The Ultimate Travel Gear Guide for Babies, Toddlers & Kids: Essentials for Stress-Free Travel Perfect for Baby Shower, New Baby, or Just Great Gifts

This Boomer Grandma learned years ago that we raised our children, the parents of our grandchildren, in the dark ages, and we do not know much, if anything, about the current trends in child-rearing.  Forget anything about the new technology and new baby gear! Yes, I do wish we had the travel gear I found now when our children were young, but I like to explore all about these things. You never know when you need to get a baby shower or new baby gift.  Why not get one that encourages visits to grandparents. You never know when the parents of your grandchildren might need some of these new items, essentials for stress-free travel with babies, toddlers and children, especially when planning a trip to see the grandparents or go somewhere with the grandparents!  Some grandparents might want some of this gear for their own homes. Definitely check out the safety features and use recommendations of each for yourself.

When you tell the parents of your grandchildren you read this post, you might ask if they might want the gear as a gift.  What better hint can you give for a trip to visit grandparents?

TERNX TRAVEL LUGGAGE STROLLER

The TernX Travel Luggage Stroller is a suitcase that converts into a travel stroller, with an under seat basket, that fits in the airplane overhead compartment and can roll down the airplane aisle.  It is certified to ASTM safety standards (American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International.  ASTM standards address various aspects of safety, including impact resistance, compression resistance, electrical hazard protection, and material properties.).  It has a reclining Seat for comfort, “an ergonomic seat design allows for both exploring and napping on the go.” It has adjustable seat extension, it expands to grow with your child. It locks in place. It is designed for babies from six months up to a four year old, and the only luggage stroller that is certified for a child up to 48.5 pounds.  Yes, it is expensive, but a great gift.  Try this discount code and see if it works: Sophia20 for 20% off.

WAYB TRAVEL SEAT THAT FOLDS INTO A BACKPACK

WayB, a travel seat that folds into a backpack, is the subject of a Strategist article in New York Magazine.

The Strategist listed products are recommendations of their editors. Editor Merit Bauger says, “the WAYB car seat isn’t cheap, but one of the key differences between it and other travel car seats is that it folds in half, making for an extremely compact piece of equipment. The brand’s marketing photos even show parents toting it around on the handles of their carry-on. With more solo mother-son trips in my not-too-distant future, I knew additional carry-on items would need to be small and light enough for me to manage on my own, so I decided to also spring for the Deluxe Pico Travel Bag. . . .we travel frequently and the price-per-use ratio would ultimately be less expensive, and provide way more peace of mind, than renting a car seat.” It is “lightweight at only eight pounds, compact, fits in an overhead compartment, has a five-point harness, and most important, passes all U.S. safety standards for motor vehicles and planes.” The WAYB is recommended for kids aged 2 years and up who weigh between 22 and 50 pounds and are between 30 and 45 inches tall.  Car seats are free to carry on and it’s also FAA-approved for use in an airplane seat, or you can store in overhead bin. She recommends watching and keeping this YouTube video on installation: Yes, it is expensive, but again, a great gift. Amazon has a package with the seat and carry bag, and other bundles.

Nordstrom has the travel seat, carry bag, cup holder, and vehicle seat protector, each sold separately.

RIDESAFER CARSEAT VEST, ALLOWS CHILD TO USE REGULAR SEAT BELT

Berit Baugher also addresses the RideSafer vest, as “a conveniently compact option that lets young kids safely use a regular seat belt but has a 30-pound minimum.” It weighs 2.9 pounds and easily fits into a carry-on.  The small size is recommended to use 3 years and above and a weight between 30 lbs. and 60 lbs. The Large size is recommended to use 3 years and above and a weight between 50 lbs. and 80 lbs. The X-Large size is recommended to use 3 years and above and a weight between 80 lbs. and 110 lbs. It seems like something local grandparents could keep at their house.

Amazon gives it a 4.5 rating, and has the following information:

IT IS UNCONVENTIONAL and INNOVATIVE. This is a vest type Child Restraint System and uses a revolutionary technology to increase safety for the little traveler by optimizing the adult seat belt fit for their body.

IT IS SAFE AND LEGAL. This is certified for use in motor vehicles, meets or exceeds all applicable FMVSS 213 requirements so is legal to use in all US states.

IT IS COMPACT, ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT, AND PORTABLE. This is perfect for a family travel, fits 3-children in the same row of a vehicle with comfort and ease; ridesharing, taxi, or rental car. Great for grandparents and caregivers because it’s lightweight and easy to install and use.

IT CAN BE USED WITH OR WITHOUT TETHER. This is to use with a vehicle lap belt and top tether by securing the vest with a top tether anchor in the vehicle. Also, this can be used with a lap and shoulder belt only without a tether strap.

Amazon has a discount coupon available on it right now.

APELILA 22" RIDE ON SUITCASE

This Grandma saw a child on this at the airport and had to check it out. It is described on Amazon as an Apelila 22 inch Ride on Suitcase for Kids, Travel Luggage Trolley Suitcase with Spinner Wheels, Travel Luggage for Child with Combination Lock/Safety Belt/Telescoping Handle (Yellow) and has a 4.6 rating; right now it has a discount coupon available.  I love the bright yellow color. Of all of the above, this choice is not as expensive an option. The only big negative is that it requires check in, and may not be able to be carried past security or on to the airplane (I guess could be gate checked so may be somewhat useful at the airport), so what good is it that it can hold the child’s busy plane items?

LUZZO GEAR KIDS AIRPLANE TRAY TABLE COVER WITH POCKETS AND TABLET COVER

The Luzzo Gear Kids Airplane Tray Cover and Tablet Cover is inexpensive, comes in different colors and five patterns and folds easily. It’s a washable lap desk, tablet holder, food catcher, and organizer with a carabiner clip.  For babies, toddlers, and even adults (black available).  The tray side keeps all the snacks, crayons, coloring book, sippy cups and everything else on the tray. Some reviewers had problems with it fitting the airline tray table on some airlines. It is Amazon’s choice.

TRADER TRAVEL ACTIVITY BAG

Grandparents with time on their hands can buy a hanging toiletry and fill it with the grandchildren’s favorite things, or just buy one on Amazon, which says for ages 36 months to 12 years. Light weight, waterproof, and includes: Slug, Ball Puzzle, Silicone Suction Men, Sensory Noodles, Paper 3d Insect, Water Squirt Ring Toss, Butter Slime, Flower Cage Puzzle, 7 Ft Sticky Coloring Roll With Crayons, Pop Fidget Spinner And Watercolor Paint Booklet With Built In Paint.

Hope you have safe travels with

Joy,

Mema