Finding the best travel gifts for kids can make a world of difference when planning your next family adventure. Whether you’re preparing for a long flight or a road trip – or celebrating a birthday or holiday, having the right travel essentials for kids helps make for a smoother journey for everyone.
From travel games to keepsake memory boxes, these gift ideas are perfect for encouraging creative play and exploration while on the go.
These are my personal recommendations – I have personally bought almost all of these and can vouch for their usefulness!
31+ Travel Gift Ideas for Kids
Adventures Memory Box – Personalized
I bought one of these personalized memory boxes for each of my kids, and it’s an ideal way to collect and display travel souvenirs that might otherwise get lost or tossed. It’s perfect for keeping travel mementos like lanyards, boarding passes, activity tickets, and brochures organized. We even use it to store foreign currency that we can’t exchange, making it a meaningful travel keepsake for any family trip.
Airplane Necklace
This dainty airplane necklace is one of my favorite travel-inspired gifts. It’s delicate and elegant, making it perfect for both kids and adults. With various lengths, chain styles, and colors, it’s a beautiful piece for any travel lover who enjoys adventuring in style. It’s a thoughtful choice for kids who want to carry a piece of their travel memories wherever they go.
Mission: CITY Books
We bought the Mission: Rome and Mission: London books for a recent trip, and they were fantastic for our 8 and 10-year-olds. These kid-friendly travel guides are packed with activities that encourage us to explore hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path spots. They’re super compact and easy to pack, making them a great addition to any family travel kit. They also have Florence, Paris, and other cities, so depending on where you’re headed, there may be a guide for you!
Travel Journals
Travel journals are among the best travel gifts for kids, allowing them to document their journeys. Here are two of our top picks:
- Favorite Travel Journal: This one has fun travel prompts and is not tied to a single destination, making it perfect for multi-stop trips. It’s a great way to keep kids engaged and helps them create lasting memories of their adventures.
- Colorful Travel Journal: This option is well-made and vibrant—definitely worth the investment. It’s an ideal travel accessory for kids who love to express their creativity while on the go.
Kindle E-readers
When it comes to family travel essentials, Kindle e-readers are a must. They offer long battery life, are lightweight, and let kids access a huge selection of books without taking up space in their luggage.
- Kids Kindle: Designed for young readers with a sturdy cover and parental controls.
- Regular Kindle: Great for older kids and adults who enjoy reading a variety of genres during travel.
Headphones for Travel
Keeping kids entertained while traveling is crucial, and these kid-friendly headphones make a big difference:
- Open Ear Headphones: These are perfect for staying aware of your surroundings while exploring a new city. My son used them during tours to stay engaged without missing out on the ambiance around him.
- Wireless Over-Ear Headphones: Great for noise-canceling during flights or long car rides. A fantastic gift for kids who love listening to audiobooks or music on the go.
Travel Activities and Games
Travel games and activities are key to keeping kids entertained on long journeys. Here are a few compact travel games that are perfect for road trips, plane rides, and hotel stays:
- Compact Puzzle Set: This set has a variety of brain teasers in a small, travel-friendly package. It’s great for both kids and adults who enjoy a challenge.
- Logic Workbooks for Gritty Kids: These are fantastic for keeping kids engaged and learning while traveling.
Water Wow Paint with Water Books
These reusable paint-with-water books are perfect for kids ages 2-5. They’re mess-free, interactive, and compact, making them a must-have travel toy for younger kids.
Proof Math Game
This math-based card game is both educational and fun, offering an adjustable difficulty level. It’s great for reinforcing math skills while still keeping kids entertained on the go. A perfect choice for family game night during vacation!
Bananagrams
This word game is ideal for group play and is super easy to pack. It combines learning with fun and is perfect for kids who love spelling and word puzzles.
Scratch Off Art Book
While we don’t have this exact one, we’ve used similar scratch-off art books on our travels, and they’re fantastic for encouraging creativity. They are compact, making them easy to include in a travel art kit for kids.
