Top Family Travel Gear, as Recommended by Seasoned Parents

Veteran travelers understand that when it comes to luggage, less can often be more—and this is especially true when traveling with kids. Packing every item from booster seats to strollers and bedtime necessities is a guaranteed way to make any parent wish they’d stayed home.

Fortunately, manufacturers are increasingly creating baby and child essentials that cater to more adventurous lifestyles. Popular items like strollers, booster seats, and even toys are becoming lighter, more portable, and better tailored to the needs of both children and parents.

The parents on the Dinogo team—along with our contributors—explored the latest family travel gear to discover the best options for infants, toddlers, and school-age kids—and for ourselves, too. We put these products to the test on road trips, overnight flights, and camping adventures both in the U.S. and abroad. Here are 13 Dinogo-approved favorites worth including in your family travel gear collection.

JetKids by Stokke ride-on suitcase

During a recent trip to Poland and Romania, my two children, aged four and seven, put the JetKids by Stokke ride-on suitcases to the test. I expected to love these for their ability to transform an economy airplane seat into a flat sleeping area (the top lifts up, allowing you to unfold a mat that comes with it). While this feature did get the kids excited about snuggling in for sleep, the covers often slipped off the seat as they moved around during the flight. (If anyone has tips on keeping the covers in place, please let me know!)

Check out our review of the JetKids by Stokke Suitcase

The standout feature of this kids' suitcase was the ride-on capability, which let them zip through the airport while also providing a fun way to play before and after flights. Both kids enjoyed riding so much that we ended up checking our stroller at our destination. I was concerned that my tall seven-year-old son might be too big for it, but both kids managed to ride comfortably, so we didn't have to carry them or their bags. When they got tired, we simply pulled them along with the included strap. Did they nearly collide with several travelers in the airport? Yes, yes they did. But only one stranger’s ankle was gently nudged during the entire trip, and we received plenty of smiles from amused passengers and crew along the way.

The interior space can feel a bit cramped when the sleeping pad is tucked inside (and considering the earlier points, you might even skip the pad). However, even with it, there’s still enough room for an iPad and headphones, some paper, coloring books, pens, a small stuffed animal, and a blanket. You can also choose to add an attachable backpack for extra space, which we used for sweatshirts and small toys. Surprisingly, these fit under the seat on most planes. —Michelle Baran, senior travel news editor

Babyzen Yoyo2 stroller

The Babyzen Yoyo2 stroller is renowned as one of the top travel strollers available today, and after using it for a couple of weeks in airports, on cobblestone streets, and in walk-up apartments across Europe, I completely understand why. It’s the most portable and user-friendly stroller we’ve ever encountered. It unfolds effortlessly with a simple wrist snap, and while collapsing it back requires a bit more effort (you need to press buttons with both hands and pull a lever under the seat), once it’s folded—wow. It’s incredibly compact and comes with a convenient shoulder strap, making it easy to carry like a tote bag. Weighing just 13 pounds, it feels light compared to lugging around suitcases or the kids themselves.

The biggest letdown was the Yoyo board attachment that we hoped our seven-year-old son could use for a break from all the walking in Europe. Unfortunately, it sticks out so far that it forces whoever is pushing the stroller to walk at an awkward angle. We managed to make it work since our son was eager for a rest at times, but there were moments we had to bribe his younger sister to let him ride in the stroller while one of us carried her (thank you, Haribo gummies and ice cream).

Aside from the board issue, the stroller itself is a tremendous asset for traveling families. While it comes with a steep price tag and the attachments only add to the cost, this is definitely a stroller worth investing in early on during your family travel adventures. —M.B.

No Reception Club “The Getaway Bag”

I've always disliked the idea of a traditional diaper bag because I don’t want my gear to shout, “Look at me, I have kids!” Plus, many of them are shoulder-strap bags. Ugh. At home, we use a stylish unisex Herschel backpack to stash diapers, extra clothes, wipes, sunscreen, and water bottles. However, when traveling and needing to pack more than our usual essentials, I end up emptying the entire bag’s contents onto the airplane seat, park bench, or wherever to find a specific item.

