The Travel Items We Bought Once and Now Take on Every Family Trip

When you travel as a family, there are two types of gear.

The first type seems like a good idea when you buy it but quietly disappears into a cupboard after one holiday.

The second type earns a permanent place in your bag.

Over the years we’ve found a handful of travel products that come with us almost every time we leave home. They aren’t flashy, expensive, or particularly exciting. But they solve real problems and make travelling with kids noticeably easier.

These are three travel items we bought once and now use on nearly every family holiday.

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1. Quick-Dry Travel Towels

Quick Verdict

If we could only pack one travel accessory beyond the basics, a lightweight quick-dry towel would be near the top of the list.

Why We Use It

A normal beach towel is bulky, takes forever to dry, and somehow always ends up damp when you need to pack it.

A good travel towel solves all three problems.

Whether we’re heading to the beach, swimming pool, waterpark, campground, or simply need an emergency towel in the car, a compact travel towel earns its place every time.

The biggest advantage isn’t actually the weight. It’s flexibility.

We’ve used ours as:

– Beach towels
– Picnic blankets
– Pool towels
– Emergency blankets for kids
– Seat covers after swimming
– Sun shade for prams and bags

Because they dry quickly, they’re often ready to use again within a couple of hours.

Our Recommended Option

The Nomadix Original Towel is one of the most popular travel towels on the market.

Why we like it:

– Made from recycled materials
– Lightweight and compact
– Dries quickly
– Large enough for beach use
– Family-friendly patterns available
– Well-established reputation among travellers

Pros

– Packs small
– Dries quickly
– Doesn’t stay damp in luggage
– Multipurpose
– Sustainable materials

Cons

– More expensive than a standard towel
– Not quite as plush as a full cotton beach towel

Best For

Families, campers, beach holidays, road trips and carry-on travellers.

Would We Buy It Again?

Absolutely.

This is one of those products that doesn’t seem essential until you’ve travelled with one.

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2. Small Travel Games in Tins

Quick Verdict

Few things provide more value per gram than a good travel game.

Why We Use Them

Anyone who has travelled with children knows there are countless small pockets of waiting.

Waiting for dinner.

Waiting at the airport.

Waiting for a ferry.

Waiting for everyone to finish eating while one child is already bored.

This is where small travel games shine.

We’ve found that games stored in metal tins are particularly useful because they survive being crushed in backpacks, dropped at playgrounds, and occasionally exposed to water or sand.

The best part is that they are small enough to live permanently in a handbag or daypack.

That means you always have entertainment available without planning ahead.

Our Favourite Options

Quiddler

A simple word game that works surprisingly well for both adults and older children.

Good for:

– Restaurants
– Accommodation evenings
– Rainy days

Gamewright Travel Games

Gamewright produces several compact travel games with strong family reviews.

Popular options include:

– Rat-a-Tat Cat
– Sleeping Queens
– Sushi Go Travel Editions

Micro Puzzles

Small puzzles packed into durable containers.

These are fantastic for:

– Airports
– Rainy afternoons
– Quiet accommodation time

Pros

– Extremely portable
– Durable storage
– Encourages family interaction
– No batteries required
– Useful for a wide age range

Cons

– Easy to lose pieces if used carelessly
– Younger children may need help learning rules

Best For

Families who travel frequently, road trips, restaurant entertainment and rainy-day activities.

Would We Buy It Again?

Without hesitation.

They take up almost no room and regularly save us from hearing “I’m bored” for the hundredth time.

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3. Stainless Steel Lunchboxes with Wooden Lids

Quick Verdict

One of the simplest upgrades we’ve made to family travel.

Why We Use It

Travelling with kids almost always involves food.

Whether it’s beach snacks, road trip lunches, playground picnics or airport meals, having a reusable container makes life easier.

After trying various plastic containers over the years, we found ourselves gravitating toward stainless steel lunchboxes with wooden lids.

The design is simple but surprisingly practical.

The stainless steel container is durable and easy to clean.

The wooden lid doubles as a small chopping board or serving surface.

Many models include a silicone seal that helps reduce leaks during transport.

Recommended Options

Black + Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box

One of the best-known premium options.

Features:

– Stainless steel construction
– Sustainable bamboo lid
– Silicone seal
– Durable design

EcoLunchbox

Well regarded for sustainability and family-friendly products.

Features:

– Plastic-free construction
– Long-lasting materials
– Strong environmental focus

Pros

– Durable
– Easy to clean
– Less plastic use
– Multipurpose lid
– Ideal for picnics and road trips

Cons

– Heavier than plastic alternatives
– Premium models can be expensive

Best For

Road trips, family picnics, beach days and everyday travel.

Would We Buy It Again?

Yes.

Ours get used both at home and while travelling, which is usually a sign we’ve bought something worthwhile.

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Final Thoughts

Most travel gear isn’t life-changing.

The products that stay with us year after year tend to be the simple ones that quietly solve everyday problems.

A quick-dry towel saves space.

A travel game keeps kids entertained.

A quality lunchbox makes meals easier.

None of them are particularly glamorous, but all three have earned a permanent place in our travel kit.

And when you’re travelling with kids, that’s usually the highest compliment a product can receive.