Our annual list of gifts for both kids & adults to inspire & assist with travel
1. Lonely Planet Kids books
Did you know that Lonely Planet publishes more than just guidebooks? The company also produces really engaging books for kids. If you’re planning any national park trips, what better way to prime your kids’ interest than with Lonely Planet Kids: America’s National Parks. The book showcases each national park by the numbers (like highest point and number of plant species) and then presents fun facts, photos, and illustrations that capsulize what makes each park unique. We even learned things that we hadn’t realized when visiting the parks in person! Every park description also includes kid-friendly recommendations for what to do like exploring ghost towns, rock climbing, snorkeling, spelunking, stargazing, whitewater rafting, and much more. Cost: $15.
We also really like Lonely Planet Kids: How Airports Work. This interactive, lift-the-flap book takes you behind the scenes to uncover the hidden workings of an airport. Where does luggage go after check in? What happens in the control tower? How do planes actually fly? We guarantee that you’ll learn as much as your kids from this incredibly detailed book. Cost: $15.
2. Night Scout rechargeable LED beanie hat
The Night Scout combines the warmth of a beanie with the functionality of a hands-free headlamp. The LED light has three levels of brightness and simply pops out to recharge in the USB-port of your computer. The cap is a great solution for campers, but we’ve also used it for some creative night photography. For example, we tested the cap on a recent trip to Finland. Not only was it really warm, it created a cool spotlight effect in our photo of the Northern Lights. Check it out here (slide 10).
You can purchase the Night Scout hat on The Grommet. Cost: $15.
3. Möbi & Möbi Kids travel games
Parents Vanessa and Mark Ellingson loved classic word games like Scrabble and Bananagrams that disguised learning as play, so they invented Möbi for their son, Noah, to teach math skills in a fun way. Similar to a crossword puzzle, players arrange number tiles and mathematical symbols to create simple equations called pods. Wild cards and other creative rules add to the fun. The first person to use all his or her tiles yells “Möbi” to win. The tiles come in a cute and portable whale bag, making it an easy travel game. We found it especially useful in keeping kids (and parents) busy while waiting at restaurants. Möbi is recommended for ages 6 and up, either for solo or group play (up to six people). Cost: $20.
Möbi Kids is a similar game; it comes with an activity book and is geared toward beginners. Cost: $17.
4. Mapiful maps
Have you ever visited someplace and then wanted a map to hang as a reminder of your trip? Unless you were visiting a location like New York, London or Paris, you likely were out of luck. Well, Mapiful makes it possible to create a customized map poster of anywhere in the world. We recently used the website to design and order a map of Ireland to commemorate our family trip, but it doesn’t have to be a vacation spot. If could be your hometown or favorite neighborhood. Cost: $59.
KidTripster Tip: Mapiful also sells frames and hangers. We opted for the hanger which is a strip of wood for the top and bottom of your poster that’s then hung by a string. We were disappointed with the hanger. When assembled with the poster, it’s very delicate and easily falls apart. We recommend purchasing your own frame once your poster arrives.
5. Walker Family Goods standing backpack
Walker Family Goods is run by Lex and Loren Brinton, two parents trying to defy the notion that you can’t travel with kids. That’s why they design thoughtful products to make travel easier. We like the good-looking Arrow Pack, named after their book-loving son, because it stands up, making accessing the contents inside a whole lot easier. It also has three zippered compartments with easy-pull tabs and a designated, padded section for a tablet or 13-inch laptop. It comes in ten different colors. Cost: Full size $59; mini $50. The company also sells coordinating duffel bags.
6. Bubble Bum portable booster seat
Not long ago, mom-writers at KidTripster reviewed different kinds of portable booster seats for kids, ages 4 to at least 8 years old. Bubble Bum continues to be their favorite.
If you’re looking for something to make traveling easier, buy a Bubble Bum. This inflatable seat takes the place of your larger, hard plastic booster seat. Substitute Bubble Bum in an Uber or Lyft, cab or rental car. When you’re done, just deflate it and tuck it away in its own little bag. Read our full review here. Cost: $30.
KidTripster Tip: Bubble Bum also is a good option for carpooling. When your child needs to ride with someone else, just throw Bubble Bum in their backpack.
7. Baggallini cross-body handbag
Our writer Elizabeth Moreno swears by this Baggallini cross-body handbag for travel. She takes it on every single family trip. She likes to travel hands-free, but a backpack presents challenges. First, she feels more comfortable having her valuables like her passport and money in front where she can see them as opposed to on her back. Also, especially in Europe, you often have to check backpacks at major attractions.
The anti-theft bag features slash resistant panels, a double-cable cut-resistant strap, locking zippers, and RFID protection. The bag holds a water bottle or umbrella in the side pouch, and it has a convertible pocket that opens to slip over a luggage handle. An added perk? Her teenaged sons and husband will carry it, too, because it doesn’t feel like carrying a purse! Cost: $100.
8. E-Bag & Away carry-on luggage
This year, we spent a great deal of time testing carry-on bags. We pulled and pushed both soft-sided and hard-sided bags at airports around the world. All the bags that we tested met the stricter carry-on size used by international airlines as opposed to American carriers. Our winners: Away’s carry-on with an ejectable battery and E-Bags TLS Mother Lode. To read our full review, click here.
So if you’re looking for a pricier gift that will really get used, opt for these first-class carry-ons. Cost: Away $225; E-Bag $198.
KidTripster Tip: You also may want to consider a Tile or other tracking device for your new bag.
9. Zinc Flyte luggage scooter
We first spotted the Zinc Flyte luggage scooter at an airport in Europe. It was all we could do not to ask the scooter’s owner to take it for a spin! If you have young kids who complain about carrying or rolling their luggage on vacation, here’s your solution. Make it fun! We’ve even seen families empty out the case and use the scooter when touring sights. The cases come in all sorts of fun, whimsical designs. There’s a mini version for ages 2 to 4 and a midi version for ages 4 to 8. Cost: Mini $80; Midi $90.
10. National Geographic Kids books
National Geographic not only produces engaging and inspiring television shows and tours, but the company also has a line of books that stoke kids’ curiosity about the world. Here are three new selections this year.
National Geographic Kids: Weird but true! USAis a collection on 300 fascinating facts about all 50 states. Perfect for your next road trip, let your kids wow you with their newfound knowledge from this compact and portable book. For example, did you know that there is a floating post office in Michigan? Your family will encounter all kinds of bizarre people, places, events, and things in this book that will really make you think. Cost: $8.
It’s the 10th anniversary of the National Geographic Kids: Almanac. This year, the almanac features all-new content, interviews, and a special look at what was going on in the world when the first National Geographic Kids Almanac came out ten years ago, plus the results of the 2019 Almanac Challenge and a new challenge for kids who want to get involved with helping the planet. In addition to fun facts and incredible photos, the book has crafts, activities, games, jokes, and fascinating features on animals, science, nature, technology, conservation, and more. Cost: $7.
Another good road trip companion, National Geographic Kids Brain Games: Mighty Book of Mind Benders is packed with puzzles, optical illusions, cranial challenges, and information on the latest research on our amazing brains. Time trials test your skills in each chapter. It’s based on the National Geographic hit television show, Brain Games. Cost: $8.
This writer received some complimentary products for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own. Some Amazon links are provided for your convenience, and yes, KidTripster makes a few cents, too. You’ll pay the same price as you would going to Amazon directly. Thanks in advance for your support.
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