23 Travel Gifts for Kids That They Will Actually Use

_{By Brianna • February 22, 2022}

Kids that travel use a variety of things in the car and on planes. Some of these things are what we call “needs” and some of them are “wants.” Either way, travel goes more smoothly when kids have some supplies for the trip. Our list of travel gifts for kids includes only things that kids will actually use on a trip that happen to double as great gift ideas!

We have seen so many lists that have 50+ ideas but only 12 of those ideas are actually something a child would use more than once. For our family, we are looking for travel gifts for toddlers that are functional or educational. However, we have also included some ideas for older children and even a few travel gifts for teens. Check out our recommendations below!

What are useful gifts for kids?

First, I think it should be noted that all of the gifts on our list are considered “useful” gifts for kids. Useful, to us, means that it will help them do something new/fun and it is something that will be used multiple times.

Notice snacks are not on the list-they do not help them do something new and they can’t be used multiple times. However, we have included things like a child’s word atlas, a car travel pillow, etc. Useful!

Our Top Travel Gifts for Kids

Neck pillow/car travel pillow

I cannot recommend one of these enough! Our toddlers love their car travel pillows and ask for them as soon as they get in the carseat, whether they plan to nap or not. We actually field tested quite a few of these pillows to find the one we felt like worked best for toddlers. You can find our list of pillows (as well as which one we declared the best travel pillow for kids) over here.

A car travel pillow is very versatile so it can also be used on a plane. It helps your child sleep better in an upright position in just about any seat! These are perfect gifts for teens and children. They also come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and themes so you should be able to find one that suits your child perfectly!

Headphones

There are so many options when it comes to headphones for kids. First you need to decide if you want wireless head phones or corded headphones. In my experience, it is easier to use corded headphones with toddlers in the car because it prevents disconnection issues. However, that depends on if your toddler can keep their hands off of the cord or not.

There are so many headphones for kids these days! We linked three brands of headphones we have personally used without issues (one in our car, one at grandma’s house, and some that we borrowed before we bought our own). A few things we looked for when choosing headphones were: 1. volume control (as in they can’t get too loud) 2. adjustable but snug fit, and 3. compatible with multiple devices. All three of these met those criteria!

The first pair has a pairing feature that allows two sets of headphones to connect and plug into one device. This is especially useful if you only have one device! The second set is a “run of the mill” set of headphones that are very affordable and do their job. The third pair of headphones are wireless, noise cancelling, and a bit more pricey.

Luggage

Our toddlers are very young so they are not responsible for their own bags just yet. However, we already have a set of luggage for each of them as soon as they are ready (thanks grandpa and grandma!). We asked for input form friends who have older children and they recommend three different kinds.

The first recommended luggage is ride on luggage for toddlers. Did you know this exists?? I did not until I asked a friend recently. She said their 4 year old is completely responsible for his luggage going through the airport and he LOVES it! She recommends the first one because of the handle bars which allow him to stand and ride. The next links were close second and third place winners!

Quick word of caution: the scooter can tip over if it is too heavy and the rolling suitcases can roll away if left unattended. For an option that does not roll around like a scooter, we recommend one of the next three choices. The first one is a hard shell case that is very sturdy. The only downside to a hard shell case is that it cannot be squished into an overly full trunk like a soft suitcase can.

The next two choices are soft suitcases that come highly recommended! The first one is a two piece set that is great for kids who can manage their own luggage. It is a little bit taller than I would recommend for toddlers or younger children. The last one is more toddler sized and even doubles as a backpack!

Luggage tag

When I first saw these I thought it was kind of a silly gift idea. As a gift on its own it probably would be kind of silly to a toddler or young child. However, this new luggage tag attached to a new set of luggage could be really cool! My three year old can read his name and gets really excited when he sees it on something (his backpack, a book, etc.). Even he would appreciate one of these!

Here are three recommendations in three different materials:

The leather tags pictured above are the only ones out of our selections that have a privacy shield. The other tags have information displayed directly on the outside of the tag. Use caution when deciding how much information should go on the tag!

Backpack/carry on

I don’t know about other families but our family has way too many backpacks. My son has three in his closet. THREE! However, we use them all the time because they are so convenient and easy to load/unload. Our diaper bag is even a backpack! We have two different colors of this one and love it:

A backpack is one of the best travel gifts for kids because it can serve so many functions during travel or for day to day use. We use ours when we visit grandma and grandpa but we also use them when we drive a few states over to visit the beach. We like the one pictured because it is waterproof, has just enough pockets, is lightweight, and a perfect size for our smaller children.

