As traveling parents, we know the drill: the gear you bring determines whether your trip is an adventure or pure chaos. This year’s guide is (as always!) all personally tested and approved by both us and our kids. For us, conscious gifting means investing in durable, quality items that last longer than a single trip and help cultivate a love for the outdoors.
That’s why this list focuses on high-impact, sustainable finds, from highly functional items like Whiskware snack containers that keep tiny travelers happy to the Akova durable outdoor bibs and pants built to withstand their ski adventures and beyond. Have a peek at our favorite family-approved gear that delivers long-lasting results, ensuring your next family journey is smoother and more memorable.
Akova Kids’ Elevated Bib/Pant 2.5L
High-quality outdoor gear that can withstand harsh, year-round conditions is less of a luxury and more of a necessity for winter travel and living in New England. I was thrilled to find the Akova Kids’ Elevated Bib/Pant. My daughter loves her bright pink/magenta pants, which keep her warm and dry for winter trips and even during her all-day adventures at nature school.
What makes this such a smart purchase (and a great gift) for parents is the design versatility and the longevity. They’ve created a product that not only stands up to severe weather, but is super adaptable. The upper bib section is removable, so your child can wear them as bibs or as pants, and inner thigh vents mean they can be worn in a wide range of temperatures.
Best of all, they feature an integrated “adjust-a-fit” that lets you shorten and incrementally let out the legs by up to two inches as your child grows. This simple design ensures the garment retains its quality when you hand it down to the next child (or use more than one season!), maximizing your investment.
By using a direct-to-consumer model, Akova packs all these features into a much lower price point than competitors. Like their adult line, Akova’s commitment to foundations like the Share Winter Foundation ensures they are supporting more kids outside, which is always a cause we love to champion.
Retail $190 for kids -Eileen
Whiskware Containers
Once we finally ditched the snack cups needed for the littlest kiddos, these tiered containers are the next best step. When traveling with kids, one truth is universal: snacks must be available immediately, or the wheels fall off. I’ve gone through other containers that leak, snap, or require two hands to open, which is impossible when you’re wrestling suitcases or strapping a child into a car seat. Honestly, the Whiskware stackable containers are just a thoughtful solution to a huge travel headache. They have lots of fun themes, but we chose the Barbie set, which immediately made the girls excited to own their designated snacks. Less sharing drama is always a win now that they’re getting older!
The modular design means they fit well into car cup holders for road trips and slide securely into the side bottle pockets of backpacks. That means in-flight access is simple: no more digging through the main bag mid-turbulence. This accessibility is essential for keeping everyone calm and happy on the move.
Beyond the bright, engaging colors that kids love, these containers really stand up to the rigorous life of a traveling family. As a parent, the biggest selling point is that they’re completely dishwasher safe, which is a non-negotiable for streamlining the post-trip cleanup process.
While Whiskware is part of a larger, established company, I appreciate that they’ve focused on creating products that reduce single-use plastic waste and simplify logistics, allowing families to focus on the joy of the destination instead of the mess of the journey. If your holiday list includes anything that will make travel easier, throw a set of these in the cart.
Retail $49.99 for a set of four -Eileen
BabyQuip rentals for travel
The struggle of flying with little kids often comes down to the sheer bulk of the gear. We’ve all been there: lugging giant car seats through the airport, or sacrificing precious car space for a massive Pack n’ Play. I’ll admit I sometimes resorted to buying a cheap car seat once I arrived at a destination, which was both a waste of money and a gamble on safety and quality.
That’s why I am genuinely excited about BabyQuip, I’ve used the service three times and have another reservation next month. Here’s a link to $20 your first rental! This rental company is a thoughtful, sustainable alternative to carrying everything yourself. They operate worldwide with third-party lenders, meaning you get safe, quality gear delivered right to your accommodation, from full-sized cribs to specialized strollers, allowing you to travel light and stress-free.
I know the service can sometimes feel pricey, especially compared to just buying something cheap, but the investment in convenience (and reusable gear) is absolutely worth it for your sanity and safety. When you factor in the peace of mind knowing your child is sleeping in a clean, high-quality crib or riding in a trusted car seat that you didn’t have to schlep through security, the cost suddenly makes sense.
For anyone with traveling friends or family who have little ones, an e-gift card from BabyQuip is truly one of the most practical and appreciated gifts you can give this holiday season.
Retail varies; e-gift cards available -Eileen
Feltman Brothers Clothing
We all want those special holiday photos, but finding kids’ clothing that is both a statement piece and genuinely durable can be a challenge. That’s where Feltman Brothers comes in. This heritage brand has been around for 100 years, specializing in the kind of high-quality, classic clothes you instantly recognize.
While my daughters are fortunate to have plenty of beautiful outfits, we recently fell in love with their cozy nightgowns. When you travel during the chaotic holiday season, the key is keeping the bedtime routine consistent, even in a new hotel room. These soft velour nightgowns are an instant cozy cue that helps everyone settle down, ensuring quality sleep while we’re away from home.
The best part of gifting Feltman Brothers is that you are investing in an heirloom, not just an outfit. The construction and materials are so robust that these pieces easily pass down to siblings or friends. Giving a gift that lasts through multiple children and families is the ultimate way to champion sustainability and thoughtful consumption.
I really strive to gift thoughtfully. And if I do want to splurge on a new mom friend or have that one special outfit for my own child every year, this is exactly where I’d purchase from. They make beautiful baby clothes too, which are an especially sweet and classic choice for any new parents on your holiday list. It’s an investment, but it’s one that lasts for generations of travel and memories.
Retail varies; Christmas velour nightgown is $63.95 -Eileen
Lo and Sons Catalina weekender bag
For me, the key to a stress-free trip is having a personal item that is as smart as it is spacious. The Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Weekender Bag is now one of my favorites. I love this bag personally, especially for the genius bottom zip compartment made specifically for shoes. Where to put bulky shoes is always a challenge for me, and this feature takes away that guesswork while keeping dirty soles away from your clean clothes.
This woman-owned bag and brand is designed for modern travel. The Catalina weekender fits on top of a rolling carry-on with a dedicated sleeve. It’s also a great option for kids as a personal carry-on bag, perfectly sized to be filled with their toys, tablets, and snacks. Best of all, Lo & Sons has a great commitment to ethical sourcing: the bag is partially made from recycled plastic bottles and other responsibly sourced materials. It’s a purposeful gift that makes packing lighter, smarter, and more sustainable.
Retail (on sale) $90 -Eileen
We sometimes receive product samples for guide inclusions. All reviews are our own opinions and never anything we wouldn’t purchase ourselves. Some links also may be affiliates that offer us a small percentage of the sale if bought, at no extra cost to you.
That weekender bag is gorgeous! Love how it fits on top of the carry-on. So convenient.