Since we travel so much, it has become tedious to remove everything from our house and car every time we want to go on a trip (and to put it all back!). To make things easier, there are a few items we bought in duplicate to make our lives a little easier when traveling. Like a "Go Bag", but for kids stuff.
Car Seats
Because our current convertible carseats, Chicco KeyFits, weigh over 25 pounds, these are a pain to travel with. We did buy the Munchkin cart when we first taking our seats, and these doubled up well as a stroller in the airport. However, it was still hard to take the seats out at the airport, carry them, strap them up, then gate check, and reinstall, then repeat the process two more times with the rental car and returning home, etc.
So, we decided we'd get some backup carseats that were much lighter, and were dedicated to travel (already packed and ready to check!). *These also came in handy when we had visitors who needed to borrow a car seat!* Here are some that we have tried:
For infant - 2yo:
Spare infant car seat base. This was great to have, since baby was still in the carrier and a base was easy to check and install at destination. You really don't need one with a carrier, since you can run a belt through the basket, but when you are getting in and out a lot, a base makes everyone's life easier.
Cosco Scenera Next. This very affordable and lightweight convertible carseat was fantastic for rear facing babies and young toddlers. At only 9lbs, and $50, this weighed 60% less than my KeyFit, and was easy to pack, check, and install. It can be used forward facing but its pretty limited once the kids get bigger than 3 years old.
For Toddler-5yo+
Diono Radian. We got this as a hand-me-down from my brother's family, and it's a great addition. Though it weighs more (28lbs), it folds flat, and is incredibly sturdy, making it super easy to transport/check, even without a bag. We could also stuff it into the bottom of a rolling duffel and still have room for other stuff like our portable crib/tent, diapers, shoes, etc. It's also very narrow, which makes it great when you don't want to rent a super huge SUV or minivan.
RideSafer Harness. We bought one of these when we travelled abroad with our young 4 year old. She was too small for only a booster, and knew we would be taking a lot of taxis and shuttles, to avoid the car seat installation game. In concept, it's great. Execution, very time consuming and uncomfortable. No matter how much I adjusted, she always fit awkwardly even though she was within the required size, and it wasn't super easy to put on or take off. It was a big space saver, but for the cost and the time, I probably would not buy this again.
HiFold Fit and Fold Booster. We are seriously contemplating buying this ultra compact high back booster for our 5 year old. She's still a little small for a regular booster, and we feel more confident with the shoulder guides in place if she's not going to wear a harness.
Hiccapop UberBoost or BubbleBum inflatable carseats. These were great for 5-6+ years old (if they meet the height/weight requirements). Super lightweight, super compact, and meeting all the safety standards, this is a fantastic alternative for a standard booster seat for short trips.
Strollers
We have 5 strollers at home (smh), plus another at my in-laws, and the Lug-a-bug. It's a bit extreme. Here's what we use when we travel.
City Mini GT Double. This is our monster truck stroller, and we love it. We often use it at home for all-day mall outings or an event at the zoo. And we take it when we travel, but ONLY when we go to theme parks. The reason is because it's enormous and weighs 33lbs. It's great for all-day things where lots of walking is involved because it's easy to push and steer, has full recline seats for naps, great shade coverage for kiddos in the sun, an amazing fitted rain cover, and I can attach 1000 things to it (see my Packing for a Theme Park blog for details). To check this stroller as baggage, it has a special packing bag which fits it beautifully with lots of spare room to fit in extra odds and ends. Because it's heavy, you'll often have to check it at the oversized items area at the airport, and it's a pain to carry so you'll either need to get a 1980's style travel cart, hitch it to a bigger suitcase, or rent an airport cart.
Note: Before we had the Mini GT Double, we used (and still use) the Mini GT single. This is a great all-day, fully reclining, fully equipped stroller like the above. Now that our oldest daughters don't nap, we sometimes take this one out, and use the Glider Board so they can catch a free ride when tired of walking and little 'sis is sleeping.
GB Qbit (I think my model was the LTE, but there's also the Pockit+All-City): We have two of these ultra portable strollers and started using them around 6-8 months (not for infants). They are very versatile, have decent shade and recline. They are lightweight (15lb), fold down easily, and are a breeze to gate check (they come with their own bag). It also folds with one hand, and the basket is a good size. We bought a universal rain cover for each, plus a simple stroller organizer to get some extra storage space without the bulk. We use these for short trips where a stroller might be handy from time to time, but we don't need to nap, walk for hours distances, or carry a ton of gear. Like a short trip to the mall, dashing through the airport (with 9mo-4yo), family visits, etc. They're good for up to 55lbs.
Note: GB has an even smaller version called the Pockit. These strollers are so small, you can put them in an overhead compartment. The Pockit's shade isn't great, but they're really cool, light (10lbs), and very sturdy (much more than an umbrella stroller). They're pretty tall too, so good up to 55lbs.
For small infants still in a carrier, nothing beats the Snap-n-Go or caddy style stroller. These things are super sturdy, light, have generous under baskets, and fold with one hand. If you are still traveling with an infant in a carrier, I recommend using one of these when you travel for an all-in-one travel solution, instead of a separate car seat and stroller combo.
