Just 29 Products Parents Say They Actually Swear By For Traveling
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If you don’t want to suffer through incessant “are we there yets,” I’d highly recommend grabbing a snack tray and tablet holder.
Posted on Oct 1, 2026 UTC
by Jessica Hall BuzzFeed Contributor
I am a contributor and former BuzzFeed Shopping writer based in Cincinnati, OH where you can find me curating lists on ~a little bit of everything~ (and adding a few things to my own cart in the process).
Promising review: "Bought this to keep my toddler entertained during a seven-hour road trip AND IT WORKED. Easy to set up quickly, stores away flat, great size, and convenient pockets to hold the dry-erase pens and eraser (included). We did lots of coloring, but also used it as a stable table to play with other toys and eat snacks. Definitely recommend getting one!" —Chloe Young
Get it from Amazon for $22.09+ (available in 11 colors).
Newton
I got this for my daughter, and I can tell it makes a huuuuge difference. Pack-and-play mattresses are notoriously uncomfortable, but this one actually has some padding. It is also made from Newton's traditional material, which is breathable, unlike other brands. It's significantly larger than the old one I had, and I can tell it's a lot more comfortable for my daughter. She is quite petite, but she flips and flops all over the place while sleeping, so having this space helps prevent her from slamming her head against the sides. The only drawback is that it is a little bit larger when packed up (which makes sense since it's so much bigger when built). But honestly, that doesn't bother me too much. When we check it on an airplane, those extra few inches don't make a difference. I can see it becoming an issue if you already have limited space on a road trip, but we were able to fit it in my trunk with no issue (even though we were stuffed to the brim because babies have A LOT of stuff to travel with).
Check out the travel crib in action on TikTok.
Promising review: "The deluxe travel crib and play-yard is exactly what I was looking for. My almost 2-year-old toddler is tall enough to climb out of a standard pack-and-play and won't sleep unless she is contained. (Which is fun to learn when you’re in a hotel room on vacation in a small town with limited shopping options 🫠). This is the only travel crib I could find that would keep her in so we can actually spend the night away from home again." —Heather
Get it from Newton for $299.99.
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 to put up and take down with minimal effort, 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 is also a great size and doesn’t take up much space (especially if 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 $199.99+ (available in two colors).
I don't typically worry about my daughter sleeping in complete darkness on vacation, since her room isn't like that at home, so I didn't really think this would make a difference for me. Boy, was I wrong. Once she started getting bigger, I realized sharing a hotel room with her wouldn't work; she has way too much FOMO to sleep when we are awake right next to her. This has made it so we can share even the tiniest of rooms, and she can still get a peaceful night's sleep without wondering what we are doing while she tries to fall asleep. Since we don't worry about it being completely blacked out, we don't fully zip up the sides to let a little light in.
Promising review: "We used this for a week-long trip to California, where we stayed mostly at a hotel, but then stayed with family for a few nights at the end of our trip. It worked out perfectly! Quick setup (though I wish the darn metal pieces weren’t so long, haha), and despite that, it’s still easy and lightweight once it’s all up! It fits in one side of my carry-on suitcase! Great to know we’ll have complete darkness for naps and bedtime for my 1-year-old! We just used it again this weekend when we went out of town, and I'm just so happy about the purchase I needed to leave a review!" —Hannah
Get it from Amazon for $199.99.
Promising reviews: "Purchased to easily add light blocking to windows when we travel and the kiddos need to nap in a room without blackout curtains. The combination of suction cups and Velcro provides flexibility in mounting, and the room darkening works well. It’s a great value for the price." —Brian
"My kids need the room to be pretty dark to sleep. I didn’t have much faith in this, but I needed to try something. These are AMAZING!! Absolutely worth every penny. Instantly darker and helps keep the room at a comfortable temperature." —Julie T
Get it from Amazon for $23.08+ (available in five designs and packs of two).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "We are totally obsessed with our Yoto mini. It’s a travel essential for us, and new cards make great holiday or new trip gifts. My 4-year-old can operate it on his own, and we love the make your own cards as well. This is absolutely the toddler and young kid toy I recommend the most to friends." —M. Picardi
"Well, I guess this has replaced our Tonie boxes! The convenience of the Yoto Mini can’t be beat. It’s small and easily portable. The battery life is fantastic, and we can get a couple of days' worth of listening on a single charge. The cards are not made of paper, as I initially thought. They are durable plastic cards. It’s easy for my 2-year-old and 3-year-old to use. The variety of cards is fantastic as well! I was so happy they have Disney and Paw Patrol options! I highly recommend this little audio player!" —Morgan
Get it from Amazon for $79.99.
