In general, our family far prefers focusing on experiences over things but there are a number of items we’ve loved over the years that are helpful both at home and while out exploring that would make fantastic travel gifts for … Read More
This post was updated in November 2024. When we found out we were moving to London, I immediately got so excited about Christmas season here. What a treat with lights and decorations. It turns out London with kids is even … Read More
It’s here – the 2024 $5 Travel Gift Guide! This is my favorite gift guide I do every year because it’s – I hope – super USEFUL for a variety of people and circumstances. While obviously it’s geared to travel, … Read More
A few years ago, when our eldest kiddo was almost 9, Dan and I decided we wanted some more one-on-one time with them, and also that we wanted to prioritize experiences together. We felt like our family had plenty of … Read More
After moving to London, I was fortunate enough to join a wonderful book club. I found out that they have an annual book club weekend trip themed around a specific author. Last year, they visited the Peak District in honor … Read More
I absolutely loved my short 3-day trip to Athens with K, my older daughter! When our kids turn 12, they get to take a weekend/long weekend domestic trip with one parent. Since we live in London now, the 3.5 hour … Read More
While I always say the best countries for you to visit depends on YOUR interests, I also know that it can feel overwhelming to decide where to go when you’re venturing to a new country, especially if it happens to … Read More
Like many of you, we try to focus on experiences over things, but there are certain items that have helped make those experiences easier and more fun over the years. These are things that are useful, durable, and stand the … Read More
I get asked so often where the best places are for a first international family trip and, for the most part, I’ll reiterate what I always say – it depends on YOUR interests! If you want tons of art museums … Read More
Over a decade ago, we had a trip planned to Egypt that we unfortunately needed to cancel due to political issues that began. We were so disappointed, as Egypt had already been on our bucket list for years. So it … Read More
I absolutely loved my short 3-day trip to Athens with K, my older daughter! When our kids turn 12, they get to take a weekend/long weekend domestic trip with one parent. Since we live in London now, the 3.5 hour … Read More
Visiting Virgin Islands National Park with kids is definitely a once in a lifetime experience! This was a special trip for our us, and Virgin Islands with kids was a hit with the whole family. We’ve loved finding the best … Read More
In general, our family far prefers focusing on experiences over things but there are a number of items we’ve loved over the years that are helpful both at home and while out exploring that would make fantastic travel gifts for all ages.
Lots of these travel gift ideas are on sale, so I hope that sharing helps save you some money and support some wonderful family adventures! They’re tried and true items we’ve loved in our travels, so you can be sure they’ll be used for years to come.
Want the digital catalogue for the 2024 Travel Lovers Gift Guide, with my favorite items and links to other guides? Pop in your email below and I’ll send the clickable PDF right to your inbox!
I have 75+ ideas over in the 2024 $5 Travel Gift Guide that would make perfect stocking stuffers for any travel lover in your life. There are suggestions for all ages and types of travel! There are also a bunch of ideas in this $5 travel-themed Easter basket list, as well as the 2023 $5 Travel Gift Guide.
There are tons of ideas over there and I can’t pick a favorite, so be sure to head over for $5 travel gifts people will actually use!
This strap is so simple but amazing for attaching your car seat to a suitcase so you’re not carrying it in your arms all through the airport. It even allows your child to sit in it while you pull it, turning your suitcase into a stroller!
We got a couple dry bags when in the Philippines and they are SO useful. Perfect if you’ll be near water to keep important things like phones and passports safe and dry.
If you know a road trip lover, this digital tire pressure gauge is so useful to have on hand. We’ve had ours for years and it works great.
Love that you can charge these up – they’re perfect for any winter travel.
Just might be my favorite travel accessory of all time. Attach water bottles and jackets, hook stuff on a suitcase or stroller, or a whole bunch of other uses. (An S-biner is also great.)
This is a great one for situations from whether you’re concerned about safety when traveling solo, to worrying about a kid opening a hotel room door and escaping while you’re asleep. (It’s happened to us!)