Enter the Getaway Bag by No Reception Club: We tested this sleek black travel backpack on a recent trip to Mexico with our two little ones. But it’s not just about aesthetics. The real brilliance of this bag lies in its individual compartments that let you locate items without disturbing the rest. Need wipes? They’re in their own side pouch. Snacks? All neatly stored in the top pocket, causing no hassle. Had an accident? No worries. Changes of clothes are in their own bottom compartment. It even features a pouch for a laptop and a separate fold-up changing pad. Measuring 19.7 x 10.2 x 6.5 inches with a 24-liter capacity, it might be a bit large for daily use at home, but it’s perfect for flying with kids and complies with international carry-on size limits. —M.B.

No Reception Club “The Sidekick” fanny pack

Grace Swansinger, owner of Scout’s General in Crested Butte, Colorado, and mother of two toddlers, highlights the necessity of a diaper bag for those times when you need to carry everything. However, there are moments when a lighter approach is preferred, allowing for just the essentials like a diaper, wipes, and snacks, making a fanny pack a great choice.

The No Reception Club’s three-liter Sidekick fanny pack pairs perfectly with the larger Getaway Bag. Compact yet stylish, this eco-friendly fanny pack made from recycled polyester is expertly crafted to hold all the essentials for your baby. It comes with a changing pad and can fit up to six diapers, along with ointment and hand sanitizer. Wipes can conveniently be stored in the back pocket, complete with a magnetic flap for easy access. If it gets dirty, simply toss it in the washing machine!

The Herschel Twelve hip pack, a stylish and functional choice for on-the-go needs.

Designed for kids ready to carry their own gear, Herschel’s Twelve hip pack is a compact 6.75-inch by 4-inch pouch, perfect for little adventurers. Its straightforward one-pocket style is ideal for storing pinecones, rhinestones, and any little treasures they find along the way. Available in several kid-friendly designs, including a charming floral pattern and vibrant pink tie-dye. —C.H.

Introducing the Deuter Kikki backpack,

The Deuter Kikki Backpack captivates younger kids with its fun animal-themed designs. Currently, it features bags shaped like a tiger, dinosaur, or bunny. It’s perfect for travel, as our three-year-old tester loved every chance to wear it. Anything that helps avoid toddler meltdowns is a win for me!

Children aged four and five also loved sporting the Kikki, which is impressively functional for a kids’ backpack. Like many adult bags, the Kikki features a padded, mesh-covered back panel that keeps the wearer cool and comfortable. It has two elastic-topped outer pockets, perfect for a water bottle and a cherished stuffed toy. The sternum strap ensures the pack stays in place, even when little ones dash off. Plus, the eight-liter interior provides ample room for an iPad, headphones, coloring books, and snacks.

Kids over six might find the pack a bit juvenile (and its size may not suit a school-age travel kit). However, its durable materials and quality craftsmanship make the Kikki a great candidate for hand-me-downs. —Kelly Bastone, Dinogo contributor

JLab JBuddies Pro wired over-ear headphones for kids.

While wireless headphones are fantastic for adults, we faced numerous challenges ensuring the Bluetooth headphones we bought for our kids stayed charged and connected during our travels. Finally, we discovered these reliable wired JLab headphones, which don’t require charging and fit comfortably over our kids’ ears. They can enjoy watching shows for hours (we only permit such marathons on long car rides or flights) without any complaints about comfort or sound quality. We pair them with these versatile kids’ iPad cases that we use for our two family iPads during trips (we tell our kids the iPads belong to them only while we’re on the road). —M.B.

KidCo PeaPod travel tent

Many play yards can be frustratingly bulky when packed, taking up valuable trunk space and proving impractical for air travel. KidCo addresses this issue by transforming a pop-up tent into an ideal sleeping and play space for babies.