Promising review: "Must-have for any type of travel! We’ve used this on a few trips so far and could not be happier with it. Compact, easy setup, and makes cleaning bottles and pump parts a breeze while on vacation. It will be coming with us everywhere we go!" —Megan P.
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
Promising reviews: "My only regret is not buying sooner! They are perfect for travel and everyday use. I like how well they cover the toilet. Must buy!! Worked perfectly on the airplane toilet, too. Not only that, but the quality is great, not too thin." —West
"LOOOOOOVE THESE. I bought these for my recent Disney trip. They are huge; they cover the entire seat with a little extra, so there’s zero worrying over touching the seat. And best of all, they’re a good paper material. It’s thick, unlike the paper-thin ones you’d find in the stalls at Disney. An absolute must for moms since kids don’t fit on the seat all that great, or like mine, who puts her hands on the seat. Even with no kids, if you hate public restrooms as I do, just put like two or three in your bag for the day, and you’re golden." —Stephanie Toledo
Get a pack of 22 covers from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a pack of 44).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It's recommended for kids aged 3–6 years old.
Promising review: "Just buy it! This has been the best travel purchase for our family. Our 3-year-old slept so well, and so did we, knowing he was secure in a cozy spot. No more getting kicked by a toddler in the middle of the night! Parents can actually get some rest on vacations! We do have an electric inflation pump, which I would recommend. VERY happy with this toddler travel bed." —C. Callaway
Get it from Amazon for $29.50+ (available in three colors and a two-pack).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Learn more about how to clean, sanitize, and store infant-feeding items from the CDC.
Promising review: "These sterilizer bags are so convenient! They’re easy to use, work quickly, and give me peace of mind that everything is clean. I especially love how perfect they are for travel. When staying in a hotel without a kitchenette, I could still sterilize bottles and parts right in the microwave. Compact, reusable, and super practical!" —Everyday Finds Edit
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I bought this to use on an extra-long road trip for our son’s iPad and Nintendo Switch. It was very easy to install and worked great! It was sturdy when placed between the headrest bars, with a strong grip that held both devices securely. It expanded nicely and rotated easily. Was very happy with this product and highly recommend." —MLC
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors)
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "10/10 recommend this for baby ear protection! We took our baby on his first flight at 4.5 months, and he slept the entire four-hour flight!! I'm thoroughly convinced it is because of the noise-canceling ability of this product. The only downside is they do look a little ridiculous (in an absolutely hilarious and 'Omg, I want to squish those baby cheeks' kind of way). Everyone on the plane said our kid looked like a little linebacker, but they were all so impressed that he didn't cry once or even wake up during takeoff or landing! If you're a new parent or a seasoned parent traveling with a little one, do yourself a favor and buy these!" —Mandy
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in eight colors).
Promising reviews: "If you travel with kids/family, these are a must-have.They maximize your luggage space by compressing clothing... awesome product! We used them on our Tampa trip, and we were able to get close to that 50 pounds per luggage limit." —TJF@Denver
"Buy them! I have been using these for three years and worth the investment! They hold everything when traveling, especially with kids! I received another set of packing cubes and ended up tossing them. These hold up. Love them so much I am buying another set for the kids' stuff." —Amanda jong
Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in packs of two, four, or six and in nine colors/designs).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The foot rest can be inflated to three heights and comes with an eye mask, earplugs, a dust cover, and a drawstring bag.
Promising review: "We bought two of these for a long flight with our kids. We wanted to allow them to rest as easily as possible. They were easy to inflate and fit perfectly to fill the space between their seat and the seats in front of them, creating a small 'bed.' Our kids loved being able to lie down a little bit more to rest. At the end of the flight, they deflated easily and packed back up in the bag. We will use these again for future flights, and we will have to try them in the car." —Birrell
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in four colors, two versions, and a two-pack).
Amazon
This has a variety of sound options, a clip for easy attachment, and a long-lasting battery.
