Are you looking for travel gifts for someone who loves to travel? Here are perfect travel gifts for the entire family. Scroll to see all the items!
This list of travel gift ideas for families was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
This Holiday Gift Guide features travel gift ideas that enhance travel experiences and bring a spirit of wanderlust at home.
These travel gifts are a great addition to their carry-on, especially when enduring a long flight. I bet a frequent flyer gift recipient would be more than happy to have these on their next trip.
Keep scrolling to find the perfect gift for kids, moms, dads, and families who love to travel.
The Perfect Travel Gift Ideas for Kids Who Travel
Families who are frequent travelers know how difficult it can get to keep the kids in their seats. No matter how much you pack all the essentials, they can still get fussy, especially on long flights.
Here are some travel gifts that can keep kids engaged and entertained.
1. BUDDYPHONES
One of the most important things my family travels with is wireless headphones for the whole family. But, it can be tricky to find ones that work well for toddlers and preschoolers.
My favorite thing about them is that they are super durable. My kids tend to stretch and twist things (without realizing it) when they talk to me, and it drives me bonkers!
But with BuddyPhones, I don’t have to worry about them breaking it.
Plus, with their kid-safe volume setting, I know I’m helping to protect their hearing.
I also like that they come in a variety of colors/prints because it makes them a lot easier to find in my carry-on full of electronics. I mean, how is all my stuff silver?!?
AGE RANGE: 2-10 YEARS OLD
BUY IT ON AMAZON
2. SQUIGZ
My family loves toys that can be used to build or create something unique. I’m a HUGE fan of Fat Brain Toys, and one of our favorite products right now is their Squigz suction cupped toys.
There’s something about suction cups that keeps my kids occupied for hours! They come in a plastic tub, but we usually pack them in a Ziploc freezer bag when we travel and put them in our carry-on bag.
The kids play with them on airplanes (the windows and screens work well!) They also stick them on car windows when we’re on short road trips.
But they get the most use out of them while we’re at the hotel. It’s a great way to keep them focused while my husband and I get ready for our adventures!
Plus, they have more sets and expansions you can purchase for even more creativity!
AGE RANGE: 3-6 YEARS OLD
BUY IT AT FAT BRAIN TOYS
3. TRAVEL MATCHING GAME
Are you as obsessed with adorable travel pictures as I am? I have a huge crush on the entire My Little Cities series of board books because Greg Pizzoli does such a great job with the illustrations!
So, when he came out with a game, our family snapped one up!
It’s like a cuter version of the classic game of Memory. We like to play it at home and talk about the different images.
We also use the cards to play Go Fish. And sometimes, my toddler likes to line them up to make a train!
AGE RANGE: 2-8 YEARS
BUY ON AMAZON
4. MAGNETIC CREATION STATION
If you are looking for a great road trip toy, this Magnetic Creation Station is awesome!
It’s easy to keep in the car and bring it out when your kids need something quiet to do. Since they are magnetic, the pieces usually stay right in the carrying case.
It comes with a little booklet of designs, and kids can try to re-create them on their own. My (almost) 5-year-old had no problem replicating the designs.
And once he mastered those, he moved on to creating his own.
My 2-year-old also liked playing around with the magnets but mostly liked walking around with his “briefcase” and opening and closing it – like he has his own carry-on bag.
That’s fine with me because I know he’ll get several years of use out of it!
I also like that you can use different magnets to switch it up. We have a bag of numbers and letters that I’m going to add to our next trip!
AGE RANGE: 3-5 YEARS
BUY IT AT FAT BRAIN TOYS
5. LITTLE FEMINIST MAGNETS
Speaking of magnets, how adorable are these Little Feminist magnets?
They feature amazing women, including Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo, Sally Ride, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Ella Fitzgerald, and the list goes on and on.
While they are great for kids, they would also make a great gift for teens and adults to use as a regular magnet. What a fun way to dress up a dorm room, first apartment, or cubicle!
