As a family who travel and move around a fair bit, I always prefer travel gifts for kids over regular toys as I know we will get a lot of use out of them.
Whilst most gifts are thoughtful and generous, I’m not a fan of kids’ toys that have a two minute novelty span, only to be thrown into the depths of the toy box never to be used again. Are you the same? Well if you’re looking for the perfect travel gift for kids, you’ve come to the right place.
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I’ve reached out to top family travel bloggers for their absolute best travel gift ideas for kids that are both practical and affordable, as well as thoughtful.
There are some brilliant ideas here, including some I’d not even thought of! So I’m sure it will bring some inspiration to you, even if you feel like your child has everything.
For very little ones, you may want to check out this guide: Best baby and toddler travel toys.
And if you’re needing inspiration on travel gifts for parents…
f you’re looking for that perfect travel gift for a parent then we’ve compiled some thoughtful ideas for you. Here we focus on travel gifts for mums and dads that are useful for them, not their kids, because trust us, most travel items they buy are for their kids.
1. Kids travel backpack
- For children from 8 years with a height of 110 to 168 cm
- Backpack grows with you thanks to the VariQuick back length adjustment system
- Optimal load transfer through the compact hip fins
- Attachment for hydration system (deuter Streamer 3.0 – not included!)
- Variable fastening options with material loops in various positions
If you are serious about getting off the beaten track and seeing the world with your kids, then they really need to have their own kids travel backpack (especially if they are aged 7+).
We’ve tried a few and down to cost and durability, the Deuter Fox 30L gets our vote as the best one.
It ticks all the criteria – size, longevity, comfort, adjustable straps, different compartments. I can see the boys used them up to the age of 15 as the back straps are adjustable for height.
Plus, we’ve also used it as carryon for AirAsia and Firefly to/from Borneo, easyJet to Billund and from Milan, and also for Ryanair to Essaouira, Morocco (we just ensure the top compartment isn’t too full).
2. Kindle Kids for reading
- Encourage reading: Kids read on Kindle for an hour a day, on average, not because anybody made them.
- 1-year Kids+ subscription included: Thousands of books for ages 3 to 12, with monthly renewal after 1 year…
- Distraction-free: Just read with no apps, videos, games or notifications to pull kids away from their books.
- Reads like paper, not a screen: Glare-free even in bright sunlight, so kids can read on the porch, in the car…
- 6 weeks of battery life: A single charge lasts for weeks, so the charger stays in the drawer.
When you’re backpacking with kids, bouncing from place to place, it’s really not ideal carrying a pile of books, especially if you’re travelling long-term.
The Amazon Kids Kindle is an invaluable space-saving device for kids to read. I particularly love it as it’s a break from ‘screen time’ (there are no apps and games, it’s just a reading device) and the back light means they don’t need a light on to read. This is one of our top tips for packing light.
The battery life is incredible, and it includes a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ (a subscription designed for children aged 3–12 to have unlimited access to over a thousand books and hundreds of audiobooks).
3. Kids tablet or iPad
- Everything in one box: An Amazon Kids Tablet, a 1-year Kids+ subscription and a kid-proof bumper.
- A tablet, not a toy: A fast Android tablet with a sharp, high-resolution display. Built to last for years of…
- A 1-year Kids+ subscription included: Ad-free books, videos, games and apps carefully chosen for kids like…
- Access to Google Play Store: Parents can supplement Kids+ with additional apps from the Google Play Store as…
- Kids get creative: With Kids+ exclusive app Art Studio, kids generate unique images and draw right on top of…
My kids always travel with their iPads/tablets and Alannah with her kindle. Alannah is a avid reader and the kindle means we can down load as many books as she likes and we don’t have carry multiple heavy books.
iPads/tablets are very handy, you can download movies for flights, books to read, a camera (if you trust them with it while out and about) and best of all they can keep in touch with family and friends while on the road. There are a number of educational apps that can be downloaded to all both android and iOS.
Sally, our3kidsvtheworld.com
4. Travel Journal
Check out our guide to Kids Travel Journals
- New Store Stock
Our two love using their kids travel journals when we travel. We’ve always talked about our travels at the end of each day as we love finding out what made an impression on them.
Last year, when our kids were six and four, we took them on a self-drive safari to Namibia and decided it would be a great time to start journaling. We all wrote them together while we sat by the campfire. It was a great way to bond and I loved the fact that we came home with their memories preserved. I’m excited to do this more with them as they get older.
