As a super Auntie who loves to shower her niece with gifts, coming up with travel gift ideas for kids was so much fun.
My guide has over 100 items to pick from, organized into simple categories to make your shopping super easy.
Happy gift giving!
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Kid-approved luggage
Kids that love to travel don’t want boring black luggage.
Kids want luggage that is THEIRS, whether it have their favorite character, a fun print, or trendy style.
Give them some airport cred (that’s a thing, right? like street cred??) with a new piece of luggage.
For younger kids, aim for luggage with characters, kid-approved prints, or even suitcases they can ride.
For tweens and older, go for trendy prints, bright colors, or even a smart suitcase.
If you’re looking for Disnified luggage, I have an entire post on that topic!
Fun travel pillows = well-rested kiddo
Travel can be rough, especially on kids. Props to those of you who travel with multiple kids in tow!
If the flight or car ride is going to be long or around bed time, avoid extra crankiness by bringing a travel pillow for your kiddo.
They’ll rest better and therefore hopefully wake up without any crankiness.
As with the luggage, go for cute for the younger kiddos and trendy for the older kids.
Encourage a future travel blogger
If your travel loving kid is expressing interest in being a travel blogger, photographer, and so on, how about a gift to encourage their dreams to come true?
For a big gift, a digital camera, tablet, or laptop is sure to be a hit. Many brands have cameras and tablets that are kid-proof if you’re worried about gifting something like this for a younger kid.
For more budget-friendly options, travel journals and books are fun too.
Explore the world with virtual reality
Remember the Viewmaster from our childhood? Well, it’s back in a huge way!
Viewmaster has been transformed into a virtual reality headset.
And instead of round discs with film-like images, kids are treated to virtual reality films, like an adventure in space or on a safari!
Keep them occupied with a puzzle or model kit
Puzzles and 3D model kits are super fun gifts for rainy or cold days.
Go with a travel theme, like a scene from a country or city that you’ll be traveling to in the upcoming year, or perhaps their all-time favorite destination.
Take their doll on an adventure
A doll outfitted with travel gear or travel gear for a doll that is already owned will surely be loved by a travel-loving kid. It’s also great for imaginative play.
Think camping gear, doll-sized luggage and travel accessories, camper vans, boats, and more.
Build their own world
Lego has an entire line based on amazing architecture around the world. Some of their play sets often have travel themes, such as the LEGO Friends and LEGO City series.
The LEGO Architecture and LEGO Creator series are also great ways to introduce kids to the world’s most amazing buildings.
Explore the world at home
A globe or map for daydreaming about all the places in the world they can travel to is a gift that will last a long time.
There are even globes that include educational games or color-in maps on pillowcases!
Create travel inspired art
Coloring books are another great gift to keep travel loving kids occupied when they are stuck indoors.
Aim for destination-specific themes to keep these busy bodies interested.
Read about the world’s greatest treasures
Books are one of my go-to gift ideas for kids.
There are so many directions you can go with this gift idea, depending on the age group.
You can get books about different cultures, books written in a language they are learning, travel guides for kids going off on an exchange program, and so on.
Enhance pretend play
Encourage pretend play with fun travel-themed props and accessories.
My niece, who loves to travel, is nuts for the Shopkins World Vacation series.
Travel-themed dress up costumes or accessories are also an easy gift for kids who like to travel.
Explore the great outdoors with kids
Encourage kids to explore the great outdoors with some outdoor gear of their own.
Consider fun camping and hiking gear, snow gear, beach or pool toys, portable bikes or ride-on toys, fun rain gear, and more.
For more fun camping gear ideas, check out my post about camping essentials.
Make a road trip extra fun and comfortable
Get through a road trip with fun new accessories or toys to keep the kiddos occupied.
Card games, travel-sized games, Crayola color wonder kits, and car organizers (so their toys are always within reach) all make great gifts for kids going on a road trip.
For more road trip tips, check out my post about apps for road trips.
P.S. Yes, car organizers alone are a lame gift, but use it as a gift basket and fill it up with fun stuff instead of wrapping or using a traditional gift bag.
What’s your favorite travel gift idea for kids?
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