Speaking of travel utensils, this 3-in-1 spoon / fork / knife is convenient and easy to clean. And nicer to the earth!
These toothbrush covers will ALWAYS get used and it’s always nice to have fresh ones. A perfect little gift that’s a travel essential.
I always like to have one of these quick dry towels on hand when traveling, even if we’re not planning on being around water. Helpful for rain, cleaning up babies, or showering in a pinch. The smaller ones especially take up very little room.
Slim and packable, these stay put and are perfect for reading on the go. Lots of color options, too!
Perfect for the frequent traveler to decant their favorite skin and hair products to take with them. I love these pastel colors!
We love this repellent, especially in areas with disease-carrying mosquitoes. This travel-sized one is great to tuck in a bag.
This tiny little kit is perfect to have a few basics on hand. Plus, it’s cute!
This is my very favorite quick dry towel for travel, camping, and the beach. It dries in a flash and I love the ribbed texture.
These are great if you’re traveling somewhere that won’t have reliable soap at sinks but you need more cleaning than just sanitizer. Tiny and easy to pack (and this little pack is so cute, too). Perfect for outdoors or travel lovers.
We keel AirTags in all our bags and use these all the time to keep track of them.
This is a great staple to have in a travel pack – equally helpful when hiking and when walking through dark streets and trying to find your hotel.
If you’re traveling somewhere buggy, you definitely want to take this thing along. It sucks venom out to minimize irritation and swelling. Dan swears by it!
This is really convenient to wear if you want to keep money and credit cards concealed and Dan wears it on a daily basis. It’s thin so it fits under clothing, and is big enough for a passport if you need it, too.
There is nothing worse than walking a ton when traveling and getting blisters, but having no other shoe options available. Blister patches are a must to stay comfortable and to protect in the event you do get a blister. They’re a perfect gift for a traveler or outdoor lover.
Know a tiny traveler? These are the only bibs worth using and especially helpful when traveling when laundry is trickier. They also pack down super small and weigh almost nothing.
These metal straws that come with their own case and cleaner are perfect travel gift for someone who cares about the earth.
Sanitizer is a must when traveling and I can never have too many mini bottles hanging on all my bags. I have and love this darling little sanitizer holder, but there are TONS of other options available out there from pandas to fruit.
Who doesn’t like to take photos when traveling? This serves double duty as a mini tripod and selfie stick for your travel-loving friend’s phone.
My phone battery always dies quickly, especially if I’m looking up maps when road tripping. This little adapter is great for charging in the car whether going on a road trip from home or renting a car at a destination.
If you know a young traveler, this is an EXCELLENT gift that will for sure get used. We love these and lots of them are on sale here and here.
This is a new game for us and it has been SO fun! Great for keeping older kids occupied while in transit.
You saw the handwashing soap sheets above; there are also little strips for laundry! These are so convenient and take way less space than packing detergent pods. (Just know you’ll likely need a couple of these per article of clothing.) If you prefer a liquid, these Sink Suds packets are a good option.
Always fun to see where you’ve been before! This is a great option if you’re working your way through visiting all 50 states.
My faves, bar none. They never budget and are perfect with my favorite travel sneakers.
We’ve had and loved these lined notebooks as travel journals for years and we keep returning to them over and over because they’re excellent. (Whoever heard of a notebook having 27k 5-star reviews??) Sturdy with nice, lined pages, and a strap to hold it closed. My kids record our activities and draw pictures in them.
A small card game is always welcomed when traveling – they’re perfect for long rides, waiting in airports, sitting at restaurants, and more. Here are a few family favorites that are all under the $20 mark, with some under the $10 mark!
Suitcase covers are awesome to help you locate your luggage quickly and easily (and keep it from getting mistakenly picked up by someone else). I love these with bright, solid colors and the price is just right. (These with fun patterns are just a couple dollars more.)
These are great, especially if you’ll be spending time outdoors. They pack really small and plump up when you add water. Sturdy and helpful for cleaning.
