It’s here – the 2025 $5 Travel Gift Guide! This is my favorite gift guide I do every year because it’s – I hope – super USEFUL for a variety of people and circumstances. While obviously it’s geared to travel, … Read More
I’m so excited to share the 2025 LPF small business gift guide! It’s chock full of all our favorite small brands that we personally use and love and that I think would make terrific gifts, as well. It’s also filled … Read More
It’s so bizarre to think that we’ve had a teen boy in the house for over 2 years now, and another tween boy! We’ve gone through a lot of different gifts over the years between birthdays, Christmas, friend gifts, and … Read More
When we moved to London a couple years ago, we started flying more super budget airlines, including during winter. But since we didn’t want to pay for luggage, that meant we had to figure out a way to pack super … Read More
Like many of you, we try to focus on experiences over things, but there are certain items that have helped make those experiences easier and more fun over the years. These are things that are useful, durable, and stand the … Read More
I love finding little ways to make family travel smoother and more fun, and travel games are one of my favorite tools for doing that. They’re a great chance to add something simple and engaging that keeps everyone entertained while … Read More
We loved celebrating our newly minted teenager yesterday! My mind is still spinning a bit that we now have TWO teens at home. How in the world did this happen? K is pretty easy to please and has simple interests, … Read More
We loved celebrating our new 8 year old yesterday! I started my account and blog a year or so after he was born since we were using the paternity leave Dan received (a first for us!) to visit Europe and … Read More
There’s almost nothing I loathe more than realizing a kid has a birthday party to attend that afternoon and being stressed to run around to a shop while trying to manage a busy day. Years ago, I decided to purchase … Read More
Another year, another reminder to please try to be thoughtful in your purchases and not just buy because things are on sale! Like many of you, we try to focus on experiences over things, but there are certain items that … Read More
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Paris with kids, without, and in every season. Every visit to Paris is magic AND there was something extra special about having a spring girls’ trip to Paris. If you’re looking for a more … Read More
I remember the first few trips traveling with kids and wondering how anyone possibly manages all the kids and all the needs and all the STUFF. There’s a lot, lol. But everyone’s right that it really does get easier with … Read More
It’s here – the 2025 $5 Travel Gift Guide!
This is my favorite gift guide I do every year because it’s – I hope – super USEFUL for a variety of people and circumstances. While obviously it’s geared to travel, I hope it’s helpful whether you’re going out exploring near or far. I love finding new items each year that are inexpensive but also really practical, especially for travel.
I’m thrilled that the 2025 $5 gift guide is the best yet! There are over 60 great items that are perfect for a sister, child, friend, neighbor, or coworker for an inexpensive but fantastic gift or as a stocking stuffer. (If you’re looking for some terrific travel gifts at different price points, check out my 2024 Ultimate Travel Lovers’ Gift Guide.)
My mind is blown by this thing and I think it may need to go in each of my kids’ stockings. It’s a silicone water cup that folds up into the size of a credit card! So helpful to carry when traveling (think water cup for brushing teeth) or especially for an outdoorsy person.
This earring holder design is so cool – it folds so it gets really small but keeps everything secure for travel.
Dan and I purchased these after we each lost one of our gloves and they’ve been so helpful. They function perfectly and save us from losing gloves!
I’ll do almost anything to minimize lost luggage! We usually travel with carry ons but occasionally need to check in luggage. This bag charm is darling and the perfect way to make your bag more noticeable and keep others from accidentally grabbing it. This braided option is also super cute and less flashy.
This is another super cool folding item – a folding stool! It’s so slim, it easily fits in a backpack. Would be terrific for an Airbnb or hotel – I feel like they rarely have stools and it’s often difficult for my younger kids to reach the sink or toilet. The only negative reviews are from people saying it wasn’t sturdy enough for them as a 150 lb adult, so maybe stick to using it for kids lol.
I exclusively wear Hey June jewelry when traveling because it’s so comfy and lightweight – I sleep, swim, shower, and everything else with it. It’s nice to give it a little cleaning when you return, and this little cloth from them is perfect since it has a cleaner and anti-tarnish agent in it. So small and easy to carry but just makes everything look a little nicer by removing dirt and grime. (Discount code PREETHI.)
I’ve ben using these clear toiletry bags for travel and end up just leaving all my makeup in them even when we’re at home. They’re just the right size and I love that I can both see everything and that the bag stands up. They’d be fun to gift individually with a little treat or lip gloss inside!
These are great for organizing your backpack while traveling. Especially if you have a bag that opens on the side, these are amazing for letting you see everything and keep different categories separated. (Discount code: PASSPORT)
This is so cute! Perfect for containing any manner of things. Also comes in a keychain version.
These are my very favorite style of chip clips and I use them for so many things from closing bags of frozen veggies to attaching something to a backpack.
Similar to the stopwatch, this is great for setting a time limit. We use visual timers all the time at home, but these small ones are great to take along on a trip to let kids (who can read numbers) how long left on a drive, a movie, etc.
These fold up small and are washable, which is perfect for taking along to gather dirty clothing when traveling.
This game has had tons of buzz and it’s just small enough to pop in a backpack to take along on a trip. One of my kids is getting it this year!
My kids have been obsessed with these wax sticks for years. They legit ALL play with them, from ages 3-15.
M, my 5 year old, is super into rainbow scratch art. It’s so fun! There are 6 of these little books in the pack, so it’s easy to divide up amongst several kids.
This road tape is so fun to pop onto airport carpets or in the car to “drive” little toy cars all over. Comes right up and doesn’t leave marks, so it’s perfect to use all around. Couple it with a toy car or two and you have a great gift for a kiddo.
I think I’ll be getting this this year – it looks so fun!
This tiny Lite Brite is such a throwback and perfect for taking along on planes or road trips.
I put these in my kids stockings a couple years ago and they were a hit! They love counting everything from steps to insects to pink flowers.
These darling little botanical leather bookmarks are magnetic so they actually stay on and come in darling