Stuff We Like: For Traveling with Kids

Planning a family vacation? Got an antsy kid? Here, we've picked the best products to stash in your bag when traveling with children:

The Lifesaver

They call this the TrayKit(ages 3 and older; $39.95) we call it a lifesaver. This all-in-one kid’s carry-on functions as a backpack in which your child can stash her travel essentials (how grown-up she’ll feel being responsible for her own stuff!)—and onboard, it transforms into an extendable play surface that straps onto the plane’s tray table—genius! The portable pack has raised sides—so no more chasing that loose blue crayon down the aisle or annoying fellow passengers with every dropped action hero—as well as built-in pockets to keep items in place. Bonus: It works in a car, too.  

Baby's First Tablet

For younger tots who want to feel like a big kid, the B Kids ABC Touch Pad(ages 6 months and older; $25) is a good first tablet. With no delicate screen or electronics that will be damaged by getting chewed or dropped, this lightweight toy will keep your little one’s attention—plus help him learn letters and shapes and develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It even plays music, so he can chill out after takeoff with some quiet tunes (does not accommodate headphones).  

Apps, Books, and Music Galore

Baby is armed with her Touch Pad (see above) while mom and dad wield their high-priced tablets (read: hands off, kids). Don’t leave your 7-year-old in the digital dust! VTech’s new InnoTab 3 Learning App Tablet (ages 3-9; $99) has a multi-function touch screen that’s easy to use and nearly impossible to break, but most importantly, its wide array of apps and e-books are aimed squarely at your school-aged child. The 180-degree rotating camera and video recorder make this a great travel option, too. Apps, books, music, and games can be downloaded from VTech’s proprietary library, Learning Lodge.  

Language Learning On-the-Go

Want to mix a little educational fun into your vacation? Using the “entertainment immersion method,” Little Pim language DVDs(ages 1-6; $39.99 for Discovery Set, which includes three DVD or digital download videos, a plush toy, and postercover a particular theme (common activities such as waking up, brushing teeth, mealtime, and playtime) while introducing approximately 60 words and phrases in the foreign tongue of your choice. Traveling to China? Little Pim’s got you covered—and music CDs are available in each of the nine languages on offer, too, ensuring the process is fun and can be carried along with you on your travels. With patience and practice, your preschooler could learn enough to play tour guide on your next overseas trip—or at least order her own milk.