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Because your big trip deserves big memories and as few as possible inconveniences.

I am a contributor who has been writing for BuzzFeed Shopping for over two years with an emphasis on home goods, parenting items and toys, beauty products, and anything that can make your day-to-day life run a little smoother.

Promising review: "It's like buying sleep! I wasn’t sure if United was going to let us use these, and if they were even going to work for the boys. Both boys (one and four years old) slept 5–6 hours! Probably the most important purchase I made for the trip. Even had other parents asking me about them!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "This is the perfect game for traveling! It's so much fun and so compact that it hardly takes up any space. This got us through a pretty hefty airport delay this spring. My daughter even uses it in the car on longer drives, although occasionally, if the road is bumpy, it doesn't end well when the pyramid topples over. We have started ordering this regularly as birthday gifts for friends. It's simple, well thought out, and caters to different skill levels (super easy to super hard). My daughter is eight, and she can do most of the pyramid puzzles on her own now, but she still enjoys playing with the puzzle, so I would definitely recommend this!" —Ali Shea

I can't say enough nice things about this backpack. It is a workhorse that will hold all your essentials (and then some!) but it doesn't look giant on your back. This is what I actually carried around Comic Con and not only was it super comfy to haul, but it is cute while still being perfectly functional. 10/10 rec for easy access to your stuff when your kid is clambering for your attention in an enclosed space. 

Promising review: "Best backpack ever! Waterproof, durable backpack perfect for air travel, road trips, hiking, or any number of other activities. When you unzip the main compartment, you can open up the backpack wide, making it easy to pack a lot of stuff. There are smaller compartments for smaller items both with zippers and not with zippers, including a large pocket for a laptop. There is an awesome large, secret compartment with a zipper on the side that is hidden and perfect for easy access to boarding passes, passports, or anything you need easy access to. The two side pockets are large and my fat (wide) Hydroflask water bottle fits nicely in a side pocket. I love the green! This backpack is worth the money. You won't regret it." —Susan

Get it from Amazon for $109 (available in seven colors). 

Promising reviews: "My 2- and 3-year-olds both loved this, and both were able to use it independently on a long car trip. It provided hours of entertainment — way more than I expected. Well worth the price!" —Oh Em Bee

"My 18 month old loves to color but eats crayons and try’s to color on the table or wall. This is wonderful and clean. It was small enough and very light to fit in our bag on the plane. She used it for 2 flights and in the car on our trip. ThAnk you for a travel friendly toy!" —Honeyofsonny

"So nice to have for on the go, car rides, or even on the airplane. We have taken this everywhere. No mess and easy for the child to stay entertained." —Emily

My child is GIGANTIC now, but I actually just got this set to accommodate smol visiting family members over the holidays and I'm already obsessed with how easy it is to remove the seat from the base and attach to the stroller!

Promising reviews: "I couldn’t recommend this travel system more!! I had a teeny tiny preemie and the inserts were perfect! Now that we’ve taken the inserts out it’s perfectly roomy while still snug with so much room to grow. The stroller part is so so convenient! It’s so easy to fold and unfold one handed and fits anywhere! Has survived 2 blowouts with no staining at all! Has made two 18-hour drives and a week-long cruise and has held up so so well! I never ever question his safety with this seat! Overall, amazing value for the quality and functionality and the performance! So very glad I chose this set over the others I considered." —Keira

"Amazing baby car seat and stroller combo! It’s comfortable, easy to install, and makes traveling with my baby so much easier. I love it!" —yasmin

Get it from Amazon for $289.99 (available in three colors). 

Promising review: "This trike stroller is so very practical and fun for my grandson and now my granddaughter! It is built very well and folds up so compactly that it can be taken easily into a restaurant or for travel. It is pricey, but it replaces three different items: a tricycle, a stroller, and a pushcart. It was such a great purchase for my grandson that I bought one for my granddaughter!!" —Ghostrider 68

Get it from Amazon for $280+ (available in three styles and two colors).

I actually *just* got these for a friend and she lovessss them. She said they saved her breastfeeding journey because she was able to pump *and* wrangle her other kiddos while doing so. 

