Family travel esssentials: what you ACTUALLY need when you travel with kids

As a mama of 4 on the road with kids for over 10 years now, I have over-packed tens of times, brought items on trips that where useless and realized other where trip savers!

Essentials for all ages

Travel documents printed and scanned in your phone
A first aid kit (bandage, antiseptic, pain reliever, upset stomach medecine, a candy (to distract from the pain…))
Wet wipes / Hand sanitizer
Ziploc bags (for snacks, wet clothes, etc.)
Tissues
A change of clothes for kid under 5
Healthy, non-melting snacks (granola bars, pretzels, dried fruit)
Light travel activities : stickers sheets, uno cards, magnetic / suction toys, paper and crayons. Shop my favorite travel activities.
Downloaded kids podcasts / stories
Downloaded cartoon / movie on your phone
A story box such as Luni.

Airplane, car, train essentials

Kids headphones
Sugar free candies or gum
A foot hammock for toddlers
Suction and magnetic toys
Drawing tablets
Busy boards Montessori inspired
Downloaded kids podcasts / stories
Downloaded cartoon / movie on your phone.

Baby & Toddler essentials

Diapers (pull up for toddlers even when potty trained, they don t have the ability yet to “wait”) + diaper rash cream
Bottle and bottle cleaner
Pacifiers (if applicable)
Light weight stroller (with a step if you 2 young kids)
Sippy cup / water bottle (to avoid spillage from glasses in the plane for exemple)
Thermos for warm water on the go
Tear free soap
A large cloth (breastfeeding, blanket…)
Light carrier / wrap / sling