Have you found yourself traveling here there and everywhere this summer? Or maybe you have an upcoming trip and are feeling overwhelmed with the amount of packing you have to do. I've been there, a lot. We've been on the road a good bit lately and wanted to share my 12 go-to travel items regardless of where we go or the method of transportation (flying, driving, biking, wishing - haha).
When you're reading this, you'll see I left out items like - my ID, toiletries, clothes, etc. I'm taking those as a given for the purpose of this sharing, these are a few items that I have found really helpful when traveling and wanted to share with you!
Here they are, in no particular order, my tried and true travel items:
A dependable bag or suitcase.
When I’m flying, I always travel with a carry-on/rollaboard suitcase with 4 wheels. There are so many different options out there, so go with what works for you! I’ve had an older version of this Samsonite for 8ish years and it’s held up great. I just ordered a Delsey hardshell carry-on (on MAJOR sale) and will be certain to report back.
When we’re driving, I usually opt for a flexible tote/duffel bag that's easy to maneuver (or cram with things). I have a cloth Vera Bradley large duffel bag that my sister-in-law gave me for being in her wedding and that has been one of my go-to’s (thanks Kayla!!). It’s durable, foldable, and easy to carry! I recently purchased this 80L duffel for all the girls' gear and it’s wonderful! It has so much space, super lightweight, and folds into itself when you're not using it.
LL Bean Bag: Speaking of bags, this is my go-to bag for EVERYTHING. It’s huge, waterproof, has handles and a shoulder strap, and a great bag to use for the beach, for dirty laundry (on our way home), and just a catch all. I have the XL camo style.
Packing cubes: I use these primarily to pack my kids. Each gets their own cube and then I put them all together in one bag. It makes it easy to unpack and make them easily accessible when we arrive at our destination.
Flexible 5-Pack: I have had these for years and love that they can be maneuvered around in bags and folded down easily.
Firm 6-Pack: These compression packing cubes are very sturdy and great to be able to lift and set anywhere without losing their structure. Definitely more of an investment, but worth it if you prefer the stability.
Mesh zipper pouches: These are my holy grail and I used for EVERYTHING (not just for travel). Here are just a few of my uses: snacks, sunscreen, crayons/markers, diapers/wipes, tools, wet/dry clothes, and SO.MUCH.MORE!
Water bottle: This doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be with me. I feel like I drink more water when it’s cold, so I love my Brumate Toddy XL because it keeps my beverages cold (or hot) and is 100% leakproof. My one caveat is that because it’s leakproof, the lid can be difficult to unscrew at times, but I’ve mastered it - so you can too!
A good pillow: Anywhere we drive, I always grab my pillow. You never know what you’ll get, so I like to play it safe. It also comes in clutch when we're driving somewhere because I use it in the car to sit on or rest my little eye’s when I’m not driving and the kids are quiet.
Toiletry bag: I love how this can hold everything I need for both myself and the girls. It’s easy to hang up in the bathroom wherever I’m traveling. The only downside is that it’s pretty large, so if you’re only packing a carry on suitcase, it takes up a lot of space. In those situations, I usually grab one of my free toiletry bags I’ve received with a makeup purchase or something like this.
Ziplock bags: Both gallon and quart size. These have saved me more times than I’d like to share. You never know when you’re going to need one! I’ve used them to put leftover snacks, ice for a cooler, toiletries on a flight, and so much more!
Portable phone charger: You never know when you’re going to need to charge up - whether it be your phone, tablet, headphones, anything. I love this charger because it has built in plugs for so many devices and you don’t have to worry about carrying around an extra cord. Hint: these frequently go on sale, so don’t pay full price.
SlumberPod: If you have littles, the SlumberPod is my most favorite travel item of all time! It’s like a breathable blackout tent you put over their pack n’ play. To me, it’s so much more than that! It allows them to sleep soundly in the same room as us. There are other similar items out there, but I love that this has a spot for your monitor to be able to see in.
Sound machine: We are big fan/white noise people when we sleep, so no matter where we go or what we’re doing, we bring this little sound machine around. We use it in the car during road trips when the baby naps, as her sound machine when she's sleeping, and so much more!
Jewelry holder: I like to always have a few accessories wherever I go and have found this jewelry organizer has made it easy to see what I brought while also keeping the items protected.
Blanket/oversized scarf: Anytime I travel on a plane, I grab an oversized scarf. Don't knock it until you try it! I use this as a blanket, something I can easily toss over my shoulders when I’m cold, and has even been a wrap/shawl when I'm in a cold office or going to a wedding.
What are YOUR favorite travel items? Let me know in the comments below!