It’s true – I have weirdly strong opinions about bandages. These are the very best for staying on and helping heal quickly.
Speaking of meds worth taking, we always make sure to have children’s Zyrtec after our pediatrician recommended having it on hand. It’s recommended now over Benadryl for a variety of bites and allergic reactions, so it’s a good one to keep with you. Stick it in a stocking or a full medical kit!
This isn’t the exact model we have (ours doesn’t seem to be sold anymore), but it’s the exact same idea and is on sale. We always throw a couple of these in our luggage. They’re great for redistributing weight, containing stuff (like raincoats) for a day out without completely unpacking another travel backpack, or carrying around snacks.
Wool socks are always a staple for us when traveling because they wick moisture, are really comfortable, and resist odor (so don’t need to be washed as frequently). Here are the full list of all the wool socks I love:
These are absolutely indispensable when we travel. We’ve been using them for well over a decade, and I find I always reach for these expandable ones first – they’re my favorites by far.
This universal travel adapter is a must for us whenever we go abroad. I love that we don’t need different plug adapters based on where we’re going because they’re basically all contained in one item.
This little trowel weighs almost nothing but is really sturdy and makes it easy to dig a cathole when out on a trail without facilities. Help keep the earth beautiful! Always great to have a functional, useful gift, too, and even better that it has an amusing name. 😉 (Also available on Amazon.)
Dan absolutely swears by a using an eye mask to sleep both at home and especially when traveling. This one is excellent, doesn’t put pressure on your eyes, and leaves room to move your eyelashes. It’s a bit pricier than normal eye masks, so it’s perfect for a travel gift.
Ever had a “waterproof” jacket or shoes that got totally damp? It’s especially miserable when traveling. This spray is perfect for touching up their performance and will be appreciated by the travel lovers in your life.
These gloves are sturdy and fantastic – super warm, cozy, and keep you dry. I think they’re excellent whether your skiing or just walking in cold weather to stay toasty when traveling. Great for yourself or as a gift.
I love this one for containing everyone’s toiletries, and we have another that is the very best way to organize kid travel activities.
We don’t like to use melatonin regularly, but occasionally it’s helpful if switching many time zones or trying to sleep on a plane. I like this kind because it’s 1mg (the same dosage as kid-specific melatonin) but is fast acting, much cheaper, and doesn’t have sugar.
I bought this for Dan after a recommendation from a friend. It shrinks down super small and has been a great addition for travels.
My absolute favorite sunscreen. Love the rosy glow and it protects so well. I use it on myself and on my kids.
I bought this magnetic phone ring holder before this trip and it’s definitely helped me drop my phone less 😉
We have one of these waterproof rain covers for every family member’s backpack. They’re the best for travel or for hiking, and I love that they are super lightweight and have a hook to just stay with the pack. They come in several sizes for different packs.
We absolutely love this tiny white noise machine and have two of them we always take with us when we travel. They’re great for helping everyone (including adults) fall asleep quickly and stay asleep, especially when dealing with jet lag. It’s compact and so easy to use, and we’ve even turned it on quietly in a stroller when walking around outside.
This is our go-to topical for any cuts, scrapes, burns, etc. It helps heal so much more quickly and doesn’t sting, and is hypoallergenic (unlike Neosporin). It’s really wonderful and helps skin regenerate quickly. I always pack a bottle when we travel!
These are the coziest little luxury after long travel days! They fold up super small and are great for using in hotel rooms and on long haul flights.
We love this passport holder. It makes it so much easier to keep track of all of them, along with boarding passes, luggage tags, vaccination cards and more. A perfect family travel gift.
I do not go anywhere without a mini portable charger on hand. I love this tiny one for a little charge that easily plugs directly into my phone (it even fits in my jeans pocket easily). I like that this one shows the percent of charge left!
Especially with the iPhone changing ports, this is a great charger to have on hand to connect to the new and old phones, AirPods, and other devices.
We love this one when traveling to buggy areas!
