10 Travel Lifesavers

stock8
Vacations can be stressful…especially when you are traveling with kids. I am always looking for things that will make travel easier.  There are certain items that I kick myself when I forget them because I consider them essential for a trip.  Here are my 10 Travel Lifesavers…

  1. Travel-size tripod: I am not a selfie stick person…yet.  I’m avoiding it because I’m afraid I’ll become addicted to it and become one of those people on vacation that film themselves walking down the street.  But I do like to use my tripod when we are alone where no one can see us.  It’s more reliable than balancing my camera on a rock wall.
  2. A fold-up tote bag:  My mother-in-law brought one to Greece and it was a brilliant idea.  We brought that tote with us everywhere from the beach to the museum.  It was perfect to carry lots of cold water bottles and snacks when we went to attractions and also for towels and sunscreen for a quick trip to the beach.
  3. Baby wipes: I cannot get enough of these on vacation.  I start using them on the plane and they never leave my side.  They are great when kids need to wash their hands or to wipe down tables when you’re out.  I get so grossed out by the amount of things you touch while on vacation!
  4. Power strip with USB charger: My family always has the need to charge our electronics at the same time.  However, in a hotel room there may not always be enough outlets.  If you have a power strip you can charge them all in one place.  When it’s time to pack up, all the cords are in one place so none get left behind.
  5. Mesh laundry bags:  I hate having clothes heaped in a pile in a hotel room.  Putting dirty clothes in a mesh bag separates it from your clean clothes and keeps your room a bit neater.  It can also be used to bring toys to the beach since the sand will shake out before you get back to your room.
  6. Travel-size sunscreen:  I am notorious for forgetting to put sunscreen on my children.  I only remember after we leave the hotel and are out of reach from stores.  (It never fails.)  I now carry a travel size sunscreen in my bag at all times.
  7. Underwater camera: You would not believe how many cameras I have ruined by taking them to the beach.  Don’t even ask my husband…it’s a sore subject.  I now carry an underwater camera whenever I am going to be near water.  They’re great for the beach, pool, kayak, or boat.  They are small so they can easily slip into a beach bag or purse.
  8. Messenger bag: I like having my hands free when I’m at attractions so I like my bag to be over one shoulder.  I also think it is a safer way to carry your possessions.  My messenger bag has to be big since I always turn into the camel of the family and end up lugging around all our stuff.
  9. Headphone splitter:  No matter how many movies I put on my girls’ electronics it is inevitable they will want to watch the same one.  A splitter will prevent whining (well…at least about the movie.) because they can watch it at the same time.
  10. Outlet adapters: After ruining my straightening iron in Sardinia by using the wrong outlet adapter, I spent the entire week with my hair in a bun.  I now research which adapter is used in the country and always bring one, even if the hotel says they provide one.

 

What are your most important travel essentials?

35 thoughts on “10 Travel Lifesavers

  1. Tara

    A couple of other super helpful items for us are:
    – a string of rope, perfect for creating a make shift clothes line for wet bathing suits
    – battery operated candles make great night lights in a hotel room or cabin

    • mytravelingkids.com

      These are great! I always forget a nightlight and the girls end up waking me in the middle of the night when they need to use the bathroom. Great idea for the clothes line. I hate cluttering up the bathroom with wet bathing suits everywhere. Much easier if they are all hanging in one place. Thanks Tara!

    • mytravelingkids.com

      Me too, especially when my kids were little and we would have to drag a ton of toys to the beach to entertain them. If I put the toys in a regular beach bag we would bring piles of sand back to the hotel. Much neater in a mesh bag.

  2. Great suggestions! I also always bring my iPad because it can double as so many things… nightlight, sound machine, e-reader, etc. 🙂

    Karin | truncationblog.com

  3. I always pack a few dresses when I’m on vacation and it’s been such a space saver! They’re easy to dress up or down so I’m always ready for whatever we decide to do. I’m also addicted to witch hazel for a toner/skin cleanser. It freshens up my face instantly, whether I’ve been walking down grimy streets in an old European city or got a little too much sun on the beach. Seriously, it’s my skincare secret!

    • mytravelingkids.com

      Witch Hazel…great tip! I’ve never used it but I know my skin hates me when I’m traveling. From the dry air on the plane, to the wind and sand on the beach…my skin must wonder what the heck I’m doing. Maybe I’ll pick some up for our trip in April. Thanks for the tip! Always looking for good skincare suggestions.

  4. Awesome tips! I need a headphone splitter for my same thing loving kids 🙂 Seriously, though, why do siblings always want what the other one has (even if it is the SAME THING!).

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I hear ya! My girls can have no interest whatsoever in the other’s movie until she starts watching it. All of the sudden she MUST watch the same thing!! haha!

  5. cross body bags are my favorite for traveling too. i also love to bring a bag for my wet bathing suit and ez bags which i roll my clothes up into to save space in my suitcase for souvenirs

  6. These are all great tips! Never thought of the baby wipes! I always have them in the car, why not in my luggage!? I found lotion wipes a few years ago, too, which means 1 less “liquid” component in my liquids bag!

    • mytravelingkids.com

      Lotion wipes? That sounds amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them. I’ll have to look for them.

  7. allaroundthemidwest

    I always carry my portable charger and head phone splitters are a no brainier! Great list!

  8. These are all on point. I need to buy that charger thing. I also want to get the headphones so my husband and I can share a movie on our long flight to Europe ! I’m so excited ! Great post ☺️
    Danielle | AccordingtoD.com

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I remember plane trip where my husband and I were watching a movie on his IPhone and we were using one set of headphones…each with one bud in our ear. We must have looked ridiculous! A splitter makes it much easier!

  9. This is a great list! We travel quite a bit, and many of these show up on our must-pack lists, too! 🙂 I’ve resisted the selfie stick for a while, but I finally broke down and bought one earlier this year for a press trip. I still feel totally goofy using it and prefer my little travel tripod, but it’s good when I need a quick picture and don’t want to set up the tripod (like in a big crowd).

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I’m going to cave and just get one. My arms are too short for a good selfie sometimes 🙂

  10. anniebobs85

    Great tips – wipes are an essential for every journey for sure. I’m always there wiping down our table at restaurants before we sit down, especially as our toddler normally ends up eating off that instead of his plate!

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I think that’s exactly what started my obsession with wipes. My kids would always drop their food on the table and then put it in their mouth. I get so grossed out by the gross towel they use to wipe down the table. How many tables has it touched…yuck!!

  11. thewordhermit

    Awesome tips. We always stuff plastic grocery bags in our suitcases for laundry, but it’s a stinky option. Also the portable tripod is a great idea.

    • mytravelingkids.com

      Plastic grocery bags are a great idea. I hate when my dirty clothes touch my clean clothes even though I wash them all after the trip anyway.

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I had one from Walmart but it didn’t last too long. Ordered a better one from Amazon and have had it forever.

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I got my first one at Walmart but it didn’t last long. I ordered a better one from Amazon and have had it forever.

Comments are closed.