Travel Loot

Get Excited, Kids: 15 Travel-Friendly Gifts for Little Globetrotters

by Jeralyn Gerba
Lotus The highly portable Lotus Travel Crib.

Keep the family on the move! This assortment of toys, accessories, and gear make great gift ideas for globetrotting kids and the grown-ups who travel with them.

Public Bikes


Public Bikes Kid Balance

We've seen these sweet pedal-free bikes all over cycle-friendly cities like Berlin and Amsterdam. Littles can get the hang of a two-wheeler before jumping to the real-deal. ($139)


Fanny at Chez Panisse


Fanny at Chez Panisse

Food phenom Alice Waters runs her famous Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, with her big group of friends. The adventures of her daughter give a fun peek into life of a real restaurant, while recipes focus on great ingredients and simple preparation. ($15)


Seedling Kits


Seedling Easy-to-Pack Playtime Kits

It's never too early to practice playing with chopsticks or get them ready for that family trip to Japan. Perfect for pre-schoolers. ($16)

Zuzi Shoes


Zuzi Suede Boots 

Handmade toddler shoes from California are minimally designed for maximal comfort. ($58)


Plan Toys


Plan Toys Camera

Little babes love gnawing on the ecofriendly toy body. Toddlers get a kick out of the kaleidoscope lens. Everybody smiles for the camera. ($13.50)

Lotus Travel Crib


Lotus Travel Crib

If you have to schlep a crib when you travel, you can't go wrong with the slender, portable, chic version from Guava Family. It packs down to the size of a small suitcase, is great for sleeping and play, has the ability to turn into a bassinet, and has a cool zip-up mesh door on the side for easy access to baby. ($194)


Palm Springs Playset


Palm Springs Playhouse

West Coast dreamers of all sizes can fit into this desert pop-up in the mid-century style. Well made and a nice alternative to the teepee playroom trend. ($169)


Kindhood


Kindhood Poncho

After a day at the beach or pool, kids will be cozy, warm, and dry in one of these adorable (and stylish) terry cloth smocks. It's the kind of kiddie wardrobe piece that keeps on giving. ($57)


Landscape Blocks


Tree Hopper Two-Sided Landscape Blocks

A handful of graphic blocks are easy to pack and play with in tight spaces (we're looking at you, middle seat in coach). ($40)


Fly Safe Harness


Fly Safe Harness

This is one of those necessities you only learn about the hard way. When you need to keep a spirited toddler in the plane seat, you will thank your lucky stars that you have this nifty aviation harness. It's super easy to set up and gives kids the illusion that they are in a car seat. They'll stay safe and stay put. A win for everyone on the plane. ($70)


Clare Crespo


Hurray Today Calendar

Artist Clare Crespo's big, bold, beautiful, poster-sizer calendar with "not so standard" days of observance and celebration, moon phases, and lots of cartoon snacks. ($40)


CitixFamily Travel Guides

Citi x Family Travel Guides

A slim addition to your cool, comprehensive guides to family fun in big cities: London, Paris, New York, San Francisco. Included in the set are games, colorful maps, recommendations from local parents, and postcards. ($10)


S'mores


S'more the Merrier Campfire Set

Just think of the pretend possibilities! So many stories to tell, songs to sing, and fake food to cook at your kid's next camp-themed slumber party. ($55)


Petit Puzzle


Petit Collage Puzzle

Teach them their east from their west with a sturdy jumbo floor puzzle of the world. Pieces are big and bold for little hands. ($18)

Minois Bubble Bath


Minois Paris Bubble Bath

Mom and infant can relax together in a foamy bath enhanced with organic honey and orange blossom. ($30)


Keep On Reading

We have so many more ideas for gifts that give back, ideas for globetrotting foodies, the best travel books of the year, essentials for frequent flyers, gadgets and inspiration for adventure travelers, and unique finds for armchair travelers.

We make every effort to ensure the information in our articles is accurate at the time of publication. But the world moves fast, and even we double-check important details before hitting the road.