You know when you want to rest a personal item on top of your rolling luggage but it keeps shifting and falling and it’s wildly annoying? The Cincha is a simple but brilliant solution for that. It has a sleeve that hooks over the handle of your suitcase, then the belt secures any other item on top. Perfect for someone who loves traveling with a carry on and an easy add to the best travel gifts list!
We absolutely love this little device that allows you to connect your own Bluetooth headphones to the airplane’s entertainment system. You just plug this tiny device into the headphone jack, connect, and voila – you can listen via wireless headphones.
We’ve had this folding charging station for a few months and at first I thought it was a bit extra, but it turns out it’s really awesome to have everything in one spot. We have never take the case with us but just take the dock, and it’s so easy to charge our iPhones, AirPods, and Apple watch all in one spot. Also perfect gifts for someone who travels for work.
We’ve used these 12L hiking backpacks for years and they’re the best. Roomy, comfortable, water-resistant, and last forever. We use them on day hikes, and they’re often either the carry on luggage or airplane backpack my kids use when we travel. The best. I also use it myself!
For younger kiddos, especially ones who just want to join in the club of having a backpack but can’t carry much, this little Camelbak is our favorite. It’s amazing to let them carry their own water and snack and drink while walking instead of stopping every 45 seconds. 😉
Amazing deal on this one that we love and that has saved us more than once when we’ve had a flat on the road. 88k positive reviews don’t lie.
My beloved oil cleanser! This is what I use every single day at home, too, but I especially love it for travel because it means I don’t need to pack nearly as much. I cleanse AND moisturize with this, and my skin is glowy. Cose LOCALPASSPORTFAMILY stacks with their current sale!
I think rain pants are such a great travel item – they keep clothing from getting wet and soggy, of course, but they’re also great for wind/cold/outdoor play. Plus, they weigh almost nothing and take barely any room. These are the kids’ ones we love, but we also own and love the women’s style and the men’s style.
I love this stuff at the end of my nighttime face cleansing routine even at home, but especially when traveling. It’s a magic serum that somehow manages to keep away blemishes, or very quickly make them disappear if they start to pop up (which they are always WAY more likely to with traveling between dry air and germy airplane seats). Love it so much. Code LOCALPASSPORTFAMILY gets a discount.
We started using this handy travel wash bag a few months ago and it’s amazing for being able to wash small amounts of clothing when traveling. This bag is super lightweight and packs small, but cleans clothing as well as a full washing machine. (Free shipping in the US, also available on Amazon.)
My favorite packable duffel! Folds down really small and lightweight so it’s easy to throw in a suitcase or attach onto a backpack with a carabiner (we’ve done this many times). But expands to hold a TON and is really sturdy. This would make a terrific gift.
All 3 of my boys have loved these pants for years. They’re super sturdy and comfortable, and they love that they can zip off into shorts. This makes them excellent not just for hiking, but for travel – pants for cold airplanes, shorts for the beach! The ultimate 2-in-1 outfit. We’ve had multiple sizes and passed them through multiple kids and they still look practically brand new.
While a little portable charger (above!) is fantastic, when traveling or out for whole days as a family, we always have a bigger power bank for multiple charges. We’ve had this one for years – it’s fantastic and lasts a long time, and is lightweight relative to how much charge it holds. Highly recommend.
We find a lot of places out of the US, especially, don’t have infant and toddler life jackets available. We like to take this one along for safety for our littlest ones.
Here’s a secret – unless you’re quite tall (above 6′ or so), I think these kids’ hiking poles are absolutely fantastic. Sturdy and great quality, and the kids’ ones are much less expensive. The adult ones are also great. I love using them on hills to help with energy and saving knees and they really do make a huge difference. My kids also love using them. They’re currently on sale!
Of course we had to bring our Yoto mini along, as well as some cards. It’s great for listening to audiobooks on the plane, in cars, or even at a hotel room. It’s perfect for a preschooler’s travel backpack!
