Spring Break Essentials for Families
My family loves to travel. We fancy ourselves a pack of experts, probably because we've been traveling since my boys were just months old. In fact, we took a road trip from New York City to Miami when my first son was just 4 months old, and since then we've added long-haul flights to Hawaii, three trips to Disney, cross-country train trips, several road trips, and more than a few staycations to the mix.
As a mom of two young boys, I know how hard traveling with kids can be. So hard in fact, that some times it doesn't really feel like a vacation for us at all. But I do know that the right stuff makes all the difference.
Gear such as compact strollers and fun travel games can turn the travel part of your vacation into something that's actually pleasant. Take a look at the following spring break essentials for every type of trip.
For Your Trip to Disney
If you're traveling to Disney World or Disneyland this spring break, firstly, Godspeed. Secondly, you can take comfort in knowing that if you are staying on Disney property, many essentials are provided for you such as a travel crib, and you can rent a stroller, making the list of things you need to bring with you a bit more minimal.
A stroller is a must for navigating Disney, and the more compact the better. Did you know that wagons are actually banned in Disney parks? You might aw well opt for something small and easy to push. This compact stroller from Ergobaby features a near-flat reclining seat and a long canopy to keep your child safe from the sun.
Oh, and it can fit in the overhead bin, making it a must-have for planes!
Disney can feel like a museum of strollers in some places. Because you must park your stroller before heading on rides, investing in a lock ensures it will be there when you get out. And don't get me wrong — I'm not suggesting you worry about it getting stolen, but there are many, many strollers, and this helps prevent the chances of there being a mix-up.
If you're traveling to Orlando, Florida, in the spring, chances are it might rain while you're there. Instead of shelling out big bucks for ponchos at the park, these packable ponchos are affordable and easy to pack. They are big enough to cover someone wearing a backpack.
Your kids are going to touch everything, so rather than running to the restroom to wash up every few minutes, these single-pack, antibacterial wipes are an effective alternative. They are sensitive enough for kids and strong enough to keep their hands germ-free for a little while.
The long days at Disney not only require you to be fully charged but your electronics too. From snapping endless photos to navigating the parks to securing a spot on the virtual queue, having a fully charged phone is essential. These slim portable chargers will fit in a day bag and can charge two devices at the same time, and right now it's on sale for $20 (80% off)!
For Your Road Trip
There's a lot of convenience that comes with traveling by car. There are no restrictions such as baggage weight or limitations on liquids. Plus, you can stop and go when you need to for potty breaks, pumping breaks, a snack, and anything else that may inevitably come up.
On road trips, games are essential to help pass the time, and this one by Skillmatics is super fun. It's a new take on the classic game 20 Questions and is fun for the whole family to play in the car or once you arrive at your destination.
Reusable sandwich bags like this four-pack set made by Stasher are a lifesaver on the road. From storing food to preventing spills, these bags have tons of uses (and reuses). They can be used in a microwave and cleaned in a dishwasher.
If your car is anything like mine, it's a total mess and gets especially bad during road trips. This car trash bag is a lifesaver and helps to keep the car clean in-between stops. It's leakproof and has three exterior pockets for storage. We love it so much that we bought two.
This ingenious product helps keep car clutter at bay and gives your kids a bit of autonomy over their stuff. Store pillows, blankets, and toys up there that kids can easily access without having to ask you to get it for them.
Rather than have your kids glued to their tablets or phones, this book encourages them to take in the world around them and to document it. It's filled with stickers, prompts, and so much more, and it's the perfect keepsake to help everyone remember the trip.
For Your Island Getaway
If you're lucky enough to venture to a tropical destination this spring break, you're going to want to make sure that nothing destroys your peace. Essentials such as sunblock, a neck pillow, and the perfect carry-on bag can make all the difference.
If you are getting on a plane, you need a carry-on bag that has room for snacks, a change of clothes, and other important things you can't check, such as medicine.