AGE RANGE: 3+ YEARS OLD
BUY IT ON AMAZON
6. HOW AIRPORTS WORK
My boys are obsessed with airplanes and the whole process of flying. In fact, they are usually disappointed when we’ve landed because they “want to go on another airplane ride!”
Our local airport (SeaTac in Seattle) just announced they will be allowing guests to visit the airport. We are super excited to maybe plan a play date there so we can explore without rushing off to catch a flight!
Back then, we basically pointed out the airplanes and talked about what each one was doing with my 2-year-old. This one is taking off. This one is landing.
But with my other son, who was almost 5 at that time, this book has the answers to just about every question he has about airports! It’s so comprehensive!
Because there’s so much information, it’s a book that can really grow with kids.
AGE RANGE: 6-8 YEARS OLD
BUY IT ON AMAZON
7. SPACE ADVENTURE MAGNETIC PUZZLES
My preschooler is really into puzzles. It started about a year ago, and we’ve gone through dozens of types of puzzles (jumbo, miniature, wooden, dollar store finds, etc!)
So, when I saw that Mudpuppy has magnetic puzzles, I knew a little boy who would love to test them out!
There are puzzles on the two ends, with a nice space in the middle for the pieces. This puzzle set would be ideal for car rides or long-haul flights.
AGE RANGE: 4+ YEARS OLD
BUY IT ON AMAZON
8. WHIRLY SQUIGZ
If you are traveling with babies or toddlers, it can be hard to keep them entertained. My toddler is currently obsessed with these Whirly Squigz toys from Fat Brain Toys!
They are kind of like big fidget spinners that suction cup onto smooth surfaces. We like to stick them on door frames or sliding glass windows in hotel rooms.
Actually, both my boys spend a lot of time spinning them! It’s kind of addictive!
I think you could probably suction-cup them onto airplane windows, too. Or the big windows at airports.
AGE RANGE: 0-2 YEARS
BUY IT AT FAT BRAIN TOYS
9. ANCIENT WONDERS – THEN & NOW
I’m a huge fan of interactive books. And the Colosseum is one of the most impressive “ancient wonders” I’ve ever seen.
And personally, I’m excited that they aren’t just European spots. I think too many books focus solely on Ancient Rome, Egypt, or Athens.
Leave it to Lonely Planet Kids to also feature China, Mexico, Peru, Cambodia, and Easter Island!
AGE RANGE: 9-12 YEARS OLD
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10. BIG BOX OF GAMES
I have great memories of playing games with my brother when I was growing up. We had a cupboard full of board games and card games.
So, I’m a bit embarrassed that we don’t really have any games for our kids.
When we have done weekend trips to places like Semiahmoo Resort & Spa and the Inn at Cape Kiwanda, their game rooms have always been a fun place to hang out.
This box has Memory Match, Dominoes, a Spinner Game, and Bingo.
Everything is made out of thick cardboard, and it’s easy to pack.
We’re packing this box for our next fall weekend getaway in the PNW in case we need a fun rainy-day activity!
AGE RANGE: 3+ YEARS OLD
BUY IT HERE
11. TEEBEE BOX
Do your kids insist on bringing LEGOs into the car only to drop them on the floor? Is it just my boys?
We’ve tried using plastic containers, but they usually slip off my son’s lap, and then there’s crying about LEGOs.
So, that’s why I’m pretty excited about this Teebee box. It’s perfect for car trips of any length.
You can store LEGOs inside it, and there are little LEGO plates where kids can build on the Teebee box.
But, it can also be used for all kinds of toys or crafts where having a surface in the car would be nice.
It fits in between kids’ legs, and the lid opens up in a couple of directions. We’ve tested it out a lot in the car, and so far, it seems pretty sturdy and doesn’t move around while I’m driving.
It comes with some stickers so kids can add a face. But you can also cover it with other fun stickers to personalize it!