Lug-A-Bug: My FAVORITE airport hack. This is a great way to move 2+ year old toddlers who either run off, walk slowly, or get tired, but you don't want to take a stroller through security or gate-check it. It's small, light, takes up no space at all, and you get a million compliments (if that matters). Kids also think it's hilarious. There are other companies making similar items, but this is probably the best. There are also those ride-on suitcases that you drag behind you.... Don't do it.
Finally, you can always use your car seat as a stroller, either with a cart like mentioned before, or with a belt system like this, and gate-check the seat. Be sure to get a good carrier bag so your seat doesn't get damaged.
Sleeping Stuff
As I mentioned before, most hotels have cribs or playpens for sleeping. We bought an oversized (twin) Pack n' Play for my in-laws which the girls used until they were about 2-3yo each. For a while both were using the Kidco pods, and now our oldest is big enough for a hotel guest bed or standard inflatable mattress (growing up too fast!!).
Here are some great portable sleeping ideas that we've seen or tried out over the years.
Infant/Bassinet-style:
Baby Delight, Koalty, Munchkin, Scuddles. These are all good, but you'll outgrow them pretty quickly. They are good travel sized, and some double-up as a changing area.
Baby/Toddler:
Flisko, and Graco PNP On the Go. These also double up as playpens, which is good when you want to contain your kids safely.
KidCo pea pod. This comes in small and large (which is what we have). The kids love these (they call them tents or caves), they are easy to fold, ultra light, easy to clean, and are even good to take to the park or beach for shady naps (UV protective) or a private changing area.
The Shrunks seems to be the most popular of these inflatable toddler beds, though many companies make similar styles. Try to get one with an integrated pump. We have one of these at my in-laws and at my parents house for my 5yo.
When we travel, our girls listen to music to sleep. We bring an old iPod touch with an integrated speaker (eBay!), which is easy to set up versus Bluetooth speakers, aux cables, etc.
As for economical travel monitors, there are so many to choose from. I like the ones that don't rely on your phone but have a separate receiver. You can find audio and video ones for under $40 that fit the bill for travel needs. I keep this already packed up in a separate bag with all my travel gear, so I know it's always there.
Kids' Toiletries
This is an easy one. We keep a separate toiletry bag with toothbrushes, toothpaste, flossers (as applicable), hair brush, basic hair ties, baby wash, lotion, sunscreen, mini first aid kit, nail clippers/file, thermometer, age-appropriate Tylenol, and 1-2 packets of sink washing detergent. It's ready to go anytime we travel, or they stay over at their grandparents' house! We restock it when we get home so it's ready for the next time.
Diapers and Wipes: This is up to you. When visiting my in-laws, I tend to order diapers and wipes directly to their house. When going elsewhere, it's down to how much room I have left (carseat bags and stroller bags always have room!), and what stores/amenities are nearby. I bought this extra large portable changing station for my in-laws house so I have a spare set of diaper baggies, cream, etc. in one centralized area at my destination. (It also keeps me from poaching from my diaper bag when we're visiting!)
Most hotels will have towels, but if your kid has sensitive skin or allergies, bringing your own towel may not be a bad idea.
Potable potty. My ABSOLUTE favorite travel potty is the Pack n' Potty by Tottigo. This is a lifesaver, and we take it everywhere that has public bathrooms (not just when traveling), even for my older daughter. So much easier than hovering over a toilet seat, or wiping them down, or covering them up. Kids don't have to touch anything and sit comfortably. You don't have to touch anything or freak out about your kids. There's a great little compartment for wipes or sanitizer. It's discreet. Everything is washable later. What's not to love?!
Travel Kitchen Gear
This one is pretty straightforward and all depends on the age of your child. If still bottle feeding, you should probably bring two bottles so you have a spare. Bring a sippy cup if they need that. You never know if you'll find one locally, and you'll probably need it with you when you travel anyway. Same for special spoons/forks if you need for feeding.
I used this portable drying rack set when I would travel with my pump kit and baby bottles. I would put my baby friendly soap in travel size bottles, but this was also a good travel ready solution from Babyganics. This soap was great - a little went a long way and you don't need brushes.
Hook on high chair. I highly recommend this for any outing, not just traveling. Restaurants, picnic tables, hotels, family or friends' homes - you don't know what they have, or if it's clean or safe. These seats are good for 6mo+ to the weight limit, are comfortable, washable, portable and many come with a tray (no more wiping down tables!). We use our Inglesina chair and tray faithfully.
Random Other Stuff
Some of this will be covered in my Traveling for Theme Parks blog, but these are a few things we have for which we keep around or spares mainly when we travel:
Rechargeable battery kit and mini screwdriver
Sunscreens
Stroller fans - so many options but these are cheap and infant safe.
Baby sunglasses
Low mounted stroller cooler - I have this one, but this one is also good
Side mounted stroller net
Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes
Extra pacifiers (you don't want to lose your home ones or risk the apocalypse!)
Rain parkas - the $1 store kind. Never hurts to have one on hand!
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