Emma, Wanderlust and Wet Wipes
5. Little Passports
One of my favourite travel gift ideas for kids is a Little Passports World Edition subscription box. This monthly gift opens kids’ eyes to the world and teaches them about other countries and cultures, inspiring their wanderlust for travel.
Fit for kids ages 6-10 years old, the first mailing includes your “kit”, with a little blue suitcase, world map, passport, and items related to your first country.
My kids loved meeting their new “pen pals” Sam and Sofia each month with the letter they received, activity pack, and treasure from each country. Each month thereafter, they receive a packet focusing on a new country.
It is a great educational gift for kids that keeps going long after they open that first packet. It also supports social studies and geography learning for any homeschooling curriculum.
Keri, Bon Voyage With Kids
6. Scratch Map
- DELUXE DESIGN. Atlas & Green's scratch off world map poster, printed on thick gloss black paper with gold…
- BONUS UK MAP. Explore locally with the bonus A4 UK scratch off map, including Ireland too! Premium quality &…
- IN THE BOX. Everything you need to keep your world scratch off map pristine – Scratching pick, mini…
- CAPTURE MEMORIES. Unique travel journal & world map travel gifts – the coolest way to track your world tour.…
- LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD. The scratch off poster set makes learning fun & tests geography knowledge of countries…
For the child who loves to travel, a scratch map is a perfect gift for them to keep track of all the places they have visited. Our daughter has one in her bedroom and loves coming back from a trip and scratching it off.
It’s a great talking point for your child too when their friends come to visit. The child can talk to their friends about the wonderful adventures they have had around the world. It’s also a great way for a child to learn about the different countries in the world and where they are positioned.
Melissa, Queensland Camping
7. Walkie Talkies
- 【RECHARGEABLE LI-ION BATTERY & LONG STANDBY】Our Walkie Talkie equipped with built-in rechargeable 1200mAh…
- 【MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS AND EASY TO USE】The 3 pack walkie talkie is very easy to use and designed for kids girls…
- 【SUPPORT ANY SAME CHANNEL RADIO】NXGKET walkie talkie has 16 channels and 121 interference eliminator codes…
- 【LONG RANGE & CLEARER SOUND】Our Walkie talkies can reach 5km in open areas such as rural areas, suburbs or…
- 【BEST TOYS FOR KIDS OUTDOOR GAME】Flashlight makes our walkie talkie the best choice for outdoor play. The…
Walkies talkies are a super fun way for kids to communicate when they travel. Whether it’s walking through an airport, going on a hike, or having fun in a hotel room or Airbnb, walkie talkies let kids have fun.
Walkie talkies are great for kids ages 3 and above, as long as they have hand coordination and can understand the basics of how to press a button to talk. We have used walkie talkies on hikes, camping as well as in airports. It’s a great way for parents to communicate with their children as well without having to use cell phones!
Diana, Travels in Poland
8. Collapsible and reusable metal straw
- 【Ultra-Portable Collapsible Design】 – Our telescopic straws effortlessly transform from a pocket-sized 11cm…
- 【Effortless Cleaning with Included Straw Brush】 – Every stainless steel straw set includes a collapsible…
- 【Premium Materials】– This collapsible metal straw is crafted from high-quality stainless steel, these durable…
- 【Smooth Finish & Silicone Lip Guards】- Each straw is finely polished for a smooth, comfortable feel. The…
- 【Complete 4-Pack Straws Kit】– You’ll receive 4 stainless steel straws, 4 straw protective cases, 4 keychain…
This sustainable and environmentally friendly product is lightweight and hygienic. We find the straws particularly useful when buying ‘on the go’ drinks in bottles or cans that we don’t want to put our mouths to! We used them consistently when buying drinks from rail station platforms during our trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
These collapsible straws are the best reusable straw models we have found as the tube is wider so whether you use the dishwasher or the cleaning brush, the straw gets a thorough clean. Our kids love the fact that each straw comes with its own colour coded silicone tip so no more arguing over which straw belongs to which child!
Sinead, Map Made Memories
9. Souvenir T-shirt quilt
What do you do when your children outgrow their souvenir T-shirts? Instead of throwing them away, save them!
Get a separate tub for each child and tuck them away as they outgrow or tire of shirts. Be sure to buy destination T-shirts wherever you go, even if they’re ugly. By the time your child graduates high school, you’ll have a collection of vacation memories that you can turn into the ultimate souvenir…a T-shirt quilt.
A travel quilt makes the perfect grad gift for the young traveller in your life. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter in the freshman dorm!
