It’s 2025—Here Are the New Must-Haves for Traveling with Kids

It’s 2025, and let’s face it—the heat hits differently these days. Whether you’re heading to a beach resort, exploring a new playspace in another city, or just flying out for a quick weekend getaway, traveling with kids now comes with new challenges. 

Gone are the days when a few snacks and a tablet were enough. Today’s family travel gear needs to be smarter, cooler (literally), and ready for anything. Staying comfortable, safe, and organized is more important than ever. Here's a curated list of family travel must-haves packed with practical, experience-tested items that are especially useful for today's travel environment.

Family travel must-haves: For babies and kids

1. Baby floater

Don't forget a reliable, safe baby floater if you're headed somewhere with a pool or beach. Brands like Mambo Baby offer air-free floaters with added head and neck support for infants and toddlers. It uses solid polymer foam material that helps stabilize the float. 

Buy Mambo Baby on Lazada

2. Nasal spray

Never leave home without a pediatrician-endorsed nasal spray for your baby. It helps decongest their nose, making them less fussy and helps them breathe easily, especially during cold weather. For newborns, Nosefrida offers a set of nasal spray with nasal aspirator and hygiene filter refills. Humer is a good brand for bigger babies, but it only comes in 150 mL bottles.

Buy Nosefrida on Lazada

3. Age-appropriate busy toys and books

Teething and traveling? These soft books from Indestructibles are a lifesaver for babies during long rides or flights. They're chew-proof, rip-proof, washable, and completely non-toxic—perfect for curious mouths and busy little hands.

Buy Indestructibles Book on Lazada

This cute Insect Sucker Spinner toy can also keep your little one busy during a long car ride. Just attach it on your car's window, and let your child play and have fun with it.

Buy this Insect Sucker Spinner on Lazada

For toddlers, the Splash Scoopers and Nesting Cups from Sensory Splash Club will keep them entertained. Whether you're by the beach, in a hotel tub, or on a picnic, these colorful, stackable, and pourable toys are easy to pack and clean.

Buy Sensory Splash Club on Lazada

For preschoolers, this 3x3 inch mini coloring book is perfect for older toddlers and kids who love to draw, imagine, and tell stories. With open-ended prompts and 50 sheets of fun, Playdate Pet Pals Pocket Adventure is a great screen-free option for flights, road trips, or quiet time at restaurants.

Buy Playdate Pet Pals on Lazada

4. Rechargeable portable fan

Trust us, a handheld fan is not enough if you are going on a beach trip or somewhere warm. A rechargeable fan with a long battery life is a must. This OPOLAR fan has a 10,000 mAH battery that can last for 24 hours. It has USB-C and micro USB ports, offering a 10-watt charging speed, which is 50% faster than others. It gets fully charged within six hours. It features a robust clamp, ideal for strollers, camping, and travel.

Buy OPOLAR on Lazada

5. Complete hygiene set 

Perfect for parents who can't afford to forget anything, Theodore's Travel Kit is a worthwhile purchase. This set of five travel essentials contains a Travel Germ Killer, to protect you from any airborne and surface bacteria; Poofume and Peedom, to give you that peace of mind in any bathroom; Stain Remover to undo some accidental mishaps; and Clean Hands to effectively wash away all the bacteria while keeping your hands silky soft. A must-have for every family member!

Buy the Theodore's Travel Kit on Lazada

6. Car pillow

This car pillow can help bigger kids sleep more comfortably during long car rides. It supports the kid's head to relieve fatigue and is made of washable and safe materials.

Buy car pillow on Lazada

7. Compression packing cubes

These space-saving cubes help organize clothes by person or category. Buy a set of four packing cubes in a different color for each family member from BASH Manila—it makes unpacking at your destination quicker and tidier.

Buy BASH Cubes on Lazada

8. Insulated water bottle

Keep drinks cold for hours, especially in warmer climates or for long outdoor excursions. One of Smart Parenting's recommended brands of water bottles for kids is b.box, which can keep liquids cool for 8 hours and warm for up to 6 hours!

Buy b.box Insulated Drink Bottle on Lazada

9. Tablet with kid-proof case + downloaded content

Load tablets with parent-approved apps, such as Khan Academy Kids, movies, eBooks, and games. A sturdy case with a stand or handle helps little ones use tablets safely. 

Buy this iPad case on Lazada

Another tip: create a Spotify playlist specific for your trip! Aside from their usual favorites, add these Filipino songs by Lino Lina, which promote Filipino language, culture, and good values. Check out their song, "Magandang Araw" on YouTube:

Another option: Podcasts for kids!

10. Durable and easy-to-access essentials bags

A sleek and durable essentials bag is a must-have for traveling, not just for kids but especially for parents. It can fit the items you really need on hand, like passports, snacks, and power banks, so you can focus on the more important things.

For parents of babies and young kids, this R.O.A.M. bag is a recommended light and easy everyday bag.

Buy R.O.A.M bags on their website

For kids, this LÄSSIG backpack is made from top-quality and eco-friendly materials. It offers height-adjustable shoulder straps with a chest strap, and a name label to avoid mix-ups. The outer material is water-repellant to keep their favorite things dry no matter the weather.

Buy LÄSSIG backpack on Lazada

Final tip

If you can afford it, pack your bags a few days before the trip to see what fits, and ensure your essentials are easily accessible. Traveling with kids might not always be perfect, but it can be more enjoyable, safer, and more memorable with these smart items.

Safe travels and happy adventures, Smart Parenting fam!

For other essentials such as swimsuits, sunscreen, and sandals, shop at Robinsons Department Store branches nationwide and online stores to enjoy up to 50% off on select items. You can also get 0% interest for a minimum single-receipt purchase of P3,000 using your credit card. You also get a chance to win a free vacation for two to Boracay or a Honda Beat 2025 Motorcycle when you shop using Salmon Financial Services. Check out the catalogue here.