Small Miles

The Traveling Parent’s Holiday Wish List

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It’s a week and a half until Christmas, but lo! There’s still time to get and give the perfect gifts for your favorite traveling parent (who also might be yourself). We’ve compiled a list to make your life easier when you travel with kids. Sure, we could put together a list of things to entertain your child on the airplane, but sometimes you have to take care of yourself first before you can care for others. If you’re getting ready to get going, grab this gear and feel the holiday cheer.

Kick This Day in Its Sunshiny Ass Socks

You are a parent taking small children on an airplane. You deserve a medal – and fun, comfortable socks. There’s nothing like showing these off from Blue Q at airport security to let everyone know that you’re not messing around.

Bobeau One-Button Fleece Wrap Cardigan

This multi-occasion wrap dresses up even the plainest plane outfits, and it’s universally flattering. It also serves as a handy cover up for nursing moms.

FIG Clothing Women’s Aar Jacket

The last thing you want is to be flinging extra jackets around the overhead bin when you’re trying to wrangle an overtired baby.  I’m in love with this new packable jacket from FIG. It has a built-in passport pocket, and the whole jacket stuffs down into a comfortable travel pillow.

Balthazar & Rose PRODUCT(RED) Fouta

This multi-use Tunisian towel from Balthazar & Rose can be a scarf, table cloth, cozy baby blanket, or beach cover-up. It’s both super thin and quick-drying, while managing to be stylish at the same time.

ECCO Aimee Sport Slip On Sneakers

Who has time for laces? When you’re wearing a baby, the last thing you want to do is bend over and tie your shoes. Slip these sneakers from ECCO on, and you’re ready to hit the museum or race through the terminal.

Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag

Doesn’t it just crush your spirit a little bit every time you throw away a sandwich bag? Let 2018 be the year you carry your snacks sustainably with these reusable bags. Bonus: they’re a great way to keep gross trash from sullying the rest of your carry-on bag.

Hibaby Wet Dry Bag

Duh, you’re going to need to pack an extra outfit because it’s a matter of when not if your child will spill something on you. Get a wet bag for yourself and stash your spare clothes in it until you need to make a quick change.

Lug Clearview Envelopes

Is it fun to rile through your backpack looking for your hair tie? Is it? No, it’s not. These Lug Envelopes give your life less pointless mysteries to solve as you enter hour nine of international travel.

LeSportsac Deluxe Everyday Bag

I refer to my Deluxe Everyday bag as my Command Satchel because it makes me feel like a boss, and I have everything at hand that I need when I’m traveling. A diaper change mat fits easily in one of the main pockets, leaving the other two for your personal affects. There’s no second guessing which purse to bring with you on your trip: It’s this one.

Patagonia Black Hole Pack

Purpose-built diaper bags are fine when you’re staying near home, but they won’t do when space is at a premium. This wonder bag has a roomy main pack with space enough to keep both your laptop and their favorite snacks handy.

UT Wire Pocket Earphone Case

If you’re lucky, your kids might fall asleep early enough for you to watch a movie. If you’re all crammed into the same hotel room, you’re going to want your headphones handy. Pop open this snappy case and you’ll be binge watching in no time.

Zero Grid Travel Wallet & Family Passport Holder

Seriously, why don’t you have this already? No more shuffling passports at customs, please.

Uni-Ball Vision Elite Airplane Safe Pens

The last thing you need is a leaky pen when you’re trying to deal with a leaky diaper. Let these colorful pens inspire you to doodle in the margins of your packing list.

Llamas Journal

Purpose-built travel journals that encourage you to document your adventures don’t quite fit when you might have to spend three days managing a jet lagged toddler in between visits to UNESCO Heritage Sites. Even if you jot down, “I did it” in this cute journal once a day, that will be adventure enough.

JAM Paper Plastic Envelope

Boarding passes, birth certificates, lists, tickets, maps… These colorful envelopes will bring order to your travel papers.

Hawatour Portable Clothes Line

Something’s going to get wet, so you might as well be ready to drip dry on the fly. This little clothes line is one of the least complicated choices since life is complicated enough.

Dot & Dot Medium Packing Cubes

There’s something super satisfying about a well-organized suitcase. Tidy up your clothes in this neat packing cubes. Future you will thank past you for making things so easy to find when you get to your destination.

Luggage Free

What if I told you that you did’t have to wait at baggage claim for your luggage? With Luggage Free, you can send your suitcase on its own journey back home or to your destination. One less thing to lug? Very merry indeed.

Airbnb Gift Card

The best set up for traveling families is often staying someone else’s home. It’s comforting to tuck your kids into actual beds at night before you head to a separate room to decompress. Airbnb’s worldwide options make this a useful gift card choice.