Top 5 Travel Accessories To Make Family Trips Easier (and Safer) by Air or Road

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Family travel isn’t just about reaching the destination — it’s about surviving the journey with your sanity intact and your kids safe and comfortable. Whether you’re boarding a plane or setting off on a long road trip, the right travel accessories can make a massive difference in both ease and safety.

From dealing with nap schedules and snack emergencies to managing temperature and entertainment, these accessories are designed to reduce stress and improve safety for parents and children alike. Here’s your go-to guide for must-have travel accessories — divided into two categories for flying and driving.

Top 5 Family Travel Accessories for Airplane Trips

1. Child Restraint for Plane

For your child’s safety, we recommend you use a FAA-approved car seat on the airplane. This will provide your child extra restraint in case of turbulence and a comfy (perhaps, familiar) space to sleep. We often recommend purchasing a lightweight car seat to travel with and leave your normal, probably heavier, car seat safe at home ready for your return.

Or use a CARES Harness (for on the plane) and RideSafer vest (for the car once you arrive). CARES harness is a lightweight, FAA-approved safety device that secures your child to their airplane seat using the plane’s seat belt. It’s designed for kids 1 and older (22–44 pounds) and is far more convenient than lugging a full-sized car seat onto the plane. Installation takes less than a minute, and it keeps your child secure during turbulence and landings. RideSafer travel vests are a portable, lightweight, wearable child restraint. It comes in 4 sizes and you can start using it with a 2-year-old.

2. Rolling Car Seat Carrier or Travel Backpack

And when you bring that traditional car seat, save yourself some angst and consider a car seat travel backpack or rolling cart. These options allow you to either wheel the seat through the airport like a suitcase or carry it comfortably on your back, leaving your hands free for boarding passes, diaper bags, or holding little hands. Bonus: If you strap your child into the seat on a wheeled dolly, it becomes a makeshift stroller!

3. Lightweight Travel Stroller

Airport travel involves miles of walking, unpredictable schedules, and tired legs — especially for toddlers. A compact, collapsible stroller like the GB Pockit or Babyzen YOYO makes navigating terminals and security a breeze. These models fold small enough to carry on or stow in overhead compartments, saving you from gate-check delays and potential damage.

4. Volume-Limited Headphones for Kids

Airplanes can be loud, and tiny passengers are especially sensitive to the drone of engines or cabin announcements. Kid-safe headphones with volume-limiting features protect hearing while enabling children to enjoy movies, audiobooks, or games on tablets. Look for models with soft ear padding and adjustable headbands for comfort on longer flights.

5. Take a Break from Screens Options

Have options available for when your child is ready for a break from the screen or when you’re ready for your child to take a break. Along with the drone of the airplane being loud, it tends to be a good white noise, helping put children to sleep. Be ready with a child-sized neck pillow. A soft, supportive neck pillow (sized for kids) or a travel set that includes a blanket and eye mask can make a huge difference in helping little ones rest on the plane. Choose memory foam or microbead options that won’t strain their necks. Some sets even come with a small stuffed animal or compact pouch for easy packing.

Or choose some screen-free entertainment secret weapons. Reusable sticker books (like those from Melissa & Doug) or magnetic activity tins provide endless quiet play without tiny pieces falling everywhere. They’re compact, light, and easy to pull out during boarding or delays. And remember good old coloring books can still be a hit.

Download our report: Common Car Seat Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Top 5 Family Travel Accessories for Road Trips

1. Temperature Control

One reason I love our Honda Pilot. It has a backseat temperature control and separate vents for all backseat passengers. But not all cars have that. My Mini Cooper has no air vents in the back so my back seat passengers are never quite as comfortable as I am driving. Now I would never road trip in my Mini with my family, way too small. But if you also have a car that has a lack of temperature control in the back, there are some things you can do to help your little ones feel cool (or the warmth, as the case may be).

There are such a thing as car fans that clip on or attach to the front headrests to fan the back seat passengers, But I’m not sure about how those hold up in a crash or if they could fall off an become a projectile or cause other issues. The Noggle may be a better choice to get more air flow in the back seat. It’s like a soft snake of comfortable air.

2. Backseat Organizer with Built-In Tablet Holder

Everything not secured in the car will become a projectile in a crash. But it’s a road trip, as much as it may be safer to not have anything extra in the car, it’s unrealistic. Keeping the back seat tidy isn’t just about cleanliness — it’s about safety and convenience. It might help at least some of those little items secured. A high-quality seatback organizer helps store snacks, toys, and water bottles within reach of little hands. Many organizers also come with clear touchscreen-compatible tablet pockets, allowing kids to watch movies hands-free. This keeps electronics secured (and off the floor) during sudden stops.

3. Window Sunshades or UV-Blocking Clings

Even with air conditioning, direct sunlight can make a child uncomfortable — or even dangerously overheated. Window shades help block UV rays and glare, making it easier for children to nap and stay cool. Options range from mesh pull-down versions to static cling decals that don’t interfere with window function. Some even come with fun kid-themed patterns to keep them entertained. Again thinking of projectiles, we don’t like the window shades that suction cup to the window and pull-down from plastic bars. Look for other options. Just having your windows tinted will help reduce some of the heat.

4. Portable Travel Potty or Folding Seat Reducer

Got a road trip coming up and your toddler is in the middle of potty training? Bathroom breaks don’t always line up with gas stations, and many rest areas can be less than child-friendly. That’s where a portable potty comes in handy. Models like the OXO Tot 2-in-1 fold flat and work with disposable liners, making them easy to clean up on the go. For kids who have outgrown diapers but aren’t quite confident in public restrooms, a foldable seat reducer adds both comfort and hygiene.

5. Keeping it Clean

Help keep the car clean along the way with a portable trash can. If it can attacch to something or be restrained some how, all the better to limit projectile potential. (I know I’m like a broken record. Just keep it in mind.) For those little snack container Cheerio spills, take along a portable hand vacuum.

Bonus Travel Accessories Worth Considering

Whether you’re flying or driving, a few extra tools can enhance your trip even more:

• Wipes. Really, need I say more? You’re a parent you get it. You always need to wipe off something.
• Motion-Sickness Relief Bands (for Kids) If your child gets car sick, acupressure wristbands can help relieve nausea naturally—without medication. They’re reusable, safe for most ages, and don’t interfere with harnesses or belts.
• Child ID Bracelets or Tags: These help in case your child gets separated in a busy airport or roadside attraction. Include your phone number and any medical needs.
• Snack Spinner Containers: Portion snacks in advance and reduce the mess with multi-compartment containers that keep things clean and easy to serve on the go.
• Travel White Noise Machine: Ideal for hotel rooms, RVs, or even during car naps to help drown out unfamiliar sounds and improve sleep quality.
• Refillable Water Bottles: Staying hydrated is key—especially in dry airplane cabins or on hot road trips. Look for spill-proof, easy-to-clean bottles your child can open themselves.

Final Thoughts: Prioritize Safety, Then Comfort

Every parent knows: If the kids are happy, everyone’s happier. But beyond that, keeping children safe — whether in a vehicle, in a plane seat, or just walking through the airport — is the highest priority. When choosing any travel accessories, make sure it doesn’t interfere with your child’s safety restraints or compromise their posture or positioning. Avoid aftermarket accessories not approved by car seat or vehicle manufacturers.

The right accessories don’t just keep your family safer — they also give you the flexibility to focus on enjoying your time together. And that’s what family travel should really be about.

By Amie Durocher, Creative Director at Safe Ride 4 Kids and certified CPS Tech since 2004

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