Promising review: "We’re so glad we spent the extra money on this sound machine. The battery life is excellent, and it’s become the only sound machine we use. It’s perfect for travel, camping, stroller naps, or anytime we’re away from home. We like to pack light, and this is small enough to toss into a diaper bag without taking up much space. It costs a little more than some alternatives, but the reliability, long battery life, and portability have made it well worth it. We’ve never regretted buying it." —Real Rockies Reviewer
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in five colors).
Nuna
The car seat comes with the base needed to install it in your car, but you can also install it without a base using a seat belt, which is super helpful when traveling and taking cabs!
Car seat and stroller shopping was way more intimidating than I expected. Before I started my research, I just assumed all car seats were basically the same thing, just from different brands, but boy, was I wrong. This was a newer car seat that is known for being incredibly lightweight, which is something I was looking for cause I didn't wanna lug around a bulky version wherever I go. I also love that it comes with a base you can leave in the car and just snap the seat in and out, but you can also use it without a base, which is super helpful when traveling, when we needed to take an Uber or anything. Not to mention, there are green indicators to tell you when the seat is installed correctly, which is super helpful, especially for a first-time mom, since installing seats is really intimidating, so just having peace of mind that I did it correctly is sooo nice.
Promising review: "Our baby LOVES this car seat. Very light, comfortable, and easy to wash." —MadelineS3
Get it from Nordstrom for $650 (available in five colors).
Amazon
Promising review: “Love the organization I can achieve with these. I bought two to go on each seat for my girls. We travel quite a bit and usually, their things end up all over the car. I love that I have so many pockets to put all their items in and that they’re in one location instead of scattered about the back seat!" —Av1dR3ad3r
Get it from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in four colors).
Jonley Gifts / Etsy
Ever Held is a small business based in Myrtle Beach, SC, specializing in home decor, personalized items, and cheeky T-shirts.
This set includes: a blank board for free draw, a blank face to create a character, Connect 4, Dots & Squares, Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, two dry-erase markers, and a durable zip pouch with a removable wrist strap.
Promising review: "So adorable! Out of several similar travel game options, my kids liked this one best. The quality is amazing for the price." —Samantha Grace
Get it from Ever Held on Etsy for $29.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It's recommended for kids ages 4–11 or 40–100 pounds.
Promising review: "I had my doubts initially, but decided to order this for a trip with our 5-year-old. I’m so glad I did! It worked great and was super convenient. It collapses quickly and is light, so I carried it in my carry-on bag and then was able to quickly inflate while waiting for our ride share. It positioned my child appropriately for the seat belt, and I was especially impressed with the shoulder strap positioning, which is not even a feature on many normal backless boosters. It was so helpful to not have to worry about ordering and waiting for a car with car seats/boosters." —LynnS
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three styles and multi-packs).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
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 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 that doesn't 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 by 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 $189.99+ (available in three styles and two colors).
PSA: It goes without saying, but please keep your eyes on the road while the vehicle is in motion.
Promising reviews: "Can anyone tell me how we have lived so long without this??!! This little camera is so amazing!! I used to be so scared and didn't want to travel anywhere on my own because I would get scared that I couldn’t see the baby! And this awesome gem popped into my life, and wow, I love it! My mommy friends are now purchasing one too!! They can’t believe how amazing this product is!" —Marivel
"This camera is a new must-have. I was using a mirror and was constantly readjusting it and relying on my mirror to see his mirror, and it was stressful. I knew there had to be something better when I ended up driving at night with my 2-month-old to the hospital, and he was freaking out, and I couldn’t see him, so I was pulling over to check on him every few minutes, and it was a nightmare. This camera has been my saving grace. I was hesitant at first, reading reviews saying it’s not night vision, but mine automatically switches to night vision even in parking garages. I love that I can see my baby and not have to fix a mirror. Or turn my head to see fully what’s going on with him in the back. I really, really recommend this for peace of mind!! —Jennifer C
Get it from Amazon for $26.98+ (available in two versions).
Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the seat belt release tool in action.
This is also a great option for parents who have a hard time unbuckling car seats, especially those with joint pain or arthritis.
