Our Favorite Family Travel Essentials We Actually Use

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✈️ Our Top Must-Have Items — General Packing & Organization

These are the travel essentials we use on almost every trip. Be sure to check out our vacation-specific must-haves below!

• Luggage with some built-in organization (all great options):

  • High-end: Tach Patented Connecting Luggage

  • Mid-tier: SwissGear Hardside Expandable Luggage

  • Budget Option: Amazon Basics Hardside Luggage​

  • Great carry-on option: Travel Backpack

• Soft Packing cubes:

  • Regular packing cubes: 8-set Packing Cube/Organizers

  • Compression packing cubes: 10 Set Compression Packing Cubes

• Hard Shell Packing Cubes (protection for bottles/liquid products):

  • Clear Hard Shell Travel Organizers

• Portable Multi-device charger (use at home and on-the-go):

  • First Choice: Anker Prime Foldable Charger​

  • Mid-tier: Belkin foldable charger

  • Budget Option: 3-in-1 foldable charging station

• Portable Battery Charger with cable:

  • Option with cable: Belkin portable charger

  • Option without cable: Fast Charging Portable Charger

  • MagSafe Version: Anker battery charger

• Luggage trackers (essential - may save your vacation):

  • Apple AirTag​

  • Life360 Tile

• Cable/outlet organizer:

  • Electronic Organizer Tech Pouch​

• Passport organizer:

  • Family passport organizer - RFID Blocking

• Luggage Tags (additional protection if lost):

  • Multi-pack Luggage tags for checked luggage

• Luggage wraps (keeps zippers closed, protects luggage and makes it easy to find):

  • Suitcase covers basic option​

  • Suitcase covers customizable option

• Reusable zip-lock bags (leakproof bags for hygiene products):

  • Reusable leakproof storage bags​

• Pill organizer:

  • Magnetic pill organizer

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❤️Travel Safety Essentials We Never Skip

• Mini travel first aid kit

• Small Thermometer

• Carbon monoxide detector (peace of mind - know your family is safe)

• Emergency contact card kids (always a good idea - kids wander)

• Small Whistle for kids (camping, hikes, nature exploration, boating, etc)

• Flash light

• Travel document storage for extra copies

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💄 Beauty & Personal Care

• TSA Approved Refillable Travel Containers

  • 8 Pack Travel Containers

  • 18 Pack Travel Containers​

• Hanging Toiletry Bag (Sometimes included with packing cube sets)​

  • Hanging Toiletry Bag

• Travel Mirrors

  • Rechargeable compact mirror with lights​

  • Pocket mirror with lights

• Jewelry Travel Organizers

  • Full Size Jewelry Travel Organizer

  • Mini organizer

• Travel Perfumes (We can't get enough of!)

  • Nest Discovery Set 

  • Riddle Oil Original Scent Roll-On 

• Makeup & Beauty Must - Haves

  • FacialRX™ Brightening Eye Masks (look rested even when you're not)

  • Facial Towelettes (Easily remove makeup)

• Tinted Sunscreen Face and Body

  • This ALL GOOD sunscreen has a nice tint that helps hide blemishes and imperfections - love it! Let it dry before dressing to avoid transfer. 

• Silk Sleep Mask

 

🚢 Cruise Must-Haves

• Magnetic hooks (organizing must-have)

  • 12 pack magnetic hooks​

  • 5 pack double option

• Over-door organizer (check cruise lines specifications)

  • Over the door cruise organizer​

  • Smaller 2 pack version

• Lanyards

• Waterproof phone pouch

• Multi-device cruise-approved charger (check cruise line specifications)

• Travel outlet adapter (check cruise line specifications)

• Pool/beach bag

• Towel holders (keep towels from blowing away and reserve your chair)​

  • Towel bands

  • Towel clips

• Cruise specific luggage tags (check cruise line specifics)

• Anti Chafe Gel (works!)

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🎢 Disney & Theme Park Days

• Crossbody bags (an absolute must - each member of our family has one)

  • Small Sling back pack

  • Nike Crossbody bag

  • Small everywhere belt bag

  • Disney themed belt bag

  • Disney themed crossbody backpack

  • Water bottle carrier

• Portable phone charger

  • Compact portable charger

  • Magsafe version

• Rain ponchos

  • Adult size family pack

  • Kid size

• Comfortable footwear

  • Comfort sneakers

  • Recovery resort day slides

• Refillable/packable water pouches OR

• Water bottle cross body bag carrier (genius)

• Autograph book

• Pool toys

• Mickey & Miney hand sanitizer

• Sunscreen stick (on the go touch ups)

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☀️ Beach & Resort Essentials

• Reef and family safe mineral sunscreen

  • Native Reef Safe Sunscreen Lotion ​

  • Native Sunscreen Spray

• Natural aloe gel for sunburn

• Waterproof phone pouch

• Waterproof portable speaker

• Packable beach bag

• Sun hats

  • Wide brim hat

  • Wide brim hat with ponytail hole

• Portable Beach Shade

  • ​Small canopy
  • Portable beach Tent
  • Large canopy

• Sand-free beach blanket/towels

  • Sand free beach towels

  • Sand free beach blanket

• Beach chair (A must if you can transport - if not rent them if your resort doesn't offer them)

• Beach kites

• Jellyfish sting kit

• Red flashlight (for areas with sea turtles nesting)

• Anti Chafe Gel (works!)

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Road Trips

• Backseat organizer (must have!)

  • 2 pack organizer

  • Larger option with tray

• Tablet holder - shared movie viewing

• Kids head phones

• Travel pillow/blanket

• Travel snack containers

• Lap tray activity boards

  • Pillow lap tray

  • Tray with stand

• Vomit bags (because when you have kids...)

  • Disposable vomit bags

• Car trash can

• Storage/organization containers

• Road trip game

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