Every family has bought travel gear that looked like a brilliant idea in the shop…
…only for it to disappear into a cupboard after one holiday.
Then there are the products that quietly become part of every trip.
They aren’t always expensive.
They aren’t always the newest gadgets.
But they solve real problems and make travelling with kids noticeably easier.
Over the years we’ve found a handful of travel items that have earned a permanent place in our packing list. Whether we’re heading away for a weekend, a beach holiday or a longer overseas adventure, these are the products we keep reaching for.
1. Quick-Dry Travel Towels
❤️ Why We Love Them
If we could only pack one travel accessory beyond the basics, a lightweight quick-dry towel would be right near the top of the list.
Traditional beach towels are bulky, take ages to dry and always seem to end up damp just when it’s time to pack the car or suitcase.
A quality travel towel solves all of those problems.
We’ve used ours for:
- Beach days
- Swimming pools
- Waterparks
- Camping trips
- Picnic blankets
- Emergency blankets for the kids
- Covering car seats after swimming
- Shade over a stroller on hot days
Because they dry so quickly, they’re often ready to use again within a couple of hours.
❤️ Our Recommendation
Best Overall: Nomadix Original Towel
We love the combination of quick drying, compact size and durable recycled materials. It’s one of those products that just works.
Budget Pick: Rainleaf Microfibre Travel Towel
A great option for families wanting similar performance without spending quite as much.
❤️ Numadi Tip
If you’re travelling with young children, pack one extra travel towel in the car. You’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
For more ideas, check out our guide to Travel Essentials Every Family Should Pack.
2. Compact Travel Games
❤️ Why We Love Them
Travelling with children involves lots of waiting.
Waiting at airports.
Waiting for food.
Waiting for ferries.
Waiting for everyone else to get ready.
That’s where small travel games earn their place.
Because they’re compact enough to live permanently in a daypack, you’re never caught without something to keep the kids entertained.
Even better, they encourage families to spend time together rather than handing everyone a screen.
❤️ Our Favourite Games
A brilliant word game that’s easy to learn and surprisingly addictive for both adults and older children.
Games like Rat-a-Tat Cat, Sleeping Queens and Sushi Go! are compact, durable and ideal for family holidays.
View the Gamewright Range on Amazon.
Perfect for airports, rainy afternoons and quiet evenings at your accommodation.
❤️ Numadi Tip
Keep one travel game permanently in your backpack or handbag.
That way it’s always ready whenever boredom strikes.
If you’re travelling on a long-haul flight, you might also enjoy our guide to Travel Organisers and Packing Systems That Actually Reduce Stress, where we share our favourite carry-on setup.
3. Stainless Steel Lunchboxes
❤️ Why We Love Them
Travelling with kids almost always revolves around food.
Beach snacks.
Road trip lunches.
Airport picnics.
Day walks.
After trying all sorts of plastic containers over the years, we’ve found ourselves coming back to stainless steel lunchboxes with wooden lids.
They’re durable, easy to clean and surprisingly versatile.
Many wooden lids also double as chopping boards or serving platters, making them perfect for picnics.
❤️ Our Recommendations
Best Overall: Black + Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box
Durable, leak-resistant and beautifully designed.
Best Eco-Friendly: EcoLunchbox
Plastic-free, family-friendly and built to last.
❤️ Numadi Tip
A reusable lunchbox isn’t just useful for travel.
We use ours at home as well, which makes it one of those purchases that quickly pays for itself.
❤️ Numadi Verdict
One thing we’ve learnt over the years is that the best travel gear isn’t always the most expensive.
It’s the gear that quietly solves everyday problems.
A towel that dries before you need to pack.
A game that keeps the kids entertained at the airport.
A lunchbox that’s just as useful at the beach as it is on a road trip.
Those are the products that earn a permanent place in our luggage.
Final Thoughts
The travel products we value most aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest marketing budgets or the highest price tags.
They’re the ones that make family adventures just a little easier.
If a product saves space, reduces stress or gets used on almost every trip, it’s probably a worthwhile investment.
These three have certainly earned their place in our family’s travel kit—and we can’t imagine travelling without them.
Continue Planning Your Family Adventure
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