Whether I’m traveling with or without kids, here’s a list of my must have essentials when I travel. (Many of these items also make a great gift!)
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(1) Weekender bag: Whether for a weekend getaway or carry on item, I love having a great weekender bag for easy access to everything I need. I like bags that have a lot of pockets and special compartments to keep things organized. If you’re more of a backpack gal (especially for traveling with kids so you can be hands free), I love this ultralight tote backpack or this travel backpack.
(2) Fanny pack / sling: For small personal items, I love the sling from Walker Goods because of the functionality, the size and the fun colors. It’s the perfect size (not too big but not too small) that can fit most of your important items. It has zippered pockets galore and it feels like everything, whether it’s your passports, your phone, or a diaper, has it’s own place. Plus I like supporting a small, family owned business.
(3) Noise cancelling headphones: Noise cancelling headphones are a must for me so I can have some peace and quiet when I’m on the road and listen to music. I’ll also bring small pair of wired headphones with the 3.5 mm plug when I fly to watch movies on the plane.
(4) Kindle: When I travel, I love being able to cozy up with a book and time just flies. Instead of bringing multiple physical books (which I so appreciate but can get pretty heavy when traveling), I put all my favorite reads on my Kindle and can easily switch between books depending on my mood.
(5) Water bottle: You always want to make sure you stay hydrated when you are traveling so I always bring an insulated reusable water bottle with me. I like having cold cold water but if you’re looking for something more compact, these flexible / collapsable water bottles can do the trick.
(6) Disinfectant wipes: To keep germs at bay, I always carry these disinfectant hand wipes but hand sanitizer is another great options. These items are compact so I can easily throw it into my weekender or backpack.
(7) Travel toiletry pouches: I started using these travel pouches for my recent travels and they are awesome! They save so much more space then the traditional travel-sized bottles and containers.
(8) Portable charger and/or power bank: To make sure I always have enough charge for my phone and electronics, I like having a power bank and portable charger for the phone. These are small and light weight but so necessary if you plan on using your electronics for an extensive period of time.
(9) Reusable shopping bag: I like having a reusable shopping bag (that you can just roll or fold up) just in case I pick up some things at the airport or on the road. You just never know when you need an extra bag, and then when you do need it, you’re so glad you brought it.
(10) Sunscreen: When I’m flying or traveling in the car, I like to have sunscreen on me. As I get older, I realize how important it is to keep your skin protected by hydrating and putting on sunscreen. If you sit near the window on the airplane or you’re in the passenger seat of a car, you’ll probably need sunscreen so it’s nice to have it.
(11) Eye mask: If you need an eye mask to sleep, this one is the best! It doesn’t leave an imprint on your face and is super comfortable.
(12) Lip balm: Chapped lips are no fun and having some lip balm to hydrate dry lips is always a good idea. You would be surprised at how often I need to use it when I travel.
(13) Good walking shoes: Having comfortable walking shoes can make or break a trip. Depending on the destination, I like my trusty Birkenstock sandals or these soft sneakers which go with almost any outfit.