Kellie, 4WornPassports.com
10. Sleeping Bags
- 🌿 GROWS WITH YOUR CHILD – from 130 to 170 cm: The flexible zipper system allows the sleeping bag length to be…
- 🌿 COMFORTABLE – The innovative design and high-quality 400T polyester make the kids camping sleeping bag soft…
- 🌿 COMPACT – Despite a generous lying surface of 170 x 70 cm, the sleeping bag compresses to an amazing 25 x…
- ROBUST – The high-quality material of the kids sleeping bag is breathable and durable, ensuring maximum…
- 🌿 ALL-ROUNDER – Thanks to its compact size and light weight, the junior sleeping bag is a perfect companion…
A great gift idea for kids that love to travel is to buy them their very own sleeping bag!
There are so many fun designs and colours out there that are perfect for kids. You can find them their favourite colour or a movie character themed sleeping bags.
Buy them just the right size for any age of kids which they can use on camping trips, sleepovers at grandparents’ houses or toss in the back of the car for road trip hotel visits if they like to snuggle in their own bed every night. We also use them for family movie nights at home where they can lay on the floor and relax.
Nicole, The Passport Kids
11. gofindit cards
- The original scavenger hunt game for kids that uses all your senses. gofindit too can be played on its own or…
- Fun game for all the family. Children of all ages will enjoy playing. Suitable for preschool, nursery, forest…
- This travel game is a perfect companion to any outdoor trip, it fits easily and neatly into a pocket and can…
- Great at encouraging sensory outdoor discovery. Supports STEM learning with a science and nature focus.…
- Game can last from 2 mins to the whole day. You set the pace, the level and the environment then ready set go…
A set of gofindit cards makes a great gift for kids aged 3 and up. We love our set which we always keep in our backpack that we take on walks. They’re great for taking camping too. They don’t take up much room (they’re the same size as a pack of cards).
Go find it cards are an instant outdoor scavenger hunt that can last as little or as long as you like. There are 32 cards with different sensory characteristics (think colours, textures, smells, size and more) to challenge your children to find items in the natural world that match the card. Find out more in this full review.
Claire, The Ladybirds’ adventures
12. Binoculars
- High Power Field: The small binoculars are 10 x magnification and 25 mm objective lens, focus on your target…
- Bright & Crisp Viewing: All lenses are made of BAK-4 prisms and FMC multi green coated, the transmittance of…
- Low Light Night Vision: The small binoculars can be used for night vision with some light but not for…
- Water-proof & Antiskid: Durable rubber texture anti-slip grip against careless falling or accidental crash.…
- Lightweight & Foldable: The pocket binoculars are lightweight and foldable. Coming with a portable bag and a…
Binoculars are the perfect give for little nature lovers. It will allow them to get up close and personal with everything from the animals in the distance to the little critters crossing the trail.
If your family loves to get out in nature, then this is a great gift that will help keep your child interested in exploring.
Binoculars make an ideal gift for kids as young as 3 years old, just be sure to look for extra safety features when purchasing a set for a young child. You’ll want to make sure they can withstand being dropped and that they are easy to use. Our son was fascinated with looking through the binoculars while we looked for California condors in Zion National Park.
Celine, Family Can Travel
13. LCD Writing Tablet
- Kids Inspiration is Beyond your Imagination: ORSEN LCD writing tablet would be the best electronic…
- 100% Safety & Happiness Guarantee: Safety is always the important point when choosing toys for kids. ORSEN…
- Portable Travel Toys: 8.5inch mini size is suitable for little kids to hold. Lightweight but sturdy. Easy to…
- Upgraded Screen Tech: This drawing pad for kids adopts the 2025 newest LCD screen and sensing tech. The…
- Birthday Gift for Kids: Do you have a hard moment for picking a unique Birthday gift for your little kids?…
The LCD Writing Tablet is an electronic writing tablet. I bought them to use as a drawing tablet for my two kids.
I don’t know how they do it, but the battery lasts a really long time and never needs to be charged. I’ve had ours for over two years and I can attest that the battery still works.
We take them on trips to have an alternative to our other electronic devices. The Jot is a no mess way to let them draw to their heart’s content. We’ve used them from about ages 4 and up. I recommend buying a case at the same time, to help keep it safe during travel and at home.
Natalie, blissmersion.com
14. Microfibre towels
- 【Portable Travel Towel Case】The microfiber towel comes with a soft and breathable EVA zippered case, which…
- 【Skin-Friendly】The camping towel is made of eco-friendly microfiber and has no weird smell. Plus, it's…
- 【Fast Drying and Super Absorbent】This microfiber towel can absorb four times its weight in water and dry up…
- 【Compact and Lightweight】Packed in a breathable and super lightweight EVA zippered case, our microfiber towel…
- 【Multiple Sizes】Choose towels in different sizes to meet your needs for sports, beach, backpacking or…
As full-time travellers, I can tell you how much we love having microfiber towels. They are one of the best practical and useful travel gifts that every traveller needs, including kids.
