Whether they are planning their first trip away or are regular jet-setters, we have put together a list of some of the best – and most useful – travel gift ideas for kids. Aimed at keeping them entertained as well as helping make their journey as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, these items are must haves for kids on the move!
Travel Gift Ideas for Kids – Travel Gear
Kids’ Travel Suitcase
There are so many super cute and trendy travel suitcases for kids. If they are young, one of the ride-on versions can be a lifesaver in airports and, for older teens, there are some pretty stylish ones too.
Toiletry Set
When you are constantly on the move, not every place will have cute little shampoo and conditioner sets kids can use. A small and fun toiletry set of their own filled with miniature cleaning items and their toothbrush is a great travel gift idea for kids.
Collapsable / Reusable Metal Straw
Travelling around and grabbing drinks on the go means a reusable (and collapsable) metal straw is not only super useful and fun, but it is good for the environment too!
A Spork
Show me a traveller who doesn’t love a spork! For those who aren’t in the know, these cleverly designed camping utensils are a combination fork, spoon and knife. You can even get them personalised!
Backpack
A backpack where they can store all of their own personal things is a must-have for kids who love to travel. Filled with books, pens, camera, snacks, and a favourite toy, this will be a lifesaver most days.
Microfibre Towel
Microfibre towels are the ultimate travel accessory the whole family will benefit from. Lightweight and small, they soak up water super quick, but then dry even faster. They can also be rolled down to a very small packing size.
Travel Pillow & Eye Mask
It’s not always ideal to drag a full-sized pillow along on a trip, but it’s still important (and will make a big difference to how pleasant life may be the next day) for your child to get a good rest. Travel pillows and eye mean they can comfortably rest their head and get some sleep, even in an upright position in daylight.
Kids Air Tag Bracelet
Kids will think they look trendy, but for parents it is an added peace of mind that will allow them to keep track of kids who may like to wander in busy areas.
Sleeping Bag
A super light-weight but warm sleeping bag is a great gift for kids who love to travel – especially if they love camping. Depending on their age and interests, there are a range of fun themed bags you can buy for them.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
They will love you for this (and you will love yourself too!) as kids will be able to listen to music and maybe watch a movie during some down time without sharing with everyone else around them at the same time.
Water Bottle
Water bottles are the one staple parents usually make sure their children have, regardless whether they are at home or travelling. A personalised one that is decorated in the theme of where they are going is a great idea.
Crocs
Yes, I went there. Love them or hate them, Crocs are actually a very sensible footwear idea for kids who travel a lot. They are weatherproof, hardy and (for some, at least) a fashion statement.
Bag Tags
This sounds a little simple, but there are a lot of different personalised and fun bag tags you can buy for kids. Help them spot their luggage super quick with their very own tags.
Aqua Shoes
If you are travelling near rock pools or creeks, a pair of aqua shoes will come in super handy for protecting kids’ feet from getting some sharp cuts.
Snack Box
This could be as simple as a compartment lunch box,. Fill these up with a range of different snack treats and kids can munch away on this throughout the day without constantly calling out to you that they are hungry.
Passport Holder
If they really are world jet-setters, their own personalised and very stylish passport holder is the perfect gift. It will make it easy to know at a glance whose passport is whose, as well as make them easier to locate.
Travel Gift Ideas for Kids – Technology
Kindle
If your child loves to read books but you are trying to travel as light as possible, a kindle is the perfect travel gift to give them. Just like their own portable library, load it up with all of their favourite books and help make those long travel days more enjoyable for everyone.
Drone
There are a million different types of drones out there that are not super expensive and can easily be navigated by children. Help them view new places from a completely different angle while also recording videos of the whole family together.
iPad / Tablet
An iPad / tablet is actually one of the best travel hacks you can gift your children. Sure, you want them to be away from devices when exploring the world, but with one of these kids can read books, watch movies, play games, and do research while travelling between spots. They can also use them to take photos and videos – and edit them too!
GoPro
For the action-packed travelling teen, a GoPro is a sure-fire winner of a gift. They will love recording their pursuits in the water and on the land and showing off their daredevils skills to anyone who cares to watch the footage back later.
Bluetooth Speaker
Kids, especially teens, will enjoy listening to their favourite tunes – no matter where you are!
Underwater Camera
An underwater camera for kids is a wonderful gift for those days at the beach or swimming in the creeks. Helping them to capture what they discover below the water’s surface, as well as on top!
Mini Travel Projector
A super cool gift idea, a mini travel projector can make you feel like you are at the movies – no matter where you are in the world. Connect to your phone or via a USB or HDMI cable, then sit back and relax as your video is projected onto the nearest flat surface.
