35 Walmart Travel Essentials For Family Vacations

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03-07-2025

A Master Lock portable safe with a resettable combination to keep your valuables safe (or at least safer than stuffing them into a shoe at the bottom of a bag) while you're at the beach, pool, or anywhere that allows you to concentrate on fun instead of potential theft.
Promising review: "This is great for carrying personal items like jewelry and cash on trips. Has a way to connect it to your purse or luggage." —dianaPrice: $19.92
A three-pack of Tide To Go stain remover pens for those trips where you're packing light and there's no washing machine. Little clothes will most likely get stained, so you'll be glad you have this on hand for sauce and juice spills.
Promising review: "I feel like a superhero with these in my purse. Blood, gotcha. Wine, no prob. My kiddos mysteriously get spots on absolutely any shirt they wear, thank goodness." —LauraPrice: $7.88
A 12-pack of travel-sized Purell advanced hand sanitizer gels because you can never have enough clean hands, and there's nothing worse than catching a bug while on vacation.
Price: $14.99
A waterproof car trash can with a lid and storage pockets for instilling just a modicum of hope that you might be able to keep the car somewhat cleaner than the house. Maybe.
Promising review: "Best thing to keep in your car when you have kids!! Keeps the back of my car mess free now, and good size!" —anonymousPrice: $11.99 (available in three colors)
An Anker PowerCore Select 10000 portable charger because one of the worst moments you'll experience while traveling with kids is when their favorite device runs out of juice at the absolute worst time. This power bank allows for simultaneous charging, so no fighting over it (hopefully).
Promising review: "Good size, easy to handle and hold. I charged three phones, one charger, and two small fans, including one with light. It's great to have during the hurricane season and/or if you're in an area where the power now goes out for no known reason. Great price, too!" —JayniePrice: $23.99 ($29.88)
A pair of foldable, wired, and wireless (thanks to Bluetooth) cat ear headphones that'll purr for up to 10 hours of listening time. The adjustable headband makes them comfortable, while the light-up kitty ears make them spectacular.
Promising review: "I bought these for my daughter's 8th birthday, and she loves them. The setup was very easy; she connected them to several tablets and my phone without an issue. Bluetooth connects quickly and doesn't have any issues disconnecting. The lights are awesome and charging is a breeze." —RachelPrice: $16.98+ (available in three colors)
A Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game (a personal favorite of mine) where players take turns calling out the words taco, cat, goat, cheese, and pizza (in that order) until the word matches the card. But watch out for those gorilla, groundhog, and narwhal cards!
Promising review: "My kids and I really like Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza! You go around the circle, and each person says an item. If the card matches what you say, everyone tries to slap the deck. The last person to slap the deck must take all the cards. There are also action cards in the deck. This game keeps you on your toes, and there will be laughing!" —LisaPrice: $9.84
A rechargeable and flexible stroller fan with three settings so the kids (and you) can keep cool throughout your trip.
Promising review: "Worked perfectly for the warm summer day! Very quiet, quick, and easy to set up." —melissa Price: $19.99 (originally $39.99; available in four colors)
A colorful rolling backpack built for school but, like your kids, has earned a well-deserved holiday. Great for wheeling around the airport and carrying on to the plane, and if it'll fit everything from books to lunch boxes, it'll undoubtedly accommodate vacation items too.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this little rolling backpack! It travels well. I went on a vacation for three weeks in Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales, and this little bag went through seven flights, several trains, subways, buses, and car trips, and it is lightweight enough for the overhead compartments. So if you want something lightweight but strong enough to be stuffed with all your traveling belongings, this is the one you need!" —ArtsynursePrice: $44.99+ (available in seven colors)
A pack of four TSA-approved travel bottles for all of the lotions and potions that babies and kids require so you don't have to travel with all of those full-size bottles taking up extra luggage space.
Promising review: "Absolutely perfect! They're easy to fill and come with labels. It's perfect for my busy traveling life!" —MorganPrice: $10+ (available in two color options)
A do-it-all travel duffel/weekender bag that features a shoe compartment, a wet pocket, two inner and three front open pockets, and plenty of room inside. Works great as a carry-on or in the car.
Promising review: "It's beautiful and is so spacious, I definitely can use it as a weekender!" —MaryPrice: $24.99 (available in 11 colors)
A two-pack of portable clotheslines with 12 clothespins because most hotel rooms aren't built for properly drying clothes and there's nothing worse than that not-quite-dry swimsuit smell when you're packing to go home.
Price: $10
An inflatable swim tube pool float so that you don't have to pay an outrageous price (tourist pricing) wherever you're staying for something that's probably not going to make the trip back home.