The major benefits being that microfiber is super-dooper absorbent, meaning you can dry the kids off really quickly when you need to (especially if it’s cold). The other great thing is that microfiber dries really quickly in the breeze or sun, plus the towels roll up a lot smaller than regular bath towels. As space and weight is at a premium when you’re travelling, these guys are perfect!
We’ve got the Norwex kids towels as they’re extremely soft and plushy and come in really funky colours. The kids have been using them daily for a few years now and the towels still haven’t really shown too much sign of wear and tear, so they’ve been great value for money.
Emma, MY RIG Adventures
15. Snorkel gear
- Crystal clear panoramic wide view: Thanks to the advanced 180° tempered glass design. The tempered glass…
- Upgraded snorkel: diving goggles with snorkel have the most stable dry valve. Fully dry snorkel prevents…
- PROFESSIONAL SILICONE MATERIAL: The diving mask has a very soft, liquid silicone skirt, reduces the water…
- ADJUSTABLE BUCKLE DESIGN: The snorkel set features an adjustable serrated adjustment strap that can be…
- PACKAGE CONTENTS AND WARRANTY: Diving mask x 1, snorkel x 1, nose clip x 1, ear plugs x 2, bag x 1. Customer…
If you’re preparing for a family vacation to a tropical destination, there’s no better gift for your kids than right-sized snorkel gear! Kids as young as 2.5 or 3 can learn how to use it (with proper supervision and flotation aids) to immerse themselves in the beauty of aquatic life.
Many tour outfitters either don’t have kids snorkel gear at all* or it’s only sized for older children. We were so glad to have tiny masks and snorkels everywhere from Puerto Rico to Hawaii to Australia!
As a bonus, kids can use it at home in the pool to go diving for toy “fishies” even when you aren’t on vacation.
Melissa, The Family Voyage
*this is what we found when island hopping from Kota Kinabalu on our Borneo trip.
16. Head Torch
- 【Super Bright】The brightness of this head torch is 140 Lumens and can light your way up to 10 meters, the…
- 【3 Lighting Modes】With 3 lighting modes (High/Low/Strobe), this super bright LED headlamp can meet the…
- 【Adjustable Angle】The LED head torch base can be rotated at 60 degrees up and down, the beam angle is…
- 【Wide Usages】This IPX4 waterproof LED kids head torch is perfect for fishing, running, walking, Emergency…
- 【Lightweight and Battery Powered】One LED headlamp weights 0.08 kilograms, is very lightweight for carrying. 2…
One of the best gifts we’ve given our two adventure-loving boys is a head torch. On the face of it, a head torch may not seem that exciting but they have so many uses and actually can be very exciting for big and little kids.
They’re great for exploring caves and castles and middle of the night trips to the toilet when camping.
We gave them to the kids when we visited Petra in Jordan. Whilst most visitors were marvelling at one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, we were making animal shadows in the caves. The head torches (along with lots of snacks) played a big part in helping the kids to complete a 7 km hike.
Jacquie, UK Family Travel
17. Simply for Flying Flight Logbook
A great gift idea for kids who travel is the Simply for Flying Flight Logbook. This amazing little book enables young flyers of all ages to record every flight they take.
Inside the book there are two pages dedicated to each flight. The first page is dedicated to details of the flight including the date, route, aircraft details, distance for the journey and also space for the captain and first officer to sign their names.
On the second page, the captain can leave your little travellers a short message and, underneath, your children can record their own memories of the flight. It’s a lovely way of recording all the trips your kids have taken and would make a brilliant gift for little travellers.
Cath, Passports and Adventures
18. Lonely Planet Kids Books
- New Store Stock
As our family loves to travel, our kids are often gifted a Lonely Planet Kids book to add to their collection.
Lonely Planet creates books for babies through to tweens. The books have been cleverly written, with many offering activities that add an element of fun. The holiday scrapbooks and family travel maps can be kept as a keepsake to remind kids of their adventures. The beautiful illustrations hold children’s attention as they learn facts about places and people around the world.
If you are planning a city break, there are many books written for particular cities.
They are an excellent resource for kids, as they can learn cool things before visiting, which adds an element of excitement to an upcoming trip.