Travel Gift Ideas for Kids – Outdoors
Mini Kite
Tiny and easy to pack into luggage, on a windy day a small travel kite will be loved by kids in any location.
Hiking Boots
For kids that love to go hiking, a pair of special hiking boots is most practical and perfect gift you can get them.
Compass
This is perfect for kids and teens who like to get out and about in the great outdoors.
Kids Snorkel Set
Set your kids up to discover all the wonderful sea life that lives just below the surface with a snorkel and flippers set!
Camping Chair
A fantastic travel gift idea for kids who travel a lot and go camping is their own camping chair. Whether they are by a tent, on the beach, or in a park, a small foldable chair perfect for their size will constantly be used.
Walkie Talkies
They may only be standing 1 metre away from each other (hidden behind a tree), but all kids young and old LOVE walkie talkies. Although most have access to phones now, give a child a walkie talkie and that smart device is long forgotten.
Totem Tennis / Soccer
This is a simple gift that just requires a quick stab in the ground and you have a game that can be played without sending balls flying across into other people’s tents. The best part is at the end of your trip you can simply lift it out of the ground, take it home, and set it up again in your own backyard.
Bike / Scooter
If your idea of travel includes a lot of nights camping, a bike or scooter will be a much-loved travel gift and a must-have for any child who plans to join the local campground crew on their daily ritual of circling the tent site and waving to their parents each time they pass. With so many amazing bike paths to explore at camping hotspots around Australia – this is a wonderful gift.
Junior Kayak
For any families that love their water sports and enjoy camping near rivers, lakes, creeks or oceans, a junior kayak for the kids will not go unused!
Beach Cricket Set
Combine their love of cricket with an ocean view. A beach cricket set will be something the whole family can enjoy together.
Body Board
A great travel gift idea for kids who love the ocean is a body board. Helping them gain confidence with the waves as they enjoy time at the beach with family makes this a win-win gift idea for nature-loving kids.
Beach Bucket and Spade
What kid doesn’t love building sandcastles on the beach and collecting shells? A traditional bucket and spade beach kit is the perfect gift for a child who is travelling to different tropical destinations (lucky kids!).
Binoculars
What better way to encourage curiosity and exploration in a new environment for kids than with the gift of binoculars?! Helping them to spot things they may not have been able to see otherwise, kids love to see what creatures they can spot in greater detail with a pair of these.
Kids Fishing Rod
If your kid loves getting out in nature and camping, then chances are they may love to go fishing too. BCF sell some awesome kids fishing reels to get them started.
Torch
It’s a simple outdoor explorer tool to help them spot those nocturnal animals!
Travel Gift Ideas for Kids – Educational
World Globe
We love the idea of a world globe for kids. Get them excited about travel and educate them on the places they have dreamt of too. There are also some pretty awesome globe lamps that kids would love!
Scratch Map
Scratch maps are all the rage when it comes to kids having a little fun with their ‘been to’ displays. Each time they travel to a new spot, they can scratch that place off on their giant map (Aussie or world map) so that the places they have been are highlighted with colour.
Travel Guides
Small pocket travel guides to the area in which you are travelling are a great way to educate and also get your child interested in what they may be about to explore.
Travel Gift Ideas for Kids – Boredom Busters
Fidget Toys
Cheap, small and easy to carry, fidget toys will also keep little hands busy on long road and plane trips.
An Experience Gift
A great travel gift idea for kids is to research the place they are visiting and look into buying them an experience they can do while there. Consider a treetop challenge, a paddle-boat ride, or even a day at a local zoo.
Activity Books
Activity books are a no brainer. Whether they like crosswords, drawing, colour-in, word searches, or dot-to-dot, activity books are filled with wonderful ways to pass the time when you are travelling between destinations.
Card Games
Card games are a necessity for families who travel often. Kids may pretend they would rather be out on their bike or exploring, but, when things quieten down at the end of the day or late at night after dinner, card games are an absolute blessing.
Travel Board Games
As with card games, down time while travelling is the perfect opportunity to bring the family back to some old school family entertainment. You can even get a range of travel-sized board games (which kids love simply because all the pieces and characters are miniature).
Sketch Book
A wonderful gift idea for any little budding artist, a sketch book will help them capture the scenery of their new location through their own eyes.
Travel Journal
Travel journals are a great way to encourage children to document and write about their experiences while out and about. They are wonderful to look back on in later years too.
Magnetic Games
When you are on the move (literally), playing games with little pieces becomes near impossible. There are now a range of games and activity sets that are magnetised, making them ideal travel gift ideas for kids.
If you enjoyed this list you may also like:
Join the conversation