technology- related must-haves
Luggage Scale
A travel luggage scale is a must-have because it helps you avoid overweight baggage fees by letting you weigh your suitcase before you get to the airport.
This makes it so easy to weigh your bags as you pack, and it saves you from having to hunt down an airport scale—and wait in line—just to check your luggage weight. I got this one on sale for $7.80, but regularly it is only $12.99.
Electronic Organizer
A travel wire organizer is a must-have because it keeps chargers, cords, and earbuds neatly in one place—so you’re not digging through your bag or dealing with tangled wires when you need them.
This one - we got for only $8.99 - regularly $11.99.
Portable Charger
A portable charger is a must-have because it keeps your phone powered up on the go—so you always have access to maps, tickets, and emergency contact info when you need it most.
Plus—if you’re anything like me—you need a fully charged phone for the camera so you don’t miss capturing those special moments!
Phone Holder
A phone holder for the plane makes it easy to watch movies, shows, or videos hands-free without having to hold your phone the entire flight. It clips onto the tray table or seat area so you can keep your screen at a comfortable eye level, reducing neck strain and arm fatigue. It’s especially helpful during long flights for entertainment,
A phone holder for the plane makes it easy to watch movies, shows, or videos hands-free without having to hold your phone the entire flight. It clips onto the tray table or seat area so you can keep your screen at a comfortable eye level, reducing neck strain and arm fatigue. It’s especially helpful during long flights for entertainment, video calls, or following travel plans without juggling your device. Overall, it’s a small accessory that makes flying more comfortable and convenient. This one is usually $13.99 and sometimes can be found on sale for $9.99.
Extension Cord with Multiple Outlets / Ports
A travel extension cord with multiple outlets and USB ports makes it easy to charge all your devices in one place, even when hotels or airports have limited or inconveniently located plugs. It lets you power phones, tablets, laptops, and other accessories at the same time without fighting over outlets. It’s especially helpful for familie
A travel extension cord with multiple outlets and USB ports makes it easy to charge all your devices in one place, even when hotels or airports have limited or inconveniently located plugs. It lets you power phones, tablets, laptops, and other accessories at the same time without fighting over outlets. It’s especially helpful for families or business travelers who travel with several chargers. Overall, it saves time, reduces clutter, and keeps your devices powered and organized. This one is $12.99, but often is on sale for $8.99.
Waterproof Phone Pouch
A waterproof phone pouch protects your phone from water, sand, and dust while still letting you use the touchscreen and camera. It’s perfect for the beach, pool, boating, or rainy travel days when accidents are more likely to happen. Many also include a lanyard, so you can keep your phone secure and hands-free during activities. Overall,
A waterproof phone pouch protects your phone from water, sand, and dust while still letting you use the touchscreen and camera. It’s perfect for the beach, pool, boating, or rainy travel days when accidents are more likely to happen. Many also include a lanyard, so you can keep your phone secure and hands-free during activities. Overall, it gives you peace of mind and helps prevent expensive damage while traveling. This one $9.99.
stay cool at the park must haves
Portable Neck Fan
A portable fan is a must-have for hot days because it gives you instant relief from the heat—especially while standing in long lines—helping you stay cool, comfortable, and less sweaty throughout the day.
Whenever we travel to an amusement park, each of the kids has one! They come in tons of different colors, and I picked this one up for just $9.99.
Cooling Towels
A cooling towel is a great item to bring because it provides quick, refreshing relief from the heat—just wet it, snap it, and drape it around your neck to stay cooler and more comfortable all day.
These have been an absolute lifesaver at places like Disney in June! The set is normally $11.99, but I grabbed it on sale for $7.99.
Water Bottle Carrier
Water Bottle Carrier
A water bottle carrier is super helpful because it keeps your hands free while making it easy to carry your water all day—plus many have extra pockets for essentials like your phone, keys, and cards.
We loved these because we could choose different colors and even add the kids’ initials for a personal touch. Plus, it meant Mom wasn’t stuc
A water bottle carrier is super helpful because it keeps your hands free while making it easy to carry your water all day—plus many have extra pockets for essentials like your phone, keys, and cards.
We loved these because we could choose different colors and even add the kids’ initials for a personal touch. Plus, it meant Mom wasn’t stuck carrying everyone’s water bottle!
We have a few of these in different styles - this one was $19.99.
pack more and pay less for baggage fees
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a travel game-changer because they keep your suitcase organized, make it easy to find what you need without digging through everything, and help you pack more efficiently by maximizing space. I recommend rolling items you put in the cubes to maximize space.
This set includes four different sizes, plus a shoe bag and a
Packing cubes are a travel game-changer because they keep your suitcase organized, make it easy to find what you need without digging through everything, and help you pack more efficiently by maximizing space. I recommend rolling items you put in the cubes to maximize space.
This set includes four different sizes, plus a shoe bag and a laundry bag. They’re also waterproof—which is a huge bonus because you never know when something might spill or leak in your suitcase. The set normally sells for $16.99, but I grabbed it on sale for $12.99.
