While travelling with children requires more gear (and patience, lots of it) than travelling alone, some items and technology have made going on trips or vacations with them a little easier-ish. Who would have thunk that these tiny humans needed so much when leaving home?
The planning and preparation for travelling with kids are far more extensive than planning a solo trip. This is even more so for infants because while toddlers eat more, they need less. To ensure a stress-free and smooth travelling experience, you’ll want to have everything that’s necessary handy, so here are some of the things you should consider.
1. Trunki
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If you don’t own one, there are chances you’ve seen the Trunki, a children’s travel bag, at the airport at some point. This suitcase is more than just for storing essentials! It doubles as a seat for the kids when they’re tired, and all the parent has to do is pull it along!
With a pretty hefty capacity, you can fit the children’s clothes, water bottles, snacks, books, toys; you name it! It’s also perfectly sized for storing under a plane seat or an overhead locker.
Find it on Shopee!
2. JetKids BedBox by Stokke
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A travel suitcase that can be pulled, rode on, and whipped up into a flatbed suited for any aircraft! Talk about a genius invention! But besides using it on the plane, you can also use it for long train rides, bus rides, or even car rides!
This one is an absolute must when it comes to long haul travelling. Also, kids can often get bored pretty quickly, so pulling this luggage around or riding around on it will add a fun element to their travelling time.
3. Bugaboo Ant Stroller
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Strollers can often be bulky, well, the durable ones anyway. But if you’re looking for something small, light, and strong without compromising on style, the Bugaboo Ant is your best bet. Once folded, this stroller is compact enough to squeeze into the overhead cabin!
Thanks to its high weight limit and extendable seat, it accommodates babies from birth to kids in preschool years. Its unique suitcase-like pull makes it portable and easy to lug around.
Get it from Lazada or Bebehaus
4. JBL JR310BT headphones
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Are you looking for a simple and colourful pair of headphones for your kids? The JBL JR310BT could be them, and they’re completely wireless. The ultra-portable JR310BT headphones weigh only 105 grams and are engineered to never exceed 85 decibels, making them safe for your children’s ears. But they don’t compromise on sound!
These bad boys can play music for up to 30 hours without recharging. Most importantly, however, the lack of an audio connector means you won’t use the headphones if the battery runs out. So, be sure to charge the headphones before your trip!
5. Baby wipes
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Baby wipes are a must-have for most families with small children, and they tend to stick around long after the children have outgrown their diapers, owing to their versatility. Baby wipes are useful to clean up various messes that require a quick clean up, from sticky fingers and dirty faces to spilt food.
If your children are still in diapers, you’ll need a lot of wipes, and you’ll want to make sure your diaper bag is equipped with everything. Even if your children are no longer in diapers, grab a pack of wipes to bring with you. When your child comes up to you covered in a sticky material that you don’t want to recognise, you’ll be pleased you did.
6. Q12 Kids Smart Watch
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The Q12 Kids Smart Watch is a wearable GPS tracker that functions as a fun smartwatch and phone. The watch can serve as a standalone phone for your kid to call you and tell you where they are. Its high-polymerised custom battery features faster charging and higher performance, eliminating the trouble of charging every day.
Get it from Shopee
7. Sauces by HaruPlate
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Every parent knows that kids are always hungry, especially when it’s not mealtime, and they are usually hungry for snacks. So, it goes without saying to pack snacks in your backpack! But what you should also include in your luggage if you’re travelling with young ones are some ready-made sauces.
HaruPlate recently launched their MY HaruPlate Masak-Masak Bundle in Malaysia. This limited edition cooking kit features a trio of HaruPlate’s bestsellers — the legendary Tomato Sambal, crowd-favourite Sweet & Sour Sauce, and classic Pumpkin & Corn Curry – all-natural cooking sauces made from 11 different kinds of whole fruits and vegetables, with no added salt, sugar, or artificial preservatives.
They also have different jam flavours to choose from. Great for whipping up a nutritious meal for kids if you’re travelling and staying somewhere with a basic kitchen.
8. First aid kit
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Preparing a first aid box ahead of time will save you plenty of stress if one of your children gets a blister or scrapes their knee on vacation. Add a few different-sized bandages, some gauze, antibiotic ointment, and a children’s pain killer to the mix. You never know what situations you might encounter when travelling, and it’s better to be prepared.
9. Reusable water bottles
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When travelling, everyone gets thirsty, and you don’t want to fill up on juices or carbonated drinks. Not only are they pricy, but they’re also high in sugar, which will leave everyone feeling sick to their stomachs after some time. Instead, carry a reusable water bottle for each family member. It’s environmentally friendly, healthy for the body, and will keep the whole family hydrated on the go.
10. Hand sanitiser
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Kids are constantly touching and picking up items that aren’t exactly clean, especially when you’re out exploring new places. Even more so, we should always carry a little bottle of hand sanitiser or two during these pandemic times. A hand sanitiser can also double up as an antiseptic to clean up minor wounds and scratches in a crisis.
Get it on Shopee
When travelling with little ones, don’t overwhelm yourself with what could go wrong. With adequate preparation time and a few simple recommendations, you can ensure smooth sailing ahead. Here’s to happy, stress-free travels!
