-on only.

Bellroy Travel Folio

Passport, cards, boarding passes, SIM tool — organized

Holds 4 passports, 6 cards, a pen, and boarding pass wallet. The best family travel wallet we've found. RFID-lined.

Zero Grid Travel Neck Wallet

RFID-blocking passport pouch

Wears under clothes — invisible to pickpockets. Holds 2 passports, credit cards, and emergency cash. Essential in markets and crowded transit hubs.

Durable Luggage Tags with Address Card

Bright, durable, locked with steel loop

Identify bags in seconds on a carousel. Stainless steel loop won't snap. Include a secondary phone number since primary may not work internationally.

TSA-Approved Travel Lock (Wordlock)

Word combination instead of numbers

Kids can remember a word combo. Cable style wraps through zippers. TSA-keyed so agents won't break it open. Color-code bags with multiple colors.

Waterproof Document Protector Bags

Keep passports dry in rain, water parks, boats

Vietnam boat trips, Iceland waterfalls, Costa Rica zip-lines — passports and tickets need a waterproof home. IPX8-rated, clear front.

Google Maps (offline maps)

Download city maps before you land

Download a 50km offline map at the airport. Works with zero data. Save hotel, key restaurants, and playgrounds as starred locations before you go.

TripIt Pro

Aggregates all your bookings into one timeline

Forward any confirmation email to plans@tripit.com. TripIt builds a master itinerary. Real-time flight alerts and gate changes sent to your phone.

iTranslate Converse

Real-time two-way voice translation

Point phone at a menu or sign: instant text translation. Hold up and speak: voice translated to target language in real time. Works offline for 40+ languages.

Trail Wallet (budget tracker)

Daily budget tracker for family travel

Set a daily budget per trip. Log spends in seconds. Quickly shows if you're on track across currencies. No bank sync — just intentional manual logging.

PackPoint Packing List App

Generates packing lists based on destination + weather

Input destination, duration, and activities. PackPoint generates a list that accounts for local weather, planned activities, and duration. Syncs across parent phones.

Lounge Buddy / Priority Pass

Airport lounge access with kids

Layovers with kids are a different sport. Lounge = food, quiet, charging, sometimes a play area. Priority Pass ($99/year) pays for itself on one transatlantic connection.

World Nomads Explorer Plan

Best for active families & adventure trips

Covers medical evacuation, trip cancellation, gear theft, and adventure activities (hiking, surfing, snorkeling). Families can buy per person.

Allianz OneTrip Prime

Best cancel-for-any-reason coverage

Strong trip interruption payout (150% of trip cost). Covers kids under 17 free with insured parent. Good for pricey trips.

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

Best for long trips & digital nomad families

Monthly subscription model — perfect for trips over 3 weeks. Covers kids under 10 free. Low deductible in most countries.

Credit Card Travel Insurance (Chase Sapphire)

Free coverage if you book with the right card

Chase Sapphire Reserve includes primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation up to $10K, and lost luggage reimbursement — just by using the card to pay.

Natrol Melatonin Kids Gummies

1mg melatonin, strawberry, for ages 4+

Low-dose melatonin resets circadian rhythm. Start 30 min before target sleep time for 3 nights after crossing 5+ time zones.

TEMPUR-Travel Pillow

Memory foam neck pillow that actually works

Most travel pillows let your head flop. TEMPUR's contour actually holds position. Essential for 10hr+ overnight flights.

Manta Sleep Mask

Blackout eye mask with zero eye pressure

Modular eye cups float over eyes — no pressure, no light leaks. Parents can sleep on daytime flights while kids watch movies.

Woolino Kids Sleep Sack (Merino)

Regulates temperature in unfamiliar hotel rooms

Merino wool self-regulates from 61–79°F. Kids sleep better in a familiar sleep sack in a new environment. Machine washable. For ages 2 months–2 years.

Slumberpod Portable Blackout Tent

Blackout pod for pack-n-plays and mini cribs

Covers a pack-n-play completely. Blocks 100% of light. Critical for northern Europe summers (Iceland, Norway, Scotland) where it doesn't get dark until midnight.

Luminette Light Therapy Glasses

For parents resetting their own circadian rhythm

Wear for 20 min in the morning at destination time. Faster jet lag recovery than any supplement. Especially useful crossing more than 6 time zones eastward.