The Best Travel Sleep Products for Kids
Traveling with kids is hard enough, but doing it without the right travel gear? Well, that just doesn’t make sense! In this blog series, I’m compiled my years and miles of family travel knowledge to bring you the my recommendations for the best travel products that will make your family trips a breeze.
In this edition we’ll cover perhaps the most important travel products you’ll need when traveling – sleep products. Whenever we travel, our kids’ sleep is a make-it or break-it topic. We’ve tried it all and we’re sharing the things that actually work. Don’t head on your next trip until you check out this list.
Ready to embark on a journey towards a hassle-free travel experience with your little ones? Let’s dive right in!
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Best Travel Sleep Products for Kids
Get Your Kid to Sleep In the car
If your kids are anything like mine, getting them to sleep in the car is a breeze! To make it a little easier, though, here are a few tips:
- Start your drive at bed time or nap time
- Make sure to have white noise or their Yoto Box ready to go (see below).
- No matter where your child will be sleeping, the key is to make the environment feel as close to home as possible. This means packing their favorite blanket and/or stuffie.
Window Shades
If you’ll be driving during daylight hours, be sure to have window shades. I like these ones because they stay put and you can easily bring them up or down. They’re also super handy to keep the sun out of your kids’ eyes (my son has super sensitive eyes, so we keep these down for our whole drive!)
White Noise Machine
This is essential if your kids sleep with a white noise machine at home. Even if they don’t, you’re going to want to drown out the ‘unusual’ sounds so your kids can get some sleep. In the car, on the plane or in your hotel – doesn’t matter where, you need white noise. We used to always travel with our kid’s Hatch Rest+ (and still do sometimes), but now they came out with the travel version, the HatchGo, and while there are less options and features, it is super portable and easy to pack!
If you plan to travel with your Hatch Rest+, you’ll need to set up your favorite programs in advance or use a hot spot to connect the first time you set it up.
Yoto Mini
The Yoto Box Travel Player is a game-changer for traveling with kids. It’s also a great travel sleep-aid for kids. It’s perfect for the car, airplane (especially with headphones) and at your hotel or out and about in a stroller. My daughter likes listening to quiet stories while she falls a sleep (like fairy tales and 5-minute sleep stories) and my son likes lullabies.
Get Your Kid to Sleep On the Plane
Getting kids to sleep on an airplane is a bit trickier. And while there are trips for airplane travel with toddlers out there (like booking your travel during nap time), they aren’t always feasible (or affordable). So, here are my favorite travel products (that actually work) for getting your little one to sleep on the plane:
Their Carseat
Traveling with a carseat (either their carseat or an affordable, lightweight carseat dedicated to travel) keeps kids contained, safe, and cozy for sleep. You’ll also have your own car seat when you arrive at your destination (keep in mind most rental car companies will let you add on a car seat, but the type and style are not guaranteed). Check out my favorite options here: Best Travel Gear for Kids
Reserve a Travel Bassinet
If you’re taking your baby on a long-haul flight, some airlines offer travel bassinets that you can use free of charge (if you pay to upgrade to a bulkhead seat where the bassinet will fit). You’ll need to call and speak directly to the airline at booking and they are available on first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to check the age and size restrictions before you book!
Inflatable Leg Rest/Toddler Bed
If you’re going on a long flight, this inflatable toddler bed is invaluable. It’s easy(ish) to pack and when you inflate it, it turns your kid’s seat into a flat bed they can cozy up on and get some sleep. Keep in mind it prevents you from using the storage space under the seat in front of them, so keep snacks and toys somewhere else!
Get Your Kid to Sleep On the Trip
You’re going to need these travel products for kids wherever you’re staying – in a hotel, AirBNB, cruise stateroom… they all need some help being kid-friendly for sleep!
Portable Crib
I highly recommend traveling with a portable crib, even when flying – remember you can check baby gear for free at the airport! I’ll be forever grateful to the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light – it is super light (13 pounds) and incredibly easy to set up, which is vital when you have an overtired child in need of immediate sleep! You can use a blanket to cover the sides of the crib so your child won’t see you.
If you’re not planning to bring yours, be sure to call ahead to make sure your hotel has a portable crib and ask to reserve one. We’ve arrived at hotels only to be told their cribs were gone for our stay and been totally out of luck! Also, ask what type of cribs they have – we’ve also arrived at hotels only to find rickety, unsafe options!
Also – always pack your own portable crib sheets!
Inflatable Toddler Bed or Bed Rails
If your kids are no longer in a crib, you have two options. First, if your room doesn’t have enough beds for everyone, this inflatable air mattress with bumpers is great. I actually packed this for a bachelorette party so I didn’t have to sleep on the floor and I never slept better! Second, if your child will be in their own bed, these inflatable bed rails are fantastic. Super easy to pack and they work much better than rolling up a towel. Keep in mind some hotel beds are high, so these are great for peace-of-mind.
SlumberPod
If your child is used to sleeping in blackout conditions at home, this is perfect. It fits a portable crib easily and we also stretch it to fit our inflatable toddler mattress. It creates a great barrier for your kids to sleep while you’re not sleeping – so you don’t have to go to bed early or sit quietly in the dark.
That’s it, my top products for getting your kids to sleep while you’re traveling.
You’re almost ready to take on travel with toddlers after reading this blog post. Don’t hit the road without reading the other posts in this series:
- The Best Travel Toys & Activities for Kids
- The Best Travel Safety Products for Traveling with Kids
- The Best Travel Gear for Toddlers, Babies & Kids
- The Best Travel Essentials for Traveling with Kids
It’s my goal to make family travel easier, so you spend more time enjoying and less time stressing! Get out there and explore!
