Our family travel gear
The gear that has survived four military moves, two years of Hawaii beach days, and a lot of travel days with three kids and a puppy. Nothing fancy, just what we actually reach for.
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Beach days with little kids
Two years of Oahu beach days with a baby taught us what actually earns a spot in the bag.
Read our full Oahu beach bag list- Beach tent with UPF 50+ shadeStakes and guy lines for wind, mesh sides for naps.View on Amazon: Beach tent with UPF 50+ shade
- Beach umbrella with sand anchor8 ft, tilts with the sun.View on Amazon: Beach umbrella with sand anchor
- Mineral reef-safe kids sunscreenZinc oxide, labeled Hawaii Act 104 compliant.View on Amazon: Mineral reef-safe kids sunscreen
- Long-sleeve rash guardUPF 50+, less sunscreen to fight over.View on Amazon: Long-sleeve rash guard
- Baby sun hat with neck flapUPF 50+ with a drawstring.View on Amazon: Baby sun hat with neck flap
- Reusable swim diapersPick the size on the product page.View on Amazon: Reusable swim diapers
- Toddler water shoesFor rocky, coral-mixed beaches.View on Amazon: Toddler water shoes
- Puddle-jumper swim vestFor kids 20–30 lb. Stay within arm’s reach.View on Amazon: Puddle-jumper swim vest
- Collapsible sand toys with mesh bagBuckets fold flat to pack.View on Amazon: Collapsible sand toys with mesh bag
- Sand-free beach blanketSand slides right off.View on Amazon: Sand-free beach blanket
- Quick-dry beach towels4-pack, shakes out sand-free.View on Amazon: Quick-dry beach towels
- Beach wagon with big wheelsAll-terrain wheels roll on sand.View on Amazon: Beach wagon with big wheels
- Soft cooler backpackHands free for the kids.View on Amazon: Soft cooler backpack
- Waterproof phone pouch2-pack, one for each parent.View on Amazon: Waterproof phone pouch
Flying and road trips with kids
What gets three kids (and a puppy) through airports, long drives, and PCS travel days.
Read our travel day kit- Hiking child carrierSunshade and plenty of storage.View on Amazon: Hiking child carrier
- Soft baby carrierNewborn to toddler; hands-free through security.View on Amazon: Soft baby carrier
- Lightweight travel strollerAbout 11.6 lb, one-hand fold.View on Amazon: Lightweight travel stroller
- Padded car seat travel bagBackpack straps for the airport.View on Amazon: Padded car seat travel bag
- Kids headphones with volume limitCaps at 85 dB; siblings can share audio.View on Amazon: Kids headphones with volume limit
- Kid-proof tablet caseHandle, strap and stand. Check your iPad model.View on Amazon: Kid-proof tablet case
- Spill-proof snack spinnerKids pick a snack without dumping the rest.View on Amazon: Spill-proof snack spinner
- Folding travel potty seatTurns any public toilet kid-size.View on Amazon: Folding travel potty seat
- Packing cubesOne cube per kid for quick changes.View on Amazon: Packing cubes
- Diaper backpackBuilt-in changing pad.View on Amazon: Diaper backpack
PCS and moving supplies
Four homes since 2014. These are the supplies we keep on hand for every military move.
Read our PCS supplies guide- Color-coded moving labels12 rooms plus fragile stickers.View on Amazon: Color-coded moving labels
- Tape gun with 6 rollsFor anything you pack yourself.View on Amazon: Tape gun with 6 rolls
- Chisel-tip permanent markersYou’ll lose a few during pack-out.View on Amazon: Chisel-tip permanent markers
- Small zip bags for hardwareWrite the furniture name on the label block.View on Amazon: Small zip bags for hardware
- Heavy-duty trash bagsOur hanging-clothes trick.View on Amazon: Heavy-duty trash bags
- Expandable TV moving boxFits 32–70" screens, foam included.View on Amazon: Expandable TV moving box
- Accordion file organizerFor orders, receipts and records.View on Amazon: Accordion file organizer
- Sheet protectorsFor a 3-ring PCS binder.View on Amazon: Sheet protectors
- Fireproof document bagYour hand-carry document bag.View on Amazon: Fireproof document bag
- Heavy-duty storage binsStackable 27-gallon bins.View on Amazon: Heavy-duty storage bins
- Moving blanketsFor a personally procured move.View on Amazon: Moving blankets
Traveling with a puppy
Puddles joined us in Virginia, so road trips have a new passenger.
More in our travel day kit- Soft travel dog crateFolds flat for car rides and hotels.View on Amazon: Soft travel dog crate
- Hard-bottom dog seat coverProtects the seat, stable footing.View on Amazon: Hard-bottom dog seat cover
- Collapsible dog bowlsClip onto a bag for rest stops.View on Amazon: Collapsible dog bowls