AGE RANGE: 4-8 YEARS OLD
BUY IT AT FAT BRAIN TOYS
12. PICCOLI PLUSH TOY HORSE
So, neither of my boys has been big on stuffed animals.
But when we received these horses in the mail, their faces lit up, and they both immediately snuggled with them! Let me tell you, they are by far the softest stuffed animals we own.
What’s extra cool about them is that each one comes with a special code. After you download the app, you can enter the code, pick if your horse is a boy or girl, and then find out its official name!
Of course, kids can also choose a nickname for their horse.
The horse itself doesn’t have any electronic parts (my kids didn’t believe me and insisted on pushing the ears, legs, etc.)
That’s when we told them about the app. It starts off in English, and they just launched French earlier this week!
The app is all about getting kids moving while learning vocabulary. Both my boys think it’s super fun!
You can pick the color of the horse and the print of their saddle. And did I mention how SOFT the horses are?
AGE RANGE: 3 YEARS AND UP
BUY IT HERE
13. CRANKITY
If your child likes spinning gears, Crankity from Fat Brain Toys is pretty awesome for long haul flights!
There’s a bag of gears, and kids can place them on the board to create little machines. For younger kids, they can play with the different gears and put them anywhere they want.
However, for kids and adults up for a challenge, insert one of the 40 puzzle cards to see if you can solve it.
It will show you where to place the start and end gears. And it will tell you how many gears you’ll need to connect them to make the machine move.
This is a nice set to take on airplanes or in the car. I like to store the whole set in a Ziploc freezer bag so that we don’t lose any of the puzzle sheets.
AGE RANGE: 6-10 YEARS
BUY IT AT FAT BRAIN TOYS
14. TAKE ALONG TRAIN STATION
We’ve been collecting train sets since my oldest was 18 months old. We have a lot of trains, tracks, accessories, etc.
But when I saw this train station from Lakeshore Learning, I just couldn’t help myself!
The cool thing about the set is that everything fits inside the train station (which resembles a toolbox with a handle when it’s all closed up.)
I’m a sucker for wooden toys, and this whole set is made of wood.
My kids love that they can bring additional tracks to expand the set. And they like to bring their favorite wooden trains, too.
I also think it’s neat that the carrying case transforms into the train station, and trains can go through a little tunnel inside!
We brought this on a recent road trip to the Oregon Coast, and the kids had a lot of fun playing with it at the hotel while we took a break!
AGE RANGE: 3-8 YEARS OLD
BUY IT AT LAKESHORE LEARNING
15. EVERYTHING & EVERYWHERE
I’m obsessed with travel-related children’s books, and they’re easy to stuff in my carry-on. I feel like it’s the easiest way to get kids excited about the world around us.
EVERYTHING & EVERYWHERE: A Fact-Filled Adventure for Curious Globe-Trotters
It was created by artist Marc Martin, and it combines beautiful illustrations with interesting facts.
Like, did you know “Hong Kong” translates to “fragrant harbor” in Chinese? Or that Paris gets 10 tons of dog droppings each day?
It focuses on some of the top world cities, and I feel like any of the pages would look beautiful mounted on a wall!
Plus, my kids love rubbing their hands across the embossed cover!
AGE RANGE: 5-8 YEARS OLD
BUY IT ON AMAZON
16. WORLD TRAVELER SET
We’ve actually had this set for about a year. I set it aside to use as an airplane activity but didn’t end up needing it.
My kids found it while we were cleaning, and it’s been such a fun way for the kids to play!
They like to pretend to be airplane pilots or people going on an adventure. This set makes for cool props to use in their imaginative play.
It comes with a play passport. I’ve added these passport books
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17. “SOMEDAY A BIRD WILL POOP ON YOU”
If you are looking for a funny book that also dishes out life advice, this book is great for kids of all ages (and also Dads!)
We’ve been reading this to our toddler and preschooler almost every day for the past 2 weeks. I have two boys, and anything with the word “poop” in it is hilarious to them.