Promising review: "Thick material. We used it in the ocean, and it held up. Buying more." —JessicaPrice: $2.47+ (available in four colors)
A 250-piece first aid kit packed with bandages, butterfly closures, gauze pads, ointments, examination gloves, an instant cold compress, and more for any emergencies that don't (hopefully) require a trip to the emergency room.
Promising review: "This is that kit you buy, put in the back of the car, go on a road trip with friends/family, and then thank yourself for later. The kit itself is fairly inexpensive, and the first aid gear inside of it reflects that. We chose it due to its ideal size and list of contents. It is just as expected. Let's just hope we don't have to use it too often." —JasminePrice: $16.98
An allergen-free, plant-derived, child-safe, vegan-approved Foot Glide anti-blister balm because you and the kids are going to do a lot of walking on vacation (maybe in sandals), and you can't let any skin irritation slow you down.
Price: $9.99
A 20-pack of disposable, hooded, button-down kids' rain ponchos for those times when you forgot to check the weather app (re: most of the time) or when a storm blows in unannounced.
Price: $19.83
A UPF 50+ sun-protective, wide-brim bucket hat to keep kids' heads, faces, and necks safe from that summer sun while the drawstring keeps it secured from blowing away and getting lost. The hat also folds up for easy on-the-go storage.
Promising review: "Works just like what I needed! Baby can't pull it off! Easy to put on him and cute!" —JillPrice: $10+ (available in six patterns and sizes 6/12 Months–4/8 Years)
A three-pack of kids' sunglasses so little eyes stay protected, and little hands can't break them with any twisting or bending. Plus, every baby looks cool wearing these!
Promising review: "Wow. These glasses are better than I expected. The material is soft and flexible; it won't hurt your kid's skin. They are very well-made and polarized!! I have to say it's the best deal ever !! My kids love them." —LanPrice: $10
An inflatable bathtub because even though you're on vacation, you still have to wash that kid, and unless otherwise requested, most hotel/motel rooms don't have a tub.
Promising review: "I bought this tub for my grandson because my daughter only has a shower. And it really helped a lot. Because he's a toddler now, and she can't give him a bath in the sink anymore. And he loves it. This isn't just for babies it can be used for a toddler also." —ValeryPrice: $24.99
An eight-piece packing cube set that's not just for organizing suitcases for family trips. Use these to store an extra set of clothes (kids are gonna kid) in your go-bag or in the car.
Promising review: "These bags are perfect! They hold so many clothes. I bought these because they were machine washable. I've washed them a few times now, and they are holding up perfectly! I like being able to organize everything. It's so much easier to go through the luggage when everything is sorted into bags." —KristinaPrice: $10.90+ (available in three colors)
A pair of Crocs because they're easy to slip on, easier to clean, and protect little toes better than flip-flops, especially when running on hot sand or slippery concrete around the pool.
Promising review: "This is my second pair for my son this year (he grew out of the last pair). Great quality, it is easy and comfortable for him to get on and wear on his own." —ChelseaPrice: $24.99+ (available in 16 kids' sizes and 18 color options)
A six-pack of Munchkin jumbo microwave bottle sterilizer bags so you can thoroughly disinfect bottles or breastfeeding equipment by eliminating 99.9% of the most common bacteria and germs. Just add water and pop it in the microwave for as little as 90 seconds.
Promising review: "I love this sterilizer bag. Before using these I would sterilize all my bottles and pump parts in a pot of boiling water. With this bag, I just toss a bunch of parts in, add a little water, and in a few minutes, I'm done. You can easily dump out the water without opening the bag and avoid burning your hands immediately by handling the bag using the cool tab. I love the check boxes on the front to remind me how many times I've used each bag. These can be used up to 30 times." —sorrycharlie625Price: $12.99
A machine-washable, 70 x 60-inch packable blanket made with 100% recycled polyester fabrics. It includes a sack for easy storage in the car or a carry-on and it's great for for impromptu naps, snuggle times, or general chilling outdoors, thanks to its durable protective bottom.
Promising review: "Perfect camping or trip blanket that is easily stored and lightweight for travel, and honestly does its job well in keeping one toasty and comfortable. Not to mention, the colors are beautiful, making it an attractive blanket." —YootuniPrice: $23.92 (available in two colors)
A kids' travel tray, which is like their own little backseat workstation. The "desk" part is actually a dry-erase board, and there are dedicated holders for the two most important things for kids on long car trips: tablets and water bottles.