Promising reviews: "I am a new mom with carpal tunnel, and it was very easy to use to get my daughter out of the car seat. Especially when traveling at the airport, it can be attached to your keys." —Jasmine Delgado
"I got this because I have three kids, and since I have captain chairs, my 4-year-old sits in the third row. I can toss it back to him after I’ve parked or when I’m in the carpool line, and he can unbuckle himself and his siblings, and I don’t have to climb into the car. It’s GREAT! I also like how it doesn’t attach to the car seat like some similar products, and I can keep it up front while the car is moving. So much safer!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in seven colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This bad boy is super versatile and a must-have for new parents. I got it before I gave birth to use during labor, and then I kept it in her diaper bag to use on her stroller, at restaurants, or even in the house if she's napping and it's feeling a little toasty. I love that the arms easily bend, so you can find a way to attach it basically anywhere, rather than having to find a sturdy place for it to stand.
Promising reviews: "Incredible to travel with. I have one at home that stays bedside and one I travel with! Absolutely love this product!" —Jen
"I got this for my newborn since we live in South Florida and it’s very hot for the majority of the year. I used to have a clip-on fan for my first child, but the clip broke, and there were a limited number of places you could put it because it was a clip-on. I’d seen so many others using this fan with the legs, so I decided to try one, and I’m so glad that I did. You can use the fan in more places, and it’s easy to travel with and charge. Very happy with this purchase." —Andrea Lynne Rose
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two colors).
Amazon
Promising review: "This car seat tray for kids is definitely a necessity for road trips. The tray is so handy for the kids' meals. Easy to set up. My son also uses it for his toys. The quality and durability are great for the price. It comes with a cup holder adapter, so it’s versatile for all car seats. The material makes it super easy to clean." —kelsey b.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in seven colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "We bought this for our 3-year-old for an extra-long car trip, and it was amazing! It supported her head well, and she said it was cozy and soft. It allowed her to actually sleep on the car trip, whereas before her nap was completely ruined because her head wouldn't stop falling down and waking her up, and she was miserable. Highly recommend!" —R. Thompson
Get it from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in four sizes and nine colors).
Promising review: "We went on a 10+ hour road trip with my 4-year-old twins, and these were a lifesaver!! They have a great battery life, connect quickly, stay on well, and the boys said they were comfortable. They’re really soft and easy for the kids to use. I would recommend these 100%!" —PhillipTriantis
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in 14 colors).
Wildride
These are designed for children ages 9 months–4 years (up to 44 pounds).
Oftentimes, I have myself a stage-five clinger, and let me tell you, those 25 pounds start feeling realllyyyyy heavy after walking around for 20+ minutes. This is amazing because it holds my daughter up from her butt, helping take some of the weight off my hip, so I am not doing that awkward side bend trying to stick my hip out for more support. It's super easy for my daughter to get in and out of, so when she starts squirming to get down, I can get her out, and then when she inevitably wants to get back up like five minutes later, I can do that too. This is so great for the airport because she is constantly wanting to get up and down, but I can easily snatch her up when we suddenly realize we are in a *hurry* to get to the gate. It's especially nice cause it can pack down pretty small, so once we are on the plane, we don't have a big, bulky thing taking up a chunk of our already very limited space.
Get it from Wildride for $99+ (available in three colors and other versions here) or Nordstrom for $110(available in two colors).
Promising review: "I bought this for a road trip for my 2-year-old, and immediately we fell in love. It has an amazing rubber case that prevents damage when he drops it. It also has tons of kid-friendly educational games and shows. The battery life is probably the best part, in my opinion. It's small enough for my 2-year-old to carry around himself but large enough to be able to see his games and shows." —Brittany Stewart
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in two colors and two storage sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
ChooMee is a small biz based in Northern California, owned by a mom, that specializes in innovative products that solve everyday feeding challenges.
Promising reviews: "I love these!! I’ve bought them twice because I lost my first set, but I used them so much I needed another. They fit on most pouches easily (sometimes you gotta put a little umph in it to make sure it’s secure). They wash easily with a straw cleaner, and the design works so well to keep kids from squeezing the pouch everywhere. I like the cap so I can put it back in the fridge and get it out later if it’s not finished. Great fit traveling to eliminate mess!" —Logan C.
"I am OBSESSED. I saw these on TikTok and ran to Amazon... so glad I did! My toddler loves yogurt/applesauce pouches, but started purposely dumping and squeezing the contents out. But these make it absolutely impossible for her to do that without making it difficult to eat! I tested them, and they're SO easy to drink from, but I was unable to squeeze anything out. 10/10 recommend. I’m definitely buying more." —Amanda
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in five color combos).
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BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.
The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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