When packed, the PeaPod is about the size of a grocery bag, and its flat, four-inch profile slips easily into a rolling duffel or suitcase. Setting it up is a breeze: Simply take it out of the carrying bag, and it springs to life as a mesh-topped tent with a zippered door and a soft, quilted floor. This quick bedtime setup is a lifesaver for late-night arrivals when everyone is tired and cranky.

I also appreciated the PeaPod’s ability to keep insects at bay while providing a play area. Setting it up during picnics means you won’t have to apply mosquito repellent on a baby’s delicate skin. During testing, infants happily explored the space and enjoyed long play sessions inside. While the fabric offers only partial shade, draping a baby blanket over the top helps darken the interior for naps. Plus, the PeaPod packs away in seconds, making it perfect for both quick breaks and overnight use. —K.B.

Magformers educational magnetic tiles.

You might know Magna-Tiles, the clever magnetic tiles that allow kids to create a variety of shapes and structures. While the sturdier Magna-Tiles are perfect for home or school, the lighter Magformers tiles are ideal for travel, easily fitting into a tote bag (we just stack as many as we can). We toss these into the car or the bottom of the kids’ backpacks for flights, providing a fun activity at our destination that isn’t too heavy or cumbersome. (Along with books, we also love classic clipboards that serve as little notebooks filled with blank paper and a pencil case packed with drawing and coloring supplies.) —M.B.

Bombol Pop-Up booster seat.

Mealtime with a baby or toddler can be chaotic, no matter where you are. When traveling without a suitable high chair, enjoying a peaceful meal together often feels like a distant dream. The Bombol Pop-Up Booster makes this dream more attainable—and it collapses to the size of a vinyl record.

Weighing just two pounds, the seat fits effortlessly into a diaper bag or daypack, so traveling parents won’t hesitate to bring it along on city adventures. The Bombol expands, origami-style, into a robust booster seat featuring a five-point harness and a chair latch that secures it to nearly all adult chairs. The car seat-style restraint keeps squirmy toddlers from escaping during meals. Plus, it allows little ones to sit in their own seats rather than on their parents' laps, enabling adults to actually savor their meals and drinks.

While there’s no tray, tabletops provide easy access to food and toys. The padded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-coated polyester wipes clean with ease, and the accompanying bag doubles as a chair cover to protect your host’s furniture—especially useful when visiting families unaccustomed to messy children. —K.B.

WAYB Pico portable car seat.

For parents with younger kids who can’t rely solely on a booster seat, there’s a more convenient way to travel than lugging a bulky car seat through the airport. The WAYB Pico portable car seat weighs just eight pounds and folds into a compact unit measuring 11.6 x 14.5 x 18.9 inches. It’s roughly the size of a medium camping backpack, making it easy to carry, especially when stowed in a backpack carrier available for an extra $60.

Installing it is straightforward once you get the hang of it, featuring click-in/click-out anchors on each side and a hook that attaches to the anchor on the back of the seat. While the WAYB excels in portability and compact design, it sacrifices a bit of comfort. The seat base is minimal and nearly flat—a unique blend of mesh fabric and aluminum frame provides a soft, springy feel without added bulk—meaning kids sit quite low. Our daughter found her new low position amusing, but I can see how some kids might feel frustrated losing their view out the window. —M.B.

Cosco Scenera Next convertible car seat.

Though slightly bulkier, the Cosco Scenera Next convertible car seat is significantly more affordable than the WAYB Pico Portable. At 10.4 pounds, I could easily lift it with one hand, making it manageable for my two daughters when they were aged one to three. It’s also beneficial to have a gate check bag for a car seat, like this budget-friendly option. —Anni Cuccinello, audience development director

Diono Solana 2 backless booster car seat.

For older kids who are ready to travel in cars using just a booster seat, there are a variety of choices. Baran mentions that she typically removes the backless booster from her older son’s Graco TurboBooster highback booster car seat. While these can be a bit cumbersome to carry, it’s hard to complain when comparing them to a full car seat. For an ultra-lightweight and slim option, consider the Diono Solana backless booster car seat. Weighing in at just over six pounds, it's light enough for most kids to carry on their own, although attaching it to their backpack might be a smarter choice. —A.C.