Summer vacation has been put off until further notice. The kids are disappointed, as are you. The grandparents won’t get to see the ever-growing, ever-changing little tykes until maybe Christmas at the earliest. But truth be told, deep down, you welcome the reprieve from all the planning, packing, coordinating, rushing, checking, and double-checking which ultimately leads to the same conclusion each time – there is still something you either forgot to pack, buy or include in your travel folder. Yes, it feels wonderful not to drag the suitcases out of storage, coordinate all your confirmation emails from airlines, hotels, car rentals, and all the other bureaucratic tedium which comes along with planning a family trip.
This is however not the time to relax. This is the time to get your affairs in order for the next big trip. So, let’s take this moment to make a must-have travel list of the most useful tools, gadgets, and travel accessories you will need to make your trip that much more successful.
Packing Cubes
Available on Taobao for RMB 41 to 238
I pride myself on being an excellent packer. If I feel the need to bring my wall unit along, I will most likely find a way to pack it safely and neatly into my luggage. But I am also a notorious over-packer and will stuff a suitcase to within an inch of its structural integrity. That’s where packing cubes come in. These little containers are designed to maximize space in suitcases, allowing you to ‘stuff’ more, and not have your suitcase explode on you mid-transit. They are also excellent for organizing your belongings, making it easy and fast to access specific cubes and items without everything spilling out.
Mountain Buggy Bagrider
Available on Taobao for RMB 329 – 3,736
Suitcases all packed, you arrive at the airport then the next phase of your nightmare begins. The kids decide to stage a daring break for it. You are stuck wondering whether to abandon your luggage to go in search of them or just call the whole thing quits. Simple solution: strap them to the suitcase! I don’t mean to lash them to the actual shell of the suitcase and have them dangling there, but to safely secure them on the top with the Buggy Bagrider. They get a free ride while you transit peacefully.
Primo LapBaby/Lap Baby Belt
Available on Taobao for RMB 271 – 616
You’ve checked in and have an hour or two to kill before your flight. You decide to treat yourself to a lovely meal since, well, plane food is just plain disgusting, but you can’t focus on your meal because your little one is fussing and refuses to sit still. Enter the Primo LapBaby belt. Strap your feisty tyke right into it, and they get to sit when you sit, leaving both hands free to enjoy your adult meal before your flight. It also makes a great alternative in cases where there is no booster seat and is doubly convenient in taxis or on trains to keep baby safe and strapped in.
Sea-Band
Available on Taobao for RMB 16 – 86
Your kids might get excited by the prospect of flying, but the pressure from taking off, sharp swoops, and turbulence is enough to make anyone lose their cookies on a flight (quite literally). If your child experiences motion sickness, it might be a good idea to include a set of these soft acupressure wristbands in your packing. They are less expensive than you might think, and clinically proven to help reduce nausea and motion sickness (as well as morning sickness, moms!). It will certainly go a long way in reducing the stress of flying and having to ask for another sick bag from flight attendants.
Jet Kids BedBox
Available on Taobao for RMB 385 to 1,380
Unless you and the kids are traveling business class, you will often have to contend with small, stiff economy seats that are a pain in the neck to sit in for hours at a time. It’s even worse for kids who are too big to hold on your lap but too small to enjoy whatever little benefits a reclined economy seat can offer. Whether a short or long haul flight or train ride, a Jet Kid Bedbox can be a trusty companion to help your child have a restful journey, allowing them to fully stretch out and sleep on a flat, comfortable surface. It can also be conveniently folded away, not taking up more space among your luggage than it needs to.
And from the essential to the fun…..
Mini-Projector
Available on Taobao for RMB 179 – 1,499
Every parent knows the pain of having to watch your child’s favorite show over and over again on the big screen. Travelling doesn’t make the demand for their fave show less. You have to consider packing your laptop just in case, along with all the attendant luggage when traveling with kids. Well, no more. With a mini-projector, all you need is your phone and a reliable wifi connection to stream anything you want. The hotel room wall or even the camp tent can be your very own movie theater screen, and you could even get one so small that it fits in your pocket.
KEEP READING: “Do You Think It’s Important for Children to Travel?”
Photos: Unsplash
This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 June issue
