Holiday gift guide: Family travel picks
Amid the flurry of holiday preparations and parties, you may be thinking about the children on your Christmas or Hanukkah gift lists. Here at TPG, we love these cool gifts for your kids (and you) that you can slip under the tree and pack on your next family vacation.
When you travel with a family, you don't just need more stuff — you need the right stuff. These are our favorite holiday presents that go the extra mile.
Related: How to maximize holiday shopping
Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Markers
The best gift and travel tools don't have to be expensive. These mess-free markers are perfect for travel as they don't leave a mark on anything other than the special paper that's sold with the set (so there's no risk of your toddler drawing on a $100 million plane). Use them in flight, on the train, in the car or at the restaurant. Pro tip: These sets are less than $10, so pick up several because you'll be surprised how popular they are once your little artist starts coloring.
To buy: Amazon.com
Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet (Amazon)
OK, here's the thing: Unless you always fly JetBlue with seatback screens at every seat, you may eventually need to bring your own online entertainment device. Truthfully, iPads are king in my house, but they are also quite expensive. If you aren't ready to have your kids graduate to a device worth hundreds of dollars, such as an iPad, a good compromise might be the Fire HD8 Kids Edition Tablet that comes with a sturdy kid-proof case (pick your color); a year of FreeTime Unlimited (apps, games, videos and content from PBS Kids, Nickelodeon and Disney); and a more palatable price tag than you'll find from Apple. There's also a two-year, risk-free guarantee in case it breaks, so no worries about tossing it in your kid's travel backpack.
If you or your kids are familiar with the iPad, this device can seem a little tough to navigate, but kids have a knack for figuring things out. If you don't need all of the kid features, you can also opt for a regular Fire and get a case for traveling.
To buy: Amazon.com
Away Kids Carry-On
The earlier you get your kids to take charge of their own bags, the better. No one wants to serve as the family pack mule for longer than absolutely necessary. The Away Kids Carry-On is kid-sized -- perfect from about 3 years old until the age of 9 or 10. You can certainly use the kids carry-on into adulthood, but by the time your child is approaching middle school, getting the regular Away Carry-On is likely fine.
The kids' version has a handy charging battery to keep those travel devices up and running (see above), and it comes in eight colors. It also has a 100-day, money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty against breakage.
To buy: Away.com
Related: TPG review of the Kids' Away Carry-On
Anker Powercore portable charger
Travel families usually pack lots of devices. Whether you're heading out on a road trip or camping trip or you are seated on an aircraft without power outlets (ahem, Southwest), you need backup power solutions. For the family that shares, this charging device has the ability to power up an iPhone multiple times and even a MacBook a few times.
To buy: Amazon.com
Kids Headphones Bluetooth Wireless
If you've had it with cords, swap your kid's old headphones for a bluetooth pair. These headphones comes in bright, fun colors and easily pair with Bluetooth-friendly devices with about six hours of battery life. You can also use them with a traditional audio jack without relying on a battery. The headphones have a maximum volume of 85 dB and fold up to fit in your kid's travel bag. If you really don't want or need Bluetooth functionality, here's a different pair of affordable, kid-friendly headphones.
To buy: Amazon.com
Everywhere USA Scratch-Off Map
Travel is educational even if you don't look at a map, but it can be extra fun (and yes, educational) to work a map into the experience. This U.S. map lets your kids scratch off where they have been to track their travel adventures and maybe accidentally pick up a smattering of geography along the way.
To buy: Amazon.com
Boogie Board Play n' Trace
You need one of these in your life. This pen- and marker-free drawing board is a bit bulky for travel, but once we went somewhere with Grandma and she had one, I realized it's definitely worth the space since it's noise-free, mess-free and the kids fully dig it. Keeping track of the drawing stick is a bit of a pain, but the Play 'n Trace is a plane- and restaurant-friendly tool that you'll never want to leave at home.
To buy: Amazon.com
eBags packing cubes
Packing cubes are God's gift to families with multiple kids. Charlie gets green, Cassie gets pink and Carter gets blue. Load the kids' clothes into their color-coded packing cubes and toss all the cubes into a bag. You can use the different-sized bags for various types of clothing. Other families like to mix all the clothes together and use a cube for each day of the trip so everyone's clothes for Saturday are in the blue bag, Sunday is the green bag, etc. Seriously, buy some. They are life-changing.
To buy: eBags.com
RFID-blocking multipassport holder
I don't care if you have Clear, Global Entry, NEXUS, TSA PreCheck and a magic wand: Getting the whole family and everyone's documents through immigration is stressful -- especially with little children -- and parents have the honor of managing all the forms and passports. Get something that helps you keep all the passports together. On a recent international trip, this little holder was perfect for all four of our passports, a pen and the forms and we even tucked in some "emergency cash" and a credit card.
To buy: Amazon.com
Colugo Stroller
When you have to bring a stroller on your travels, there's usually a tradeoff. It can be compact enough to fit in the overhead bin or it can be spacious enough to have storage. It can have a variety of features or it may require a degree from Ikea to make it collapse. We are (thank goodness) past the stroller phase 99% of the time, but if I were in the market for a travel stroller, this Colugo would be at the top of my list.
Colugo is relatively lightweight, collapses into an overhead bin size (17 inches x 24 inches x 10 inches) and has underseat storage. It comes in a variety of colors and there's an optional infant kit, making it pretty customizable to your specific needs. The stroller can even be used and collapsed with one hand and has a sunshade that actually blocks the sun.
Now, if you want to go off-roading or have the biggest and comfiest stroller for your older toddlers and preschoolers, this might not be it, but for airport runs, sidewalks and trips to visit the family, this looks pretty great.
To buy: HiColugo.com
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.