Stuffable Travel Pillow
A stuffable travel pillow (a neck pillow/roll you can stuff with clothing) is great for packing because it turns “dead space” into storage while still giving you comfort in transit.
It saves luggage space! You can pack socks, underwear, tees, or a light layer inside it, freeing up room in your suitcase. It adds “extra capacity” without a
A stuffable travel pillow (a neck pillow/roll you can stuff with clothing) is great for packing because it turns “dead space” into storage while still giving you comfort in transit.
It saves luggage space! You can pack socks, underwear, tees, or a light layer inside it, freeing up room in your suitcase. It adds “extra capacity” without another bag functioning like a hidden mini packing cube you’re already allowed to carry.
And it is great for budget airlines when you’re limited on baggage but want to maximize what you can bring. In short: it’s comfort + smart packing in one, especially for carry-on travelers.
This is a trick I ALWAYS use! You can buy this set for $19.99.
Vacuum Bags with Pump
Vacuum Bags with Pump
Reusable vacuum bags with a pump are amazing for travel because they compress bulky clothes (like jackets and sweaters) to save a ton of suitcase space, keep everything organized, and make it easier to fit more without overpacking.
These have been a lifesaver when we travel somewhere that requires bulky winter clothing. This set we got for $18.99.
miscellaneous must haves
Inflatable Sleeping Pad
An inflatable sleeping bed is a great travel essential because it provides a comfortable place to rest anywhere, saves space when packed, and makes overnight stays—whether camping, road trips, or unexpected situations—much more comfortable. They roll up super small and can fit in the side water bottle pouch of your backpack.
One time we
An inflatable sleeping bed is a great travel essential because it provides a comfortable place to rest anywhere, saves space when packed, and makes overnight stays—whether camping, road trips, or unexpected situations—much more comfortable. They roll up super small and can fit in the side water bottle pouch of your backpack.
One time we literally had to sleep on the floor at DFW after our flight got re-routed twice because of bad storms. We didn’t arrive until 1AM, and our re-booked flight left at 5AM—so there was no point in getting a hotel. We basically “camped out” in the airport, and I really wish we had these back then! I got this for $26.99.
Folding Travel Trolley
A folding travel trolley is a must-have because it makes hauling heavy bags, coolers, or gear effortless—saving your back and arms—while folding down small for easy storage when you’re not using it.
My kids love these because if their backpack starts feeling too heavy, they can simply pull it along instead of carrying it. I got this one for $37.99.
Family Passport Holder
Family Passport Holder
A family passport holder keeps everyone’s passports and important travel documents organized in one secure place, making check-ins and security lines much smoother. It reduces the chance of losing a passport—especially when traveling with kids—since everything stays together instead of being spread across multiple bags. Many also have sl
A family passport holder keeps everyone’s passports and important travel documents organized in one secure place, making check-ins and security lines much smoother. It reduces the chance of losing a passport—especially when traveling with kids—since everything stays together instead of being spread across multiple bags. Many also have slots for boarding passes, IDs, and cards, so you can grab what you need quickly. Overall, it’s a simple way to stay organized and cut down on travel stress. This one is only $21.99.
Single Use Blender
Family Passport Holder
A single-use blender is super convenient for travel because it lets you quickly make smoothies, protein shakes, or blended drinks anywhere—without needing a full-size blender or a kitchen.
My husband and I love our smoothies, so bringing a blender is a must for us. Just a heads-up—only pack this if you’re checking a bag, because airport security will take it if it’s in your carry-on!
Travel Beach Towels
Compact travel beach towels are great because they’re lightweight, dry quickly, and take up way less space in your bag—making them perfect for the beach, pool, or water parks.
These are perfect for trips where we know we’ll need towels—they take up almost no space in our luggage, and they’re warm enough that you could even use one as a bl
Compact travel beach towels are great because they’re lightweight, dry quickly, and take up way less space in your bag—making them perfect for the beach, pool, or water parks.
These are perfect for trips where we know we’ll need towels—they take up almost no space in our luggage, and they’re warm enough that you could even use one as a blanket if you want to save even more room! They come in lots of different styles. We got ours for $49.99.
Travel Blanket
A travel blanket is a great comfort item for flights, road trips, and long layovers because it keeps you warm when temperatures change. It can also double as a pillow, extra padding, or a cozy layer for kids who fall asleep on the go. Many travel blankets fold into compact pouches, making them easy to pack without taking up much space. O
A travel blanket is a great comfort item for flights, road trips, and long layovers because it keeps you warm when temperatures change. It can also double as a pillow, extra padding, or a cozy layer for kids who fall asleep on the go. Many travel blankets fold into compact pouches, making them easy to pack without taking up much space. Overall, it adds comfort and helps you rest better while traveling.
It comes in multiple colors, easily slides over your suitcase for easy carrying, and it is super soft. This one is $34.95 and can sometimes be found on sale for $24.95