And here's some helpful info re: flying with breastmilk from the TSA. (You can totally bring it with you on the flight, y'all.) 

Promising reviews: "I've been really happy with this pump. It's lightweight, comfortable, and easy to use, making it perfect for catching milk on the go or relieving engorgement. The suction is gentle but effective, and it's simple to clean. A great option if you want something portable and convenient." —AMR

"These pumps are exactly what I wanted and more! Not one time have I had a clog, these bad boys empty my entire supply out in less than 15 minutes! I love that it automatically goes from initiating let down to active pulling and also automatically stopping after 20 minutes! They are powerful, easy to clean, sleek and QUIET! Very much worth the price!" —ChloeaRosado

Promising review: "I cannot express how much I love the Newton Baby Travel Crib and Play Yard. As a parent who frequently travels, this product has been an absolute game-changer for us. First and foremost, safety is paramount when it comes to our little one, and the Newton Baby Travel Crib provides peace of mind. The breathable mesh sides ensure excellent airflow, reducing the risk of overheating, and the firm, comfortable mattress offers a safe sleep environment. We slept soundly knowing our baby was secure. Setting up and folding down the crib is a breeze. It takes just minutes, and the compact size when folded makes it easy to transport. We've used it in hotels, at family gatherings, and even for picnics in the park.

The included travel bag is a handy addition for on-the-go convenience. The versatility of this crib is fantastic. It's not just for sleeping; our little one loves playing in it too. The spacious interior provides enough room for toys, and the sturdy construction means it can handle the occasional toddler exuberance. Cleaning is simple — the mattress cover is machine washable, and the rest of the crib can be wiped clean with ease. It's a parent's dream!

Overall, the Newton Baby Travel Crib and Play Yard is a top-notch product. It's safe, convenient, versatile, and well worth the investment for parents who travel frequently or just want a portable crib for their child. I can't recommend it enough!" —Jonathan E. Young

SlumberPod is a small biz that's been featured on Shark Tank!

Promising review: "We took a 10-day road trip stopping in all different locations with my 18-month-old. Such an game changer! No stress at all as to where or how he would nap! He slept great everywhere and I didn’t have to do my usual blackout shade where I’m trying to make shades on the fly everywhere we went like we had to do with my other two when they were little. Do a test run setting it up before you travel. It’s not terribly hard but the first attempt needs some extra time. The tent runs warm so make sure your child is wearing light breathable clothes is the room is 68 or above. My son wore just a short sleeve onesie and a light sleep sack and was still warm with the room temp 68. I cracked the window to make it a lot cooler in the room he slept in since we didn’t do the whole fan attachment thing." —jillyb

Promising review: "My kids need the room to be pretty dark to sleep. I didn’t have much faith in this, but needed to try something. These are AMAZING!! Absolutely worth every penny. Instantly darker and help keep the room at a comfortable temperature." —Julie T

Get it from Amazon for $23.08+ (available in four designs and packs of two).

Promising reviews: "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 4-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 them from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "I can’t be happier with this toy. I bought it for my kids so they can use it during flights. Our flight was four hours long, and this thing saved me! My kids played with it the whole time! She made flowers, a sun, a self-portrait, a rainbow, glasses, a necklace, and so many more! It is light and sticks to any surface, and best of all, it doesn’t make a MESS! I’m gonna buy some more so she can play with them at home! 😍" —Chad McClintock

Promising review: "These are great! I got so tired of trying to clean off restaurant tables and high chair tops. I was bringing along a reusable silicone placemat, but it didn't always stay in place. These are easy to apply — tear off the two strips and adhere directly to the table surface. The strips are sticky — be careful, or they will stick to themselves as you place them down. It stays stuck to the table and easily comes off when you are ready to go. I also use these for airplane travel — put on the seat tray that we know isn't clean!" —S

Get a pack of 60 from Amazon for $21.49.

