Product recommendations: Summer travel with the kids

We recently returned from two amazing, back-to-back vacations.  We visited the Dominican Republic, came home for a week, and then jetted off to Florida for our first family visit to Walt Disney World.  I have been itching to write about our adventures and especially the awesome products that helped keep us and our kids happy and sane.

Here is a run-down of some fantastic products that are perfect for traveling with kids.  Whether we were gifted with some of the items or if we purchased them, the following are our own, honest opinions.  We hope you’ll find these products just as useful as we have.

Plum Tots

On my mission to find travel-friendly food items for the baby, I discovered Plum Organics.  I purchased about a dozen packs of Plum Tots fruit “mish mash” blends for our 11 month old.  Little did I know how handy these travel-friendly packs would be.  I threw these into the diaper bag, along with a disposable spoon and whenever we were at the pool for the afternoon or a not-so-kid-friendly restaurant, I squeezed some of the organic fruit puree onto the spoon and voila, the baby was a happy camper.

MD Moms Baby Silk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes – 30 SPF

These soft, sweat-proof sunscreen towelettes are a must-have.  There were so many instances on our two sunny vacations when we didn’t have one of our bottles or sticks of sunscreen readily available and we wanted to re-apply sunscreen.  These baby silk babysafe sunscreen towelettes were a godsend.  There is enough sunscreen in one wipe to completely cover a baby or kid from head-to-toe.  A big pat on the back for the MD Moms for these indispensable sunscreen wipes.

FruitziO

We love, love, love the new FruitziO freeze-dried fruit snacks from Crispy Green.  We brought several packs of these 100-calorie healthy snacks with us on our vacations and both the kids and adults enjoyed them immensely.  It was nice to have a handy, healthy snack along where it was quite easy to indulge in treats that are not-so-good for you (like those all-you-can-eat 24 hour buffets).

ColourCollection from Goody (new!)

If you have girls, then you already know that Goody products are a staple.  We were sent Goody’s new ColourCollection hair accessories and have been making extremely good use of them.  When we were in the Dominican Republic, the ouchless hair ties, Ribbon Weave Gentle Elastics and snap clips helped tame our humidity-struck locks.  In Florida, the above Goody products helped keep our hair up and out of the way as we braved the 100+ degree heat.

Trunki

I can’t tell you how many glances, giggles and compliments we have gotten about Trunki (and how many adults wish they could have ride-on luggage, too!).  That’s not the only reason we like her, she’s been an incredible  travel companion for our preschooler.  Inside of this kid-friendly luggage, we tucked everything she needed to feel safe and entertained away from home and we were able to pull her while she rode on Trunki through the airport.  We couldn’t have made a better decision in a carry-on for our little one.

Bendaroos

We were gifted with a box of “Fun Food” Bendaroos and admittedly, when I opened the box, I was unimpressed with this product.  I had different expectations on the quality of these bendable, wax-covered pieces of yarn BUT my 4-1/2 yr old LOVES THEM.  That, to me, is more important than my initial disappointment.  I like activities that the kids can do with their hands and minds.  They provide hours of entertainment for the kids and make a great travel activity.

Pipila

The Pipila, a portable pacifier (and nipple) sanitizer was a product that I used religiously on our trip to The Dominican Republic.  There were signs right on the faucet in our suite that read, “don’t drink the water”.  So, the last thing I wanted to do was wash the baby’s pacifiers or nipples with it.  I rinsed them a bit with bottled water and then 6 minutes in the Pipila and they were 99.9% sterilized.  This product worked like a charm.

butt-ums up baby Diaper Changing Pad

Now that I’ve been there, done that (ie: traveling via flights with kids), I can attest to the use one gets out of this product.  I would have been lost without the butt-ums up baby diaper changing pad.  I used it on the plane (in the bathroom and while in my seat!), at the pool, in the stroller and in many baby changing stations around Walt Disney World.

Baby Banz

This company knows all about warm weather.   Baby Banz is an Australian based company that specializes in UV protection for babies and kids.  We were gifted with the items pictured above.  The one piece, UV Banz swimwear is for babies 0-24 months, UPF 50+.  There is a front zipper and zipper closure on the leg inseam for easy diaper changes.  Baby Banz is known for their baby and kid’s sunglasses (and accessories).  Do not pass up this company when you’re shopping for sun protection for your kids.  We highly recommend Baby Banz.

SecuraTrac

We took the SecuraPAL (Personal Automated Locator) along with us on our trip to Disney World.  I will soon post my detailed review of how we used this GPS tracking device with our preschooler as we braved the crowds at the parks.  SecuraTrac offers a very smart, tech-savvy way to keep those you love from getting lost.  We also very highly recommend this product (SecuraPal) and service (SecuraTrac).  Check out a demonstration of this service.

Little Honey Bug Repellent Bands

These things are freaking awesome. We were surrounded by flying, blood-sucking insects while we were out of the country and then when we came back into the country.  When they started to attack, we just set out one of these 100% Natural Bug Repellent Bands near us and suddenly, our blood was of no interest.  We have many more summer nights where we’ll be prime targets for those nasty mosquitoes, therefore, we will have plenty more bug bands on hand.  It’s a no brainer.

Vincent Shoes

We’re long time fans of Vincent Shoes.  I have trusted the quality and durability of their kid’s shoes and they have not let me down.  Tor (pictured above) proved to be worthy of keeping my preschooler on her feet on wet, stamped concrete walkways and while running to and fro around Walt Disney World.  Did I mention they have ridiculously awesome sales all of the time?  Well, they do.  So check out Vincent Shoes.

Britax Blink Stroller

I can’t say enough good things about this lightweight stroller.  We take our Britax Blink everywhere with us.  This stroller has been through airports, checked at gates, folded and unfolded to transport on and off trams, through security, on bumpy, stamped-cement walkways, in and out of elevators, all over Disney World, etc.  No complaints from the 11 month old.  No complaints from the parents.  This stroller is a must-have.