The Luka Duffel from Calpak is seriously lightweight so you can pack it to the brim with everything your family needs. It has a separate pocket for shoes and several interior pockets to keep everything organized. in addition, the exterior fabric is easy to keep clean.
A feature I love is the long shoulder strap that doesn't slip and the cross-body strap to help keep stay hands-free.
If you'll be traveling somewhere where there is a time change, that can be pretty rough on little ones. You'll want to ensure their sleep stays as consistent as possible. The SlumberPod helps keep light out so your little one can get a good night's sleep. It goes right over your baby's crib or pack and play and even has a baby monitor pouch. It's portable and easy to set up and is totally worth the investment so everyone can enjoy vacation.
Sunscreen is a must when you are heading to a tropical location, but packing and applying it can be tricky when kids are in the mix. Luckily, this brush-on sunblock solves both of those problems. It provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection and is easy to apply without any greasy residue.
We don't doubt that you would pack sun hats for your kids, but what about you? Moms deserve a stylish sun hat and an equally stylish way to carry it. We love this tote that gives us a perfect place to store a hat with out damaging it. Plus, it has tons of room for everyone's beach essentials.
If you get a chance to rest while on the plane, make sure you can do so comfortably. This neck pillow attaches to the back of your seat to ensure it stays in place. It also features a washable cover and is made from memory foam.
For Your Camping Trip
My family has never been camping, so for this part I enlisted the help of several of my friends who have. Turns out there are plenty of ways to make camping an enjoyable and relaxing experience, and many of the friends I talked to said they love taking camping trips with their family as a way to reconnect. (See ya cell phones.) The items that follow are essential for staying safe, dry, and having fun.
This portable speaker is effective because it connects wirelessly through Bluetooth to your phone or smart device. It's water resistant so no need to worry about the elements, and we love that it comes in a few bright colors to keep it from getting forgotten at the campsite.
This stroller allows you stroll, jog, and bike with your kids all with one seat that connects to various adapters. The seat also works on its own to provide your child with a comfortable and safe place to sit while camping.
Several friends told me bringing a portable hammock on a camping trip does a few things: It provides a fun place to sit, and it gets your stuff off the ground. This hammock has nearly 40,000 five-star reviews on amazon from shoppers who say it's "sturdy" and "super comfy and easy to transport."
This cooler can keep food and drinks cool for up to 48 hours and turns into a picnic table. It also comes with two stools and has four cupholders on the table's surface. When not in use, it folds down to a compact size and has wheels and a handle for easy transport.
If I'm being honest, one of the things that scares me the most about camping is not having the energy for all the camping things. This Stanley Pour Over coffee set is easy to use. Just add your coffee grinds over the stainless steel filter, pour hot water, and you're good to go.
For Your Staycation at Home
Just because you aren't going away this spring break doesn't mean you and your family can't have the best time ever. Explore your town, watch movies and shows, paint, craft, rest, and more. This week is exactly what YOU make of it!
Bring the outdoors in with this awesome fort-building kit. It features everything your kids need to make the most epic forts. My kids love this glow-in-the-dark version. As a plus for parents, it doesn't require any furniture so you're off the hook there.
Get to know your kids and vice versa with this popular board game. It provides a fun mix of question cards and challenge cards to promote working together and sparking some conversation and laughs as you play.
Whether you're heading to the park or your own back yard, packing a picnic lunch can make the entire day feel special. Get the whole family involved in preparing lunch, snacks, and drinks, and then sit outside and enjoy nature together.
With the kids home all week, that's a lot of meals to prepare. Treat yourself and the family by getting some meals and groceries delivered. Hungryroot not only provides all the ingredients you need to make their delicious recipes but also a la carte groceries as well, so you can keep your fridge and pantry well-stocked this week.
If the reason you're opting for a staycation is because you've got an infant at home, then this Solly Baby Wrap Carrier is a great choice to make the week (and weeks after) feel comfortable and supported. This wrap makes it easy to carry your baby around the house and provides a custom fit while promoting bonding. It leaves you hands-free and is made from soft, eco-friendly fabric.