But this book is so much more than a cheap laugh. It’s written by two comedians, and their writing style makes it so parents won’t mind reading it over and over (and over and over) again.
Plus, I really like the message in this book. It’s all about changing your attitude when something bad happens and continuing on with your life. I think it’s a message we all need to hear from time to time!
AGE RANGE: 4+ YEARS OLD
BUY IT ON AMAZON
The Perfect Travel Gift Ideas for Moms Who Travel
Moms who are frequent flyers would appreciate any travel gifts for her. Be it something that would add to their comfort or make things easier or more organized, no gift will be unappreciated.
Here are a few ideas on what to give a traveling mom.
18. HUG SLEEP
Are you always cold in hotel rooms like I am? My husband is always hot, so we always seem to have the A/C on, and I end up snuggled in bed every time we get to the room.
What’s cool about Hug Sleep is that it’s a wearable blanket, perfect for a good night’s sleep. It’s basically the softest, coziest blanket that you can wear, like a sleep sack or a cardigan.
It’s mostly marketed as a clean blanket you can use on an airplane. You can throw it in your carry-on and then put it on during your flight to stay nice and warm.
It’s stretchy, so you could even probably wear a baby in a carrier underneath or snuggle with a tired toddler.
19. MUSEUM HACK’S GUIDE TO HISTORY’S FIERCEST FEMALES
When my husband and I went to NYC earlier this year, we did a Museum Hack Tour of The Met, and it was hilarious, informative, and one of the coolest museum experiences we’d had.
So, when I heard they were writing a book, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy!
It’s all about highlighting famous and not-so-famous women who changed history. And they do it in a funny, conversational style, so it feels like a girlfriend is telling you salacious gossip about a celebrity!
If you liked Jon Stewart’s America book, you’d LOVE this one. It’s talking about history in a way that’s engaging and will leave you feeling empowered and ready to make your mark on the world!
It makes a great holiday gift or a cool gift to give at the Women’s March.
Plus, it was just released, so you’ll be the hip sister/aunt/daughter/mother/bestie to give this as a gift!
20. SANDLITE SAND-FREE MAT
If your family likes to hang out at the beach or play outside as much as our family, you’ll want to check out this Sandlite Sand-Free Mat.
It’s designed so sand will sift through the top layer but won’t allow sand to come up through the bottom layer.
What’s also cool about this mat is that it’s also water-resistant to spills. Like, if your kid spills their juice box, it will just bead on the mat instead of soaking through or staining it.
Sandlite also makes a line of bags with the same technology that keeps the inside of the bag clear of crumbs, sand, dirt, etc.
21. LUGABUG TRAVEL SEAT
For parents of toddlers and preschoolers, it can be so tricky to get through airports with little kids. They are often too big to use a carrier but walk so darn slow (or run off!)
If you aren’t bringing a stroller, the Lugabug is a great option to let kids sit while you wheel them around.
Plus, it’s lightweight and folds up compactly, so it’s easy to store when you aren’t using it.
22. SWADDLEDESIGNS TRANSITIONAL SWADDLE SACK
While this isn’t technically a gift FOR Mom, it will be something she’d like if she has a baby and wants to get a good night’s sleep on vacation!
Our family loves SwaddleDesigns! They are a Seattle company that makes some of the cutest and most functional baby products.
Their latest sleep sack is genius!
Our kids loved being swaddled from age 0-4 months, but as soon as they busted out of the swaddle, we had a hard time finding a good transition.
That’s where this Swaddle Sack comes in. The sleeves will keep your baby nice and warm, and it’s perfect for babies who like to sleep with their arms up.
There’s nothing worse than trying to soothe a tired baby in a hotel room on vacation. Set yourself up for success with the right sleep sack!
23. FABFITFUN
I wouldn’t consider myself a “trendy” person, but I definitely feel glamorous when I open my FabFitFun box.