Sharee, Inspire Family Travel
19. Headphones
- 【Safer Kids Headphones】: Designed to prevent hearing loss, iClever kids headphones boast 2nd generation 85dBA…
- 【High Definition Acoustics】: Featuring a built-in 40mm drive unit, these headphones for kids deliver…
- 【90°Swivel Ear Cups & Comfy Wearing】: The soft head pad and 90°swivel ear cups offer a snug fit, perfect for…
- 【Ultra-lightweight Design】: Weighted only 155g, these kids wired headphones are lightweight enough for comfy…
- 【All-inclusive Connectivity】: Equipped with a standard 3.5mm jack, these kids wired headphones are compatible…
Travelling with kids can get hard, listening to their music or games for hours on end can be harder.
Trying to get the right size, style and type for them is difficult but noise cancelling is always the way to go. It can also help older kids stay focused and concentrate on their school work.
For younger kids, you can get pairs that cover their whole ears rather than earbuds that can easily be lost. For older kids, small earbuds can be the best for them or a set that incorporates Bluetooth connectivity so they can attach them to their devices.
Headphones are especially a family road trip essential as they allow everyone in the vehicle their own space to listen whilst reducing arguments into the bargain.
Bec, Wyld Family Travel
20. Globe
- EDUCATIONAL LEARNING: Go beyond countries and their capitals with this enhanced kids globe that explores…
- INTERACTIVE TOY: Tap anywhere using the stylus to hear thousands of facts, interact with unique games and…
- 3 LEARNING GAMES INCLUDED: Race around the world with this educational game, discovering new places and solve…
- ELECTRONIC LEARNING TOYS: Perfect to display video and animations with playful characters that guide children…
- GAMES FOR 5 YEAR OLDS+: Educational toy intended for 5, 6 and 7 + year olds that boosts geographical…
Our kids love to travel and a globe is a must have for any travel loving family. There are some wonderful globes that are suitable for all age groups that offer a perfect introduction to understanding the sheer size of a place.
Our kids love pointing out the places that we have travelled to and a globe gives a wonderful understanding of the world. We have an illuminated globe that shows the world with the natural features such as lakes and rivers, capitals and all of the major cities but also doubles up as a nightlight.
For the younger travellers there are some lovely alternatives including puzzle globes.
Katy, Otis and Us
21. Kids Camera
- VIBRANT VISUALS ON A 2.4" LCD SCREEN: Experience stunning visuals on the 2.4-inch colour LCD screen for vivid…
- CAPTURE MEMORIES IN HIGH RESOLUTION: Dual cameras allow you to capture moments with precision, boasting an…
- ENTERTAIN WITH HILARIOUS CHIN PUPPET SHOW MODE: Unleash your creativity with the funny Chin Puppet Show mode…
- IMMERSE YOURSELF IN AUGMENTED REALITY: Elevate your content with Live AR filters, providing a unique way to…
- ENDLESS FUN WITH GAMES, EFFECTS, AND FRAMES: Dive into a world of entertainment with over 20 engaging games…
A great travel gift for kids is a camera. Allow them to record their memories through their own eyes, making their adventures just a little more special for them. Whether you are spending a day at the beach, or on your biggest holiday yet, there is always something amazing and memorable to take a photo of.
My twins are 4, and on our recent trip to Kenya, they started showing an interest in taking photos and were always stealing my SLR to get a few shots.
Anna, Twins and Travels
22. Kids pocket knife
- MY FIRST VICTORINOX: My First Victorinox, our innovative pocket knife for kids, takes the edge off the blade…
- INSPIRING CURIOSITY: My First Victorinox is the perfect first pocket knife for children. Its nine functions…
- EXPLORE IN SAFETY: My First Victorinox has all the exciting features of a regular Swiss Army Knife, but the…
- HIGHEST SWISS QUALITY: Victorinox stands for skilled craftsmanship and innovative design. We draw on 140…
- SPECIFICATIONS: Measurements: 84 mm/3.3 in long × 23 mm/0.9 in wide × 14 mm/0.6 in high. Weight: 45 g/1.6 oz.…
A pocket knife is a wonderful gift for kids that love the outdoors. They’ll treasure and use it for years to come! We wanted to buy our almost 7-year old a My First Victorinox knife for his birthday, but he ended up saving for it himself.
If you want to buy this for someone’s kid, make sure to consult with the parents first. There’s no set age for a child’s first pocket knife, but they need to be responsible enough to use it. In general this makes a great travel gift for kids age 7+. The rounded tip of this particular junior Swiss Army knife makes it slightly less scary, even though the edge is still very sharp.
Lisa, Flip Flop Globetrotters