Travel blanket

The type of blanket you choose will completely depend on your child’s preference. However, we love a blanket that is snuggly and fits into its own carrying case. Enter the EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow! It is super soft, easily washable, does in a variety of colors, and packs into its own zip up case that makes it convenient to carry. That zip up case also doubles as a pillow!

Travel blankets are also perfect gift ideas for teens and children who love to take a nap in the car or on a plane.

Globe for kids

Depending on the age of your child, a globe could serve a few different functions. For older kids, it is a way to locate new places, learn geography, or map out a new trip/route. For younger kids, it could be more of a puzzle or learning toy that guides them towards basic geography and understanding of different places.

Here are three types of globes for three different age groups. The first one is a globe for toddlers and serves more as an introduction to the world with puzzle pieces. The second one is a globe for kids that doubles as a learning toy. It talks to you about the places you touch on the globe with the attached stylus. The third one is a traditional globe for kids that includes raised mountain ranges and a laminated map.

Scratch off map

My husband and I were actually gifted a world scratch off map as a wedding gift and we fell in love with it! However, we have done a lot of domestic travel since having kids and have often said we wished we had a USA scratch off map. So, it is on our list of things to get for ours son’s next birthday!

Scratch off maps come in a variety of forms including: world, USA, national parks, etc. See below for our pick from each category!

Some sellers also offer a combo pack that allows you to get both a USA scratch off map and a world scratch off map together. You can find those here:

Personalized book (librio)

Magnetic travel games

Magnetic travel games are our favorite! Why? Because the pieces STICK! They stick to each other, they stick to the board, etc. This makes playing a game in the car or on a plane so much easier. We travel with toddlers so they are not fully independent with most things. Magnetic travel games make playing games in the car possible with young children!

The first game is a simple matching game. Take N Play has a ton of options when it comes to magnetic travel games. They offer everything from checkers to go fish. The second option is a magnetic tangram board. Tangrams build fine motor, logic, and math skills while playing a fun puzzle game. The last option is a magnetic sorting game that is perfect for toddlers! It features four colors of magnetic beads that can be moved using the magnetic pen (attached).

Search and find book

Binoculars

Binoculars are loved by all children, regardless of age. I have never met a kid who was not fascinated by the concept of binoculars. Our kids started playing with them at age 18 months and our 4 year old is still very intrigued. As they get older, they begin to take them outside and explore with their binoculars.

We started our kids with a pair of Melissa and Doug binoculars to get them used to the idea. Then we upgraded to the blue pair pictured below because they are so budget friendly. The green pair are listed as a toy but offer 8×21 zoom and are shockproof!

The black pair pictured below are legitimate binoculars for kids or adults. They are very small so they work well as a kids’ pair or a pocket pair for adults. They are the most expensive on our list but offer significantly more clarity and zoom than traditional kids’ binoculars.

Travel journal

A travel journal is a great idea for ages 5+, depending on when your child starts writing. Travel journals offer a way to keep detailed notes about a trip from a child’s perspective while also giving them the bonus of extra writing practice! I know some parents who fill out the journal for their younger child by writing their child’s ideas down on paper. Other parents wait until the child is old enough to fill it out independently before they invest in a travel journal. Either way, here are a few we recommend:

Be sure to check out the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon before choosing one. The reviews on these journals are also very helpful to know what kind of prompts are included in each journal!

Waterproof camera for kids

Hands down, this has been our favorite waterproof camera for kids to date. The Ourlife kids camera has oodles of features that make it top notch for kiddos.

It is (obviously) waterproof, it comes with a perfect silicone carrying case that provides two replay convenient handles on the sides, as well as built in puzzle games/bedtime story/music mode. It is also “drop proof” and even has a selfie mode.

My 4 year old can navigate this camera pretty well even though it is recommended for ages 6+. It also comes in blue and pink, in addition to the purple shown above.

Single player travel games

Single player travel games are just that: games that kids can play by themselves. We have two favorites when it comes to these types of activities. The first is a Melissa and Doug magnet matching kit. This kit has over 100 magnets that requires kids to match pieces to picture scenes. It’s time consuming to say the least. However, it is also guided so it is great for younger kiddos who are old enough not to put magnets in their mouths but are not quite creative enough to build their own scenes.

