Family Travel Hacks from a Mom of 5

Traveling parents know all about repurposing—using that straw from lunch to retrieve a lost toy down the side of the plane seat. Stuffing leftover napkins into the diaper bag for later. And of course, making the tray table on the seat in front of you into a parking lot for little vehicles with painter’s tape…anyone? Just me? Try it—your younger kid will be entertained for hours. 

For travel with kids, I prioritize products that can do double duty. The Keke Grab-and-Go Bag is top of my list for this. Picture a binder with removable pouches. Each pouch has a game or activity in it, such as scratch-off coloring cards or sewing with a shoelace. But these pouches also make excellent holders, all neatly lined up and secure in a little suitcase with handles, for a variety of things—those matchbox cars, hair supplies for little girls, and even overpriced airport candy that otherwise would spill everywhere.

Similarly, I love Bento boxes and other snack organizers as multipurpose tools. The Snackle Box (at Target) is my new obsession for kids’ snacks, but it can also double as a jewelry-making organizer for beads and string—if you’re brave enough to let your kid make jewelry on a long plane ride.