Promising review: "Used this for my two boys driving over 2,000 miles for vacation and it was A HIT! They loved it and so did I! Very functional! Easy to unclip to go to the bathroom and clip back up! Keeps everything zipped up, and nothing spills over!!!" —VioletPrice: $28.95+ (available in five colors)
A four-pack of sand removers so the beach doesn't follow you and your kids back to your room, car, or anywhere else. If you're someone who hates sand getting everywhere (like me), these are a must.
Price: $4.39+ (available in two colors)
A kids' travel air mattress inflatable bed with raised sides for any trip where the sleeping situation isn't so clear (like when the hotel promises a crib or pack and play and then they don't have one). It's also great for camping and sleepovers!
Note: No air pump included. Promising review: "This inflatable mattress has been a lifesaver for travel with kids! It's comfortable, with raised sides that help keep my little one from rolling off. It's easy to inflate and deflate and fits well in our car. The pink color is a cute touch too." —Walmart CustomerPrice: $24.98+ (available in two colors)
A foldable Oxo Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty because when they gotta go, you know they gotta go! Like, right now! No bathroom? No problem; extend the legs, and voilà, you've got an instant roadside commode. This potty also lays flat on regular toilets for a more comfortable seat on the throne.
Includes three disposable bags with absorbent pads and a travel bag.Promising review: "This is perfect for keeping in the back of the car for travelling. Right now, we are potty training, and we can just pull over and have him go on the side of the road. It is also perfect for public restrooms, so he feels like he won't fall in. He likes it too, which is a huge plus." —debbiePrice: $20.99 (available in three colors)
An Evenflo Hummingbird ultra-lightweight stroller that can be opened and closed with one hand, which is clutch because you'll most likely be holding the baby with the other! Drives well, travels well, and fits almost anywhere.
I used an older Evenflo model on all our family trips with two children. It lasted for years. But I got a chance to test this new model (my youngest hasn't quite grown out of the stroller yet), and it's even better. It is amazingly light, which is the best thing it can be when packing it onto a plane or a car trunk. How light? When the box arrived, I literally tossed it to my wife and said, "Check out how light this is!" Luckily, she caught it and didn't wing it back at my head. Price: $229.99+ (available in three colors)
A pack of 80 DEET-free mosquito repellent patches for kids and adults infused with peppermint and citronella oil for 24-hour protection. Stick one on, and those bugs won't be bothering you.
Price: $9.96
A travel white-noise machine because you never know what the sleeping situation is going to be on the road. Choose from four sound options (heartbeat, white noise, ocean, or lullaby). Clip it to the stroller, car seat, bag, or crib, and here comes sleepy time (hopefully).
Note: Requires three AAA batteries. Promising review: "Perfect for travel, on-the-go naps! Hooks easily onto the baby carrier. Has been dropped with no issues. Good size and volume level." —HeatherPrice: $19.99
A 3-in-1 multi-charging cable so you can cut down on packing an excessive amount of cords, always have the right plug, and be able to juice up several devices at once.
Promising review: "Oh my gosh, this is the way to go when your devices are charged with different cords. I can plug the one into the wall adapter and then into all my devices. And I do mean I plug in my Apple phone, Kindle, and new iPad all at once instead of using three different cords and switching them out all the time. What a game-changer. Little things like this sure do help." —DebraPrice: $9.99 for a 3-in-1 two-pack (available in five colors)
A 26-piece Micro Magna-Tiles travel set, because regular-size Magna-Tiles are too heavy to pack for trips, and this shrinked-down version is just as fun to play with, especially with a metal carrying case that works as a stand for building.
Promising review: "I love that the case is sturdy enough to throw in a bag and go. The tray is perfect for containing building projects. They work well with their larger counterparts." —Mary Price: $19.97
An easy-to-use portable hotel door lock that offers a little extra security when you're staying somewhere unfamiliar.
Promising review: "It worked pretty well, and the instructions were clear. I don't know if it would stop someone who was determined to get in. But it will discourage someone from finding an easier target." —KrystalPrice: $12.79
An eight-count of grape-flavored Dramamine Motion Sickness chewables for kids so you can get through any car trip without stopping, scrambling for a plastic bag, and eventually having to clean up puke.
Promising review: "My family truly enjoys this product. My kids get motion sickness when driving in the car for long periods. They always do great as long as they have Dramamine before our trip. They love the flavor of these chewables! The little container they come in is great for travel. Highly recommend!" —KadyPrice: $7.20 for an eight-pack
A pack of 120 dog poop bags because, now hear me out here, you're not going to be traveling with a Diaper Genie, but you're still going to have to deal with dirty, stinky diapers piling up.
Promising review: "Best poop bags! They are large and thick. It's nice to know my nails won't poke through. The price is great for something to pick up poop with! —tat2dmama70Price: $5.88
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Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.