The second option is a travel lego kit. This is not technically a travel “game” but it works the same and packs SO well. This kit is perfect for the car or an airplane. Again, it is 100% not for younger kids due to the size of the pieces. Duplo legos don’t travel quite as well due to size, unfortunately, so I would recommend this for ages 4+ if you have responsible kiddos who don’t put things in their mouths. Otherwise, follow the package directions!

E reader for kids

An e reader for kids means many things to many people. We have toddlers so for us it means a book that will literally read to them in the simplest way possible. The Disney e reader from PI kids is a perfect example of a toddler/young child e reader!

It comes with 8 built in stories from various Disney movies. The e reader will read each story to your child while your child holds a hardcover book that matches the story being read. Different pages have different picture icons on them that correspond to buttons on the e reader. These buttons provide sound effects, sayings, etc. to help them stay physically engaged in the story being read.

Twistable crayons and coloring book

It sounds simple and I know we all had them growing up, but I promise they are still fun. My kids choose to color over play games or watch videos. Coloring books can be found literally anywhere: Target, CVS, thrift stores, book stores, dollar stores, etc.

Good quality twistable crayons are a little more difficult to find. We recommend Crayola Twistable Crayons for a few reasons. The first reason is I’m a teacher and brand loyalist. The second is they really are more durable (less likely to break) and last longer (you can physically color longer) than any other brand. Ultimately you save money by investing a little bit more up front because of the longevity of the crayon.

Atlas

This may sound like a boring gift but even my three year old loves his! He loves to look at the pictures and have us point to places that we have visited or will be visiting soon. There are two different types of atlases: a world atlas and a United States atlas. We recommend these for world atlases:

If you are looking for a United States Atlas we recommend these:

If you have a toddler this gift may end up being just a book that they look through but hey, at least you found a fun book for them to stay busy with! Older kids will understand the atlas concept more and can appreciate the geography they are leaning while they travel!

Kids Headlamp/flashlight

I can think of so many vacations where a headlamp or flashlight would be useful. Walking the beach at night, camping, excursions that happen underground or in darker places, nighttime parades, etc. There are so many reasons kids should have their own lights! My toddlers love theirs and want to bring it on every trip. We frequently stay in Airbnbs and they love to “inspect” each room with a light.

These headlamps are technically for adults but they can definitely double as kids headlamps thanks to the adjustable straps. We like the headlamps that have a strap across the top as well because it keeps it from falling down too far.

Water bottle

My mind does not automatically go to “water bottle” when I think of a cool travel gift for kids but you can be really creative with how you personalize these for the travelers in your life! A friend of ours bought water bottles for our kids and had them decked out with their initials, interests, etc. They loved them!

We are personally a Contigo family. I have never met a Contigo water bottle that I did not love and that was not easy to clean.When our kids were just starting to use water bottles be bought these and used them until the spouts fell off (which was literally years later):

As our kids got older, we noticed we were having to refill their water bottles more often (especially during the warmer months). So, we upgraded to these and have had them for over a year with no issues:

Reusable sticker pads

Reusable sticker pads are perfect travel gifts for kids because they don’t have extra pieces and you can use them more than once! We buy the Melissa and Doug sets because the quality of the stickers is so great. Amazon sells these in bundles which ends up being a little bit cheaper than purchasing them separately. We own this one because it is perfect for any age/interest:

However, they also have more specific bundles for girls and for boys.

Drawing tablet

A drawing tablet is one of those great small gifts for kids that packs lightly and can provide hours of entertainment for any child who loves to doodle. We have tried a couple of different brands that have either worn quickly or had very dim screens. As of February 2022, we really like this one due to how bright it is and how well it has held up:

Tablet

A tablet is something I am not sure I feel comfortable making a recommendation for due to the wide variety of safety concerns present these days. Our children do not own tablets. However, we have many friends who have different brands of tablets that their kids are only allowed to use for travel. It would be a great gift option if the parents are okay with it and can recommend something specific!

What should I buy for my kids for a road trip?

Travel gifts for kids are great ideas for any birthday or holiday celebration. However, there are a select group of toys that make road trips a lot easier.

If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids busy in the car you should check out our post for interactive travel toys!

Any suggestions for travel gifts for kids?

If you have gifted or received travel gifts please let us know what you recommend! We love to add ideas from people who have actually tried them. Happy traveling!