Budget Travel Essentials for Families

Traveling with your kids is one of the best ways to make lifelong memories. It can be really intimidating to plan a trip with your kids when you’re on a strict budget. Don’t give up! There are tons of budget-friendly items that can make traveling with kids way easier! Here’s my list of budget travel essentials for families.

You can find the complete list of these items on my Amazon Storefront.

For Babies

Safety 1st Compact Stroller

This Safety 1st stroller includes an extra-large canopy for sun protection.

Traveling through the airport or a busy tourist spot with a stroller can be a nightmare. This Safety 1st Compact stroller makes the journey easier because of its super lightweight build. It weighs 15 pounds and folds up flat so it will fit in a suitcase-filled trunk! The best part? It costs less than $150!

Boba Wrap Baby Carrier

The Boba Wrap Baby Carrier comes in 12 unique colors.

The Boba Wrap is a beloved baby carrier. With over 22,000 positive reviews, this is an all-star product at a low cost. A baby carrier is a must-have for traveling because it allows you to keep your hands free for long periods of time.

Kiddy Care Diaper Bag Backpack

This diaper backpack comes in four colors.

Having a spacious and organized diaper bag is crucial when traveling with a baby. I love this Kiddy Care version because it has specific areas for bottles, diapers, wipes, and even a tissue pocket! There is even a waterproof compartment which is great for trips to the beach or pool!

For Road Trips

Car Back Seat Organizer

This pack of two car seat organizers is only $20.

We all know the power of the “mum arm.” The arm that has to stretch all the way to the backseat to pass out snacks, tissues, or toys. This car back seat organizer lets you prepare everything your kids will need a road trip before you leave the house. It even includes a clear pocket to hold tablets or phones with your kids’ favorite shows.

Munchkin Snack Catcher

There are multiple color options for the Snack Catcher.

The worst thing about a road trip is the absolute crumb disaster that occurs on the floor of your car afterward. The Munchkin Snack Catcher is a fan favorite because the lid is made of a flexible material that lets your toddler self-feed without opening the container and risking a snack explosion. This is an absolute must-buy before a road trip.

Mess-Free Stow and Go Colouring Set

This colouring set is one of my favorite budget travel essentials for families.

Road trips can be extremely boring for our kids. However, a lot of their toys are messy and have a ton of parts! This Stow & Go Studio holds three Color Wonder Colouring Books and lots of markers. I included it in my list of budget travel essentials for families because it allows kids to be creative without making a mess!

For Air Travel

Airplane Phone Stand

This airplane phone stand comes in a one or two pack.

Of course, it would be ideal if we could get each of our kids a personal tablet loaded up with all of their favorite shows, but that gets expensive quickly! This Airplane Phone stand allows you to display your phone easily and safely on a plane so that your kids can watch shows without needing an additional device. This is great for keeping little ones quiet on planes.

SkipHop Little Kid Backpack

This bag comes in strawberry, robot, rainbow, and rocket styles.

One of the most important aspects of traveling with kids is to help them learn to be responsible for their own things. These super fun backpacks from SkipHop encourage kids to pack their own things and hold on to their belongings throughout a trip. Your kids won’t want to leave these adorable bags behind!

Child Safety ID Bracelets

This is a set of 12 reusable bands.

As the world changes, it can be exceptionally scary to be away from home with our kids. These ID bracelets are one of my budget travel essentials for families because they can help you have a little peace of mind while traveling. You can write your information on these secure bands, so even children who are unable to remember your name or phone number can get help if they get separated.

If you’re planning air travel with your kids, make sure to check out my 5 Flying with Kids Essentials.

For Families that Travel Frequently

Travel Journal for Kids

The paperback version of this book only costs $10!

If you travel frequently, you’ll want to make sure your kids make amazing memories on their holidays! This book lets kids record the destinations they visit, what they learn on these trips, and even draw what they saw! This will be a great keepsake for children as they get older.

My First Luggage

This suitcase comes in Ladybug, Dinosaur, Monkey, Owl, and Turtle styles.

If your little one is old enough to keep up with their own suitcase, this Rockland “My First Luggage” is a great choice. It has enough room to pack their clothes and shoes and is easy to roll with four 360-degree spin wheels. Plus, its cute creature designs make it so much fun for kids to pack for trips!

Folding Travel Potty

This folding potty comes in both blue and pink.

Traveling with a kid in the middle of potty-training can be a little scary! If you don’t want to pack that full kids’ potty, this is a great option. It can stick on a hotel or airport toilet to turn any grown-up bathroom into a kid-friendly one! It’s a budget travel essential for families because it is easy-to-clean and can fold up and stow away in a carry-on bag.

Riemot Luggage Cup Holder

This cup holder comes in twelve colors.

This last one is for the mums who love to have a fun drink while traveling! It can be so frustrating to juggle luggage, kids, strollers, and a drink. This slide-on cupholder helps make it way easier. This slides on to the handle of your suitcase and holds two drinks. It’s flexible and durable so it will last for a ton of fun family vacations.


No matter your budget, you deserve to have a fantastic holiday with your family! I hope this list helps make your travels peaceful and easy. Enjoy the wonderful memories you make with your family!

xoxo Fil

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@filipajackson

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