9 Family-Friendly Travel Must-Haves
Every new parent has an incubation period where it seems easier to stay home than to run even the smallest errands with baby. Once you’re finally ready to venture out, the question becomes what exactly do you need to pack? The pregame preparation can be even more daunting when you’re going on a trip—whether it’s a couple hours on the road or several hours in the air. So, how do you decide what’s worthy of a spot on your packing list? Start with these portable game changers to get you from door to door, coast to coast or sea to sea without breaking a sweat.
There’s two major questions that need to be answered when feeding baby on the go (whether that’s at a restaurant, a hotel, a vacation rental or a relative’s house). First, do they have a high chair, and second—do you even want to use it? Take the guesswork out of dining anywhere with an easy to tote and assemble high chair. The Clikk comes with its own travel bag and comfortably seats little ones up to 3 years. It’s durable and stylish enough to be your at-home high chair, too.
Buy it: Stokke® Clikk High Chair Travel Bundle, $199; Stokke.com
Just go watch the video and say you’re not amazed—this stroller literally folds and unfolds with a flick of the wrist. The YOYO2 is sure to be your new favorite companion anywhere and everywhere. Lightweight and compact, it’s first-class in portability and comes with an included carrying bag and a tremendous range of accouterments. Plus it’s perfectly sized to fit in the overhead compartment on a plane.
Are you a parent to multiples or two tots who still need to be toted around? With the YOYO connect, any YOYO2 can instantly transform into a double stroller. The ultralight adapter hooks onto the back of the carriage, providing optimal security and easy access to your little ones.
Buy it: Stokke® YOYO² Stroller, $449; Stokke.com Stokke® YOYO connect, $379; Stokke.com
There’s an entire ritual around feeding small kids that really doesn’t translate to eating on the go. This four-piece set brings all the essentials along to make mealtimes go more smoothly. Leftovers or pre-portioned meals can take a ride in the stackable containers and sealable bowl. The spoon folds into an integrated case (and stays there with a built-in spoon rest). A spill-proof sippy cup rounds out the set. Your kiddo will appreciate the perfectly sized tableware, and you’ll appreciate not having to worry about things going sideways in your diaper bag.
Buy it: Skip Hop Baby Feeding Travel Set, $30; Amazon.com
Bathtubs are the final frontier in baby travel. After all, it’s hard to find a baby tub that’s truly portable, and there’s no real replacement for them if you’re dealing with shower-only accommodations. The Flexi Bath, though, is a multiuse wonder that actually folds flat and is easy to use, easy to clean and easy to store. You can use it with or without a stand and there’s an adaptive attachment to support infants. It even boasts a temperature gauge. So if you won’t have access to a tub, there’s no need to take the dishes out of the sink.
Buy it: Stokke® Flexi Bath® Bundle, $79; Stokke.com
Make sure your tiniest traveler’s zzz’s go uninterrupted, even when you’re on the go. With an optional travel and storage bag for seamless portability, this lightweight and easy-to-assemble bassinet is the ultimate travel companion. Use the newborn position for baby’s first 6 months, then just lower the mattress when they can pull themselves up (until 9 months). Developed with sound sleep in mind, the Snoozi is made from breathable fabrics to ensure optimal airflow so your little one can maintain a comfortable temperature while sleeping—plus, it comes with a removable and machine-washable mattress cover (no worries about diaper blowouts!).
Buy it: Stokke® Snoozi™ Bassinet, $399, Stokke.com Stokke® Snoozi™ Bag, $69, Stokke.com
Accidents happen—and when you’re on the road, they’re bound to happen at the most inopportune times. Keep all manner of mess contained with a leakproof bag. This one from Bumkins keeps wet clothes, swimsuits, dirty diapers and anything else that you don’t want touching everything else separate until you can make it to a washing machine. A snappable strap makes it easy to keep on a stroller, diaper bag or that little hook on the airplane seat in front of you.
Buy it: Bumkins Waterproof Wet Bag, $12; Bumkins.com
One thing I learned about traveling with little ones? Not every location is stroller-friendly. For moments when you’re walking through the mud, squeezing through a crowd or managing more bags than you have hands for, a good baby carrier is a lifesaver. This one from Stokke transitions from newborn to young toddler with three different carry positions (front, back and hip). It has the structure of a soft-sided carrier, but is as lightweight and portable as a wrap. Stash it in your diaper bag so it’s ready to go when you are.
Buy it: Stokke® Limas™ Carrier, $149; Stokke.com
First class is awesome for fliers of all sizes—extra legroom, lie-flat seats and world-class service. Of course, all those amenities come at a premium price. Luckily you’ll be able to turn any airline seat into luxury accommodations for less. The JetKids BedBox allows kids to rest comfortably by attaching to their seat and creating a footrest that’s long and sturdy enough for children over 2 to sleep on. Worried about having one more thing to manage? Older kids (3+) can even ride on this wheeled suitcase. And if you need to take along a safe spot for your toddler to sleep once you arrive, the CloudSleeper by Stokke is a kid-sized inflatable mattress that folds down into a compact packing cube. Stash it inside the BedBox for easy storage, and your little one will be ready to rest on the plane and at your final destination.
Buy it: JetKids™ by Stokke® BedBox™, from $229; Stokke.com JetKids™ by Stokke® CloudSleeper™ Inflatable Kids Bed, $129; Stokke.com
Traveling often means sleep schedules get thrown to the wind, so anything that helps to keep them soundly dozing is a win. That’s not always easy when you’re away from home, though. Fortunately, you can clip this tiny sound machine to a stroller, crib, playpen or car seat and comfort baby with a familiar, soothing sound. And with over 6 hours of playtime on a single charge, you won’t have to search for an outlet mid-nap.
Buy it: Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Sound Machine, $30; YogaSleep.com
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