Promising reviews: "So interesting.... Such nice packaging for a putty. I'd compare it to a mix of a cloud slime and putty. You can pull it and it looks fluffy and it still makes all the fun pops like a putty. Not wet like slime and not too hard either like some putty. Perfect for a easy play without the toughness you can get with some putty's. 10/10 love it" —Doug & Jesse

"This is the best putty in the world! The texture is a little tough to describe…it’s like play doh, mad-matter, silly putty, and slime made a baby. This is that baby. Just the right texture! It’s not messy and goopy, it stretches well and feels great in your hand. The color is fun and actually shifts a little bit from when it’s stretched vs compressed. My neurodivergent child chooses this as her fidget every week when she goes to counseling. It helps her regulate and process. I LOVE Speks products in general (their gump line is *chefs kiss* for my nervous system) but thiiiiissss putty is in a league of its own." —MamaBear

Get it from Amazon for $13.95 (available in six colors).

It's worth noting that some reviewers take issue with the photo quality (which I actually find to have a charming early 2000s digital camera vibe), but I'll take durability over photo quality any day where kids are concerned!

Promising review: "My 5-year-old received this camera as a Christmas gift. Imagine my surprise when he told us he didn't want to play with his other Christmas gifts. Instead, he asked to learn how to use it and then walked around our house, taking pictures and videos of everything and everyone. This camera is easy for him to hold and control, and he has used it every day since. My only criticism is that the quality of the images on the screen is blurry (although my son hasn't said a word about it). For a first camera, it's perfect." —Kate H

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $70 (available in two styles).

Promising reviews: "Excellent product for the plane at least in our case. Easy to clean, perfect to organize different toys, fits a lot of items, pretty heavy when you put toys in it but worth it. I used it for lunch and set up holder for drink. Kids loved it!" —Michael Miranda

"I bought this for my little grandson to use while in flight to a family vacation. It fit the seat perfectly and worked well to keep his things organized and so they wouldn’t constantly fall on the floor. Since returning, my daughter sets it up for him in the car on occasion. I would totally recommend!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $25.55+ (available in 11 colors/patterns). 

Promising review: "I bought one for everyone that is going on our vacation. Everyone can pack a snack to take on plane. Small enough to even put in kids backpack, since they picked snacks, they sit, watch tv and enjoy the trip." —Jo

"These are perfect portion sizes for a 3-5 year old. Great for traveling in the car or plane." —Emily Morrison

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors).

Psst — this comes with dishwasher-safe stickers so your kiddo can decorate their snack spinner and get hyped for their trip! 

Promising review: "This thing is SUPER handy for plane and car travel with kids. We took one of these on a four-hour flight to California, and it kept my 1- and 4-year-olds enthralled for several minutes. My only regret is that I didn't have a second one so that each kid could have their own. They couldn't stop fighting over one. Highly recommend. I will be taking one or two on all future trips with the kids." —rwspoon

Get it from Amazon for $29.98+ (available in three sizes and five colors).

Promising review: "This product is a baby/toddler must-have and one of my absolute favorites! Save money by using the reusable pouch instead of buying from the store. I’ve put baby purée to yogurt to applesauce to smoothies to baby cereal in these! Very easy to clean! Baby is not able to squeeze them everywhere like the store-bought pouches. My son loooovvvesss pouches, and this is so easy to pre-fill, store in the fridge, and take on the go! Thank you for this product!!!!!!" —Amazon Customer

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors and packs of four).

Throw some pacifier wipes in your bag, too, for a quick swipe before popping them in your new sanitizer!

Promising review: "If you travel, attend sporting events, or go to any type of event with a baby, this is definitely for you and your little one! If the pacifier falls on the ground, place it in this mobile cleaner, give it about 25 seconds, and then give the pacifier back to the baby!" —Uncle Fester

Be sure to check out all the fun prints available for the pillowcase, which, by the way, is one of those nice ones with a little pocket to keep the pillow from sliding out, no matter how high-energy the kid's antics may be!

Promising review: "This pillow is the best! Our daughter instantly melted when she got her own size pillow. It’s soft, comfortable, and easy to throw into bags for travel. We bring it on all of our trips!" —Jody

Get it from Amazon for $23.96 (available in a variety of styles and colors).