It’s filled with beauty/lifestyle products that I’ve mostly never heard of.
But, what’s cool about it is that they are all “giftable” items. I like to grab out my favorite items and the rest make nice gifts for friends and family for any occasion.
It’s like having a box of instant hostess/birthday gifts that are unique and always on trend! And for me, that alleviates a lot of stress from last-minute shopping!
The Perfect Travel Gift Ideas for Dads Who Travel
24. HYDRO FLASK
My husband has been obsessed with Hydro Flask all year! He read an article about how the company mailed a Hydro Flask full of ice to someone, and it was still full of ice when it arrived.
This impressed him to no end!
We’ve taken our Hydro Flask water bottle traveling locally around Seattle, and it’s been great.
However, the real test was when we brought it to LEGOLAND California last month. We saved so much money refilling the Hydro Flask with ice water, and it stayed ice cold all day long.
They also have a travel coffee mug
BUY IT ON AMAZON
26. Mini Blocks NEW YORK SCENE
In our home, we are HUGE fans of building bricks. What’s cool about this set is that they are smaller than LEGOs. This set has more than 3,000 blocks!
That means these sets take up less space without losing any of the detail! We are in love with this New York set because it reminds us of our awesome trip there last May!
It features famous sites like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building.
This is a fun gift for parents who want a challenging project to test their building skills!
Plus, it’s a fun project for the whole family to work on over Winter Break!
27. North Face Travel Backpack
If the gift recipient carries around many stuff while traveling, a travel backpack could be a great gift.
This North Face Recon Backpack has the capacity to fit travel essentials wherever they go. It’s great for leisure, beach, or camping trips and is also the perfect size for carry-on baggage.
There are also multiple compartments and pockets like multi-use pockets for gadgets, a water bottle pocket, a laptop compartment, and so much more.
This can also be a great “baby bag” so that Dad can help Mom bring all the essentials for the kids while on travel!
Isn’t this a nice addition to your camping packing list?
28. Packing Cubes
These packing cubes are perfect for the men in your life who like to travel with an organized suitcase.
Packing cubes have become a major game changer when it comes to packing, especially if you want to travel light. They come in different sizes, making it easy to organize which clothes go to which cube.
Surprise your favorite traveler with this set that includes three mesh bags of varied sizes, a drawstring bag (to separate your dirty clothes later), a shoe bag, an underwear bag, and so much more!
The Perfect Experiential Travel Gift Ideas for Traveling Families
29. Hot Air Balloon Ride
Families who are frequent travelers would enjoy any fun and exciting travel experience – like this hot air balloon ride in Napa Valley.
You can book a tour for a family or give them a gift certificate so they can book and lock in the dates themselves.
Note that there are certain rules that they have to follow to be able to have this experience (i.e., height requirements for children and pregnant women not allowed), so make sure this is something that everyone in the family can enjoy.
30. FLYTOGRAPHER
One of my favorite experiential gifts is a photo shoot from Flytographer! It’s a service where you can book a photographer almost anywhere in the world.
It’s great because it’s all in English (even if you are booking a photo shoot in Paris), and you can select the photographers you would like to work with.
So far, we’ve used them in Paris, Maui, and in New York City.
Each time, our photographer gives us insider tips on where to eat, secret photo spots, and we always feel like we’ve made a friend.
I highly recommend giving a Flytographer photoshoot as a gift or requesting one for yourself!
31. GETAWAY TODAY
Finally, for the family who loves having fun together, you might consider splurging for tickets to Disneyland, Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, Knott’s Berry Farm, Walt Disney World, etc.
And if you know someone is going to Disneyland, you can get them Disney Character Dining!
Thanks to the Holiday Gift Guide sponsors who sent products for this guide. All opinions are my own, and my family truly enjoys each of these products.