I’ve used this bag absolutely nonstop since I got it a year and a half ago. It’s the absolute perfect travel or everyday bag for moms who are active and on the go. The main pocket is roomy and can fit diapers and snacks, along with my keys, sunglasses, AirPods, and more, along with an interior zip. (Also available on Amazon.)
We absolutely love this kids’ backpacking pack and have used it for so many different trips, from actual backpacking to many many carry-on-only flights. I actually used it myself on a 4-day Alps trek and it was absolutely perfect, and much more comfortable than an adult pack on me (several friends tried it and agreed!).
Wool base layers are a winter travel must have for me – they stay so warm, don’t get stinky when traveling, and last a long time. Our whole family has them and we’ve passed them down through multiple kids. They’re on the pricier side, so perfect for gifting. These are my favorites that are super warm and stretchy, or these are a great, more affordable merino option.
Dan uses this lightweight folding carrier all the time. We absolutely love how lightweight and portable it is, and that it folds into its own little pouch when not in use. It weighs less than a pound dries in a flash when it gets wet, and is much cooler than other carriers. Love it.
Hear me out – I know this one isn’t specific to travel, but Storyworth is perfect for someone who has enjoyed travel (or any experiences, really) to record the special moments of their life. Think of it as custom travel gifts! The recipient receives question prompts about their life that they answer, then those are all compiled into a beautiful book. We did this for my dad a few years ago, before he passed away, and I am SO grateful to have those special memories that he shared from his travels and adventures, as well as about time spent with family.
If you know someone who loves to travel off the beaten path either in the wilderness or in areas without potable tap water, this filter water bottle is absolutely amazing. We love that it filters quickly and easily without needing to suck through a straw for clean water. It’s an investment, but it’s been a lifesaver for us for everything from hiking in backcountry to exploring in India. Definitely on the list of best gift ideas for people who travel.
If there’s one safety item I recommend for every family who loves to travel in a car, it’s this portable car battery jump starter. It’s so convenient because it can jump start a car entirely on its own (can do up to 20 jumps on a single charge) without needing another car. Absolutely essential if you’re driving in remote areas or even cities where you might not have other cars easily accessible in case of a dead battery. It’s really a must have for anyone who drives anywhere at all. We keep one in every vehicle!
This chair is the best for throwing in the car for a road trip or just for heading to a sports practice. So lightweight and my kids can easily set it up.
We got 2 of these and they’ve been so helpful when we have guests and for big road trips. We use it a ton when we need an extra bed.
We’ve had one of these for well over a decade and have used it since our eldest was a baby. It’s the absolute best – it folds up so small and flat, easily slides into a carry on suitcase or duffel, and only weighs about a pound. It sets up in about 10 seconds and is so easy for travel! Would make a terrific gift for a traveling family with little kids.
Dan has and loves this merino quarter zip – it’s great as a base layer or mid-layer – warm, lightweight, and easily packable. Wool is a fantastic travel gift because it can be reworn without needing frequent washing, sustainable, and warm in cold weather/cool in warmer temps.
Speaking of great layers, this cashmere hoodie is the absolute tops. Super soft and warm, doesn’t need washing when traveling, looks good with absolutely everything. Dan wears it tons in the winter.
These are my favorite hiking sandals – they’re sturdy and have great grip, but are also perfect for the beach and walking around. I’ve used them for multiple months and summers and they still look brand new.
This is the rain jacket we have for multiple kids and it’s a workhorse. Lightweight and packable, too.
I think rain pants are such a great travel item – they keep clothing from getting wet and soggy, of course, but they’re also great for wind/cold/outdoor play. Plus, they weigh almost nothing and take barely any room. These are the women’s ones I love, but we also own and love the men’s style and the kids’ style.
Sometimes things are really popular with very good reason, and this lightweight convertible car seat is one of them. It’s nothing fancy, but it weighs almost nothing and works for even young kiddos. It’s a great travel car seat for little ones that can face forwards or backwards.
These are, by far, my very favorite women’s pants for travel. I wear them all the time at home, and they’re the ones I always take along when we travel. They’re super lightweight and packable, dry quickly, have a comfy/stretchy waistband, can be dressed up or down, and can layer easily in lots of different climates. They’d be a fantastic gift for a woman you love who enjoys traveling.