Logic Puzzle Books
These logic puzzle books are great for keeping older kids entertained during travel. They’re perfect for kids who enjoy problem-solving challenges:
- Logic Puzzle Book for Ages 10+: This one has kept our older son occupied during longer trips.
- General Puzzle Book: A great option for kids of all ages.
- Logic Book for Teens: A good choice for teens who enjoy a challenge.
Travel-Related Books
Books are another fantastic travel gift idea that can inspire kids to learn about new destinations and cultures:
- This Is Books Series: We own the Rome, New York, and London versions, and they’ve been favorites for our kids when they were ages 4-7.
- 50 States Maps: These large, beautiful maps are great for exploring geography together.
- How Things Work Series: These interactive books cover topics like airports and spaceships—a fantastic blend of learning and fun. My son loves the airports, spaceships, and train ones! The activity book that goes along with the airport book is definitely worth getting as well.
- Lonely Planet Travel Book: A great introduction to global cultures for kids with curious minds.
Trending Travel Gift Ideas for Kids
Fun Luggage Tags
Fun luggage tags make a great gift for kids, adding a touch of personality to their travel gear. These tags come in fun designs that kids will love, helping them spot their suitcases quickly. It’s a practical gift that adds a bit of flair to any trip, making it a perfect travel gift for kids of all ages.
Water Bottle with Fun Designs
A water bottle with fun designs is a practical travel gift that kids can use on all their adventures. It’s great for long journeys or road trips, making sure they stay hydrated while exploring new places. Look for good quality options that are easy for little hands to hold, making this a wonderful gift for younger children. I love this one because it comes with a popit, which makes is great for kids who need a little tactile sensation.
Portable High Chair
For families with younger kids, a portable high chair is a practical travel item that makes meals on the go much easier. It’s compact and easy to pack, making it a great option for road trips or visits to a theme park. It’s especially handy in hotel rooms or children’s museums where seating might be limited. A better way to ensure the whole family enjoys meal times together, wherever you go. I have so much trust in the Chicco brand (it’s the only kind of car seat or booster I have ever bought), and I know their high chairs are the same high quality.
Neck Pillow
A neck pillow is a great idea for kids who need a little extra comfort on long flights or car rides. Designed in fun designs and compact sizes, they are easy to pack and help ensure kids can rest comfortably during travel. This is a practical travel gift that kids will use time and time again. I have a BCOZZY for each of my kids and I’ve even stolen it from them on trips. It’s compact, comfortable, and works great.
World Map Puzzle
A world map puzzle is a fun gift that also helps kids learn about different countries and geography. It’s an engaging activity that turns downtime in a hotel room into a learning opportunity, making it perfect for kids of all ages. This great gift idea is also ideal for Christmas morning, offering an educational twist to their travel adventures. This one is 200 pieces, which I find is a perfect size for both my kids at ages 8 and 11.
Snorkel Set
For kids who love exploring the water, a snorkel set makes a great travel gift. It’s a fun way for kids to discover the underwater world, and it’s especially ideal for beach vacations or visits to different places with snorkeling opportunities. This practical gift helps create memories that will last a long time.
Board Games for Travel
Compact board games are perfect for family time during trips, whether you’re in a hotel room or waiting for your next adventure to begin. Choose travel-sized games that pack easily and offer fun activities for the whole family. These are great for reducing screen time and keeping everyone entertained. A fancy deck of cards is always a hit in my house, and has become a souvenir we bring home – also a great idea!
Save for Later
Choosing the best travel gifts for kids can make your next family vacation more fun, engaging, and memorable.
Whether it’s a travel journal to capture memories, educational games for long flights, or a personalized memory box to keep all their souvenirs, these gifts will help create lasting memories.
Make your family’s next trip even more special with these top travel gifts that are perfect for every young adventurer.