Other Fun Gifts You Can Give
Paris-Themed Holiday Gift Guide for Children
Unique Disney Gift Ideas and Disney Gift Ideas for Babies
The Thomas Super Station Works with ALL Thomas Trains!
Transformers Bumblebee Toy Has Arrived at Fred Meyer!
Best Travel Toys for Toddlers
Budget-Friendly Gifts
Star Wars Gifts
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I love all of these ideas! My family have been traveling a lot more than I thought so this would be great for my kids!
It’s always nice to have a good distraction for them!
Oh I love these ideas! The toys are amazing, even I would have fun with them bored on a flight or car ride.
I know, right? I keep playing with the Squigz even when my kids aren’t with me š
Wow, I love all these stuffs for my kids, they are all beautiful and I am sure they will like it too.
Thanks! It took awhile to find everything and I’m still adding to my guide!
These are some really neat toys that I haven’t seen before. My kids would like these regardless of if we were travelling or not!
Thanks! I scoured the internet looking for products that are unique!
Wow that is a great bunch of games you have show cased up there–something for any age! As for me-I have no children and I do not travel BUT I am always cold in my apartment–I need that REVāPOD. Now that looks like it would keep me warm while sitting at my computer or in bed!
Yes! It’s so soft and cozy! I’m always freezing and it’s just the right thickness!
Is there a kid who doesn’t love a train set? I think every child in the world should have their own train set at some point, as it provides infinite hours of fun and boosts their imagination. Great other choices in this guide too!
My kids LOVE trains! It’s so good for building skills and using their creativity!
Totally putting a flytographer on my wish list!
It’s been so helpful for us!
These are some wonderful gift ideas for traveling families! Those buddyphones look super cute!
They come in lots of colors and prints!
Traveling together with the family is so much fun. I have never been to Lego land but I always wanted to visit. Such a wonderful place. I’m hoping to go next year and this would be perfect place to start!
LEGOLAND was definitely one of our favorite travel spots this year!
Nanoblock New York scene is something that my husband would really love. Yes, my husband, He is a kid at heart lol. I’ll have to check this out.
Oh totally! My husband is excited to build his!
We are going to travel with kids on this coming holiday and I think the buddy phone is the perfect gift to give to my nephew and niece.
Yes, everyone will appreciate it!
I have been keen to use FLytographer but have never actually come across anyone before who has actually used it. Also I love the little feminist kit!
Do it! They are so easy to work with and our photos always come out great!
We have several pairs of those headphones around the house, simply because they are SO perfect for kids!
Yay! My kids LOVE them!
I don’t have any kids myself but these are great gift ideas to keep the little ones busy during traveling. I will keep them in mind.
Glad to help!
Such great gift ideas!
Thanks! I think so too!
Yes! ME! I am a holiday gift guide junkie haha. I read them all because I never know what to get anyone so I love getting tips and feedback on products!
Haha! So am I! I love seeing what other people think is cool!
These are wonderful gifts! My kids are receiving the gift of travel this year – might add some of these things to their gifts…
Yes, these are perfect additions! And what lucky kiddos!
Nice! I love all these kinds of stuff for my kids, they are all very cool and I am sure they will like it too.
I tried to find some unique items!
I could totally see the earphones being a hit with my older three and the magnet station being a win for my younger two. We have several trips coming up with the family and need all the traveling tips/gadgets we can get!
You need ALL the stuff š
So many great travel gift ideas! I’m an adult and even I want some of these especially those Little Feminist magnets – so cute! ^^
Aren’t those magnets the best?
Awesome gift ideas! I really love that Ancient Wonders flip book. My 2 year old son is really into these types of books right now and I think he will love that!
My boys can’t get enough of that book!
I love the idea of those Buddy Phones! I have been looking for headphones for my oldest and these look great!
Check them out! They come in so many fun colors!
Our kids are pretty much grown now. Most of their toys have been moved out none . The wooden train pieces lives on in our house with all hours of memories.
Yes, wooden trains and tracks are timeless!