A Rumpl puffy blanket is ALWAYS a good idea! This is one of my favorite gift items for anyone who’s into the outdoors. So packable but really warm and just works great all around. The National Park prints are my faves. I also super love the Everywhere Mats – they’re the perfect sturdy, waterproof picnic blankets and fold up really small.
An absolute MUST for us, both at home and while traveling. My 4 older kids each have one and it helps them read soooo much more, especially when we’re away from home. This is a fantastic deal on them either for your kids or for yourself. Don’t forget to sign up for 30 TOTALLY FREE days of Kindle Unlimited!
Only my favorite shoes of all time! The most comfortable, the best for walking miles and miles, can wear with trousers or jeans or dresses, the very best of the best. Have had multiple pairs for years and will never stop singing their praises.
Speaking of shoes, these are my absolute go-tos boots for autumn/winter/spring. I literally wear them probably 90% of days living in London, and they’re great for travel because they’re super comfy and go with everything. I wear them with jeans, dresses, when hiking, and more. I’ve had mine for over a year and they still look brand new!
This women’s rain jacket is more expensive than the basic ones, but it’s super sturdy, comfortable, and most of all, keeps you bone dry. I purchased it for my Alps trek when I knew I didn’t want to take chances with being damp and cold, and it held up beautifully.
Cliche, but for a reason. Still use mine daily.
I love this coat because it’s warm and super lightweight, and packs into a pouch the size of a water bottle for easy storage when not in use. I love it for travel with different climates or if it’s not super cold since I can easily pack it up and hook it onto a bag with a carabiner if I’m not using it. They also have a whole line of these jackets for men & kids, too, and our whole fam uses and loves them.
Trust me, I know how ludicrous a big inflatable boat sounds – I’ve lived it, lol. But Dan absolutely loves this thing and we’ve used it far more than I ever would’ve guessed. It’s perfect on lakes and calm rivers and my kids think it’s the best thing. It’s technically not for 8 people but since we still have some little kids, we all get in just fine and it’s rated to far more weight than we make up.
This is a super handy little device that’s especially great for hiking and other outdoors activities, but also really helpful for traveling, especially to remote areas. It was so helpful when our RV broke down when we didn’t have service, and is great for traveling to areas where cell reception is weak (or nonexistent). (It’s also included in my list of outdoorsy Mother’s Day gift ideas!)
Dan has used and loved this backpack for YEARS and is still obsessed. The layout is fantastic for travel, and it makes an excellent carry on or day pack when out exploring with kids.
REI’s newest line of sleeping bags is super warm and cozy, and has lots of different sizes and lengths to get a perfect fit. They’re a terrific bag and great of you want something sturdy and warm.
This Roadie Cooler is a great item to keep in the car for keeping drinks cold. Perfect for anyone you know who drives around a lot, whether on a road trip or just going around to school pickups and sports practices.
Our very favorite kids’ bike would make an excellent gift and is currently on sale for Black Friday. The braking system is the safest in existence and we have absolutely loved using these for our kiddos.
The very best gift is the gift of time, and if you can document it, even better. We absolutely love using Flytographer to get some beautiful family photos; despite having a camera and tripod, there’s something so special about having someone else capture your family in a way that you can’t. It’s a terrific option for getting photos together while traveling (they have photographers all over the world), and we’ve even used them in our home city.
If you’re looking for a big ticket travel gift item, we have and love this drone. It has great video quality and is so small and compact, so it’s very convenient for travel. It’s not cheap, but it’s a terrific choice if you’re in the market for one.
These women’s hiking boots are definitely not cheap, but I think they are absolutely fantastic. I’ve had mine for years and they’ve held up 100% perfectly – my feet have stayed bone dry, I’ve never had a blister or so much as a hint of one, and they’ve supported me through miles and miles of trails. I love them so much. Dan has the men’s version and also loves them!
