Best Travel Sleep Gear for Kids
Whether you’re headed out on a road trip or about to board a flight, there are a few things that can help make the trip a little easier. Seasoned parents know that having the right portable gear can alleviate stress and unnecessary hassle. After scouring various resources and drawing from personal experience, here are some essential, lightweight, and practical items to make traveling with little ones a smoother experience. I will be updating this blog from time to time with the latest and greatest travel cribs, portable blackout shades, flight travel gear, car essentials, and much and much more. So let’s get going!
*Note: I do earn a small commission on some of the items below.
TRAVEL CRIBS & INFLATABLES
Here are a few gotta-have sleep options for the baby and toddler phase when traveling.
Up first - the Guava Lotus Travel Crib is a versatile 15-pound travel crib that can be carried by hand or worn as a backpack. It is praised for its portability, comfortable mattress, and large side zipper opening, which facilitates easy nursing, cuddling, and transferring of a sleeping baby. The crib's breakdown process is straightforward, but fitting it into its travel bag requires precision as the bag has limited extra space.
Not to be out done by the Guava Lotus… The BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light truly simplifies sleeping away from home with small children. The soft mattress ensures a comfortable sleeping space for children aged 0-3 years. The fabric is removable and machine washable. Parents have praised the crib for its easy setup, lightweight design, and convenient size that fits into luggage. The mattress is comfortable and thicker than that of a pack 'n play pad, making it an excellent choice for a travel crib.
The JetKids CloudSleeper Inflatable Travel Bed is a great compact option. The CloudSleeper packs into an 11-by-15-inch cube, and includes a manual pump that inflates it in minutes. Super easy to use! Its raised sides create a cozy cocoon, making it ideal for toddlers and children up to 6 or 7 years old. There are some concerns about the zipper, and opinions are mixed regarding its inflation, quality, and overall value. Still a great and affordable option.
The Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed has been praised for its performance, quality, ease of use, comfort, and size. The mattress is well-constructed, easy to set up, and kids really love the cozy, stretchy fabric. This travel bed gets high marks for sleep quality, travel convenience, and inflation process. While this travel bed is cheaper (a plus), it is bulkier when packed - roughly the size of two side-by-side basketballs.