Because the tin isn't joking when it says for ages 3–99, let me tell ya.

Promising review: "Quality is exactly what I expected for Magna-Tiles! I wanted to get an engaging toy for restaurants and travel, and since we have a massive Magna-Tile collection at home, I knew this would keep my toddlers entertained. I grabbed one for each toddler and love them!" —Taylor Hayes

Get it from Amazon for $19.50+ (available in six styles).

Promising reviews: "I love this hand sanitizer. The bottle is cute, and it's the perfect size for my purse and diaper bag. The smell is soft, but really nice. It does not dry out my hands. I like that it comes out of the bottle in a perfect, wide mist. I have used other products that come out more as sprays, and this one is great. I tried it on my toddlers, and it was really easy to get them to wear it." —sozievah2463

"This is a modern twist on the typical hand sanitizer, and the kids love it. I like it a lot myself, too. It fits easily in my bag, and now I can easily clean my hands anywhere. The size is suitable for air travel, which is a plus. The spray is easy to use and sits well between the case, so you don't accidentally spray it by accident when things hit the spray in a bag, desk, or other containers." —Walmart customer

Get it from Walmart for $3 (also available in other scents here).

Promising reviews: "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 paper cards like 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

"I cannot express enough how awesome Yoto Mini is. I bought it for my 4-year-old son. I was skeptical because he loves TV. It is incredible! He can listen to his favorite stuff like Paw Patrol, but can also listen to music, audiobooks, fall asleep to calming music, etc. I just discovered it has a daily free podcast, which is now part of our breakfast routine. And I love that it doesn't have a screen. I have found him asking for it when I least expect it (instead of the iPad or my phone!), and it's been particularly amazing in the car and when we go out to a restaurant." —Meghan

Promising reviews: "I have an advanced 8 month old and he absolutely loves this. We bought it for a plane ride to occupy him and it has now turned into his favorite toy- even at home! 10/10 would recommend." —Alexis Culp

"I was hesitant to buy this because I have purchased similar busy books on amazon for a fraction of the price, but my child never played with them for long. But I needed some new toys for a long plane ride, so I went ahead and bought this and I am glad I did. There is actually so much in this book for the child to play with. It keeps her entertained for a while and she reaches for it over and over again. We now use it for playing in the car or at restaurants since it is a quiet activity. There are also lost of skills that can be practiced using this book like colors, seasons, shapes, animals, and counting." —Arielle Green

Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in three styles).

Promising reviews: "I bought 2 straps to use for my trip. It was so worth it! It held my family's light jackets and kids travel neck pillow. We also used it to hold our water bottles on our hikes. I wish I knew about these sooner!" —Lisa H

Perfect for attaching our backpacks and totes to the roller bags as we maneuvered through the airport. Easy to attach to bags and suitcases. Used when traveling abroad and would definitely recommend!" —GinaB

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in five colors and packs of two).

Promising reviews: "You NEED this. You can fit two drinks, cards/receipts, and then food in the middle, or anything else. It’s SUPER functional. Easy to clean if there is a mess, but there won’t be. So easy to use and put together. Drinks fit snug in the holders. It’s so perfect. GREAT bang for your buck. If you travel a lot, this is your airport friend. Trust me." —Geonitacka

"Super easy to take out of your bag or purse and slide on. Holds my phone and sanitizer…my drink and my kids drink. No more annoyance of everything having to be in my purse, adding weight and tearing my shoulder off in the airport." —Anne

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in various styles and colors).

Promising review: "We bought this for a road trip with our little one, who is still rear facing — it was perfect! We knew the seat was warm from just driving around town and wanted to make sure it was comfortable for a long drive. It kept it cool, isn’t loud, and love that we could plug it in vs. only the battery. We use it regularly in town now, too." —K Maddock

Get it from Amazon for $20.69+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I purchased this for my trip to Europe as I sleep with white noise every night. The rohm scores extra points for volume control, and it can get quite loud. It’s also lightweight and chargers easily with a USB." —Jessie W.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three styles).

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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.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.