Think fast! Need a gift for the family travelers in your life–or perhaps in your home? Here are five favorites destined to get years of use. Links to many more recommendations below. Happy hunting!

Trunki Ride-On Suitcase for Kids

It’s a kid-size suitcase, a ride-on toy, and the easiest way to carry-on kid + bag into an airplane (let them scoot themselves). The Trunki ride-on suitcase lets kids scoot through the airport (or even up and down long hallways in cruise ships!) with ease and includes a pull strap for parents (when needed or desired). It’s carry-on compatible for most airlines, fitting within the standard 20″ x 18″ x 10″ requirement, and will serve well for overnights and slumber parties as well. Click here to see all Trunki styles at Amazon (Thanks for supporting this site when you click through to shop!)

The Piggyback Rider

For the dad who has–or rather has to carry everything, including small people when they tire, the Piggyback Rider is a low-profile high-relief solution for the parent who always ends up carrying that kid who’s “too big for a stroller.” (Of course, when using the Piggyback Rider, we recommend you always wear pants.) Read more about the Piggyback Rider and see other recommendations in Best Child Carriers for Travel.

Schylling Scuttlebug Portable Ride-On Trike

Another one of those precious toys that is as useful at home as it is in the corridors of Heathrow during a 5-hour layover with an energetic toddler (yes, that’s saying something!). The Schylling Scuttlebug folds to almost flat for transport beneath your stroller or in the side of your carry-on and weighs just over 4 lbs. But when waiting time calls, it’s three wheels fold out to give children 12 months to 4 years a pusher, scooter, or ride-on trike to keep them occupied. Click here to see all Scuttlebugs at Amazon

The Mommy Hook Jumbo Carabiner Clip

Created with moms, strollers, and shopping bags in mind, the Mommy Hook finds endless applications during family travel. Use it to keep extra toys (with loops and links are perfect) in view of baby or within reach of your toddler in the stroller or car seat, secure your purse/diaper bag to your stroller, attach diaper bag to rolling carry on or daypack (or laptop case) to rolling suitcase, and the list goes on. Made of heavy-duty aluminum with a foam grip for carrying sundry totes from car to hotel room or hotel room to beach. Click here to see all Mommy Hook colors at Amazon.

Canvas photo enlargement from Kauai trip. — Our canvas photo enlargement from Kauai trip.

Canvas Photo Enlargements

What better way to remember the year’s adventures than with a large canvas print of your favorite family travel photos? Here is one of ours from Kauai. Better still, you can click here to get 85% off ALL SIZES of canvas prints from Canvas People for a limited time. Yes, that’s 85% off right now! And as my mother-in-law will tell you, they make GREAT GIFTS FOR GRANNIES! 😉

travels with baby book cover — The award-winning “Travels with Baby,” 2nd edition

Got the Ultimate Guidebook for Travel with Kids Under 5?

And don’t forget, the 400+ page “ultimate guidebook” for planning virtually every trip during your child’s first years makes a great gift for all travelers with young children! Camping, cruise vacations, urban escapes, overseas travel, air travel, road trips, train travel, the best all-inclusive resorts for babies and children, and then some! Click here to browse Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler and click here to see its pocket-size travel companion Take-Along Travels with Baby: Hundreds of Tips to help During Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler.