‘Tis the season for packing the car up, shoving wrapped presents into suitcases, and trying to juggle seeing as much family as possible. Let’s be honest, the kids just do not seem to understand why we do this to ourselves and at times I also ponder that same thought. But seeing family during the holiday season creates memories that we will treasure and deep down I know our kids will as well.
To make it less stressful for those with toddlers and young children, I am sharing the top 5 things I never leave home without, no matter what time of year!
- Melissa and Doug Color Water WOW – The kids can color without making a mess. I take them in the car and on planes. I usually grab a few because you have to them dry before you can start over. But yes, that means they’re reusable.
- A small backpack. I prefer the CathKidson line. The mini rucksack is the perfect size for a toddler. They allow your kid to feel a sense of pride in having their own bag. Plus, they are large enough to fit a good amount of small toys but small enough to actually fit on their backs.
- Their favorite sippy cup is a must. Small comforts of home can help them immensely. I have personally found the Munchkin Miracle one works well at the toddler stage. If you’re flying, you can travel with an empty cup and fill it after passing through TSA. My favorite is the Munchkin Miracle 360 and better yet, there is one with a lid!
- A tablet. I mount it on the headrest in the car and prop it up with a stand case on the tray on the plane. We use the Amazon Fire for the kids because it is cheaper and allows us to easily download content from Amazon Prime for free because we have a Prime membership.
- If you don’t want to lug a car seat on the plane this travel harness is a lifesaver! If your kids are strapped in you can feel more relaxed. Let’s be honest, keeping them still at this age is a real struggle. If you prefer a car seat click here for my recommendation on the best car seat to take on a plane.
I hope this helps you travel a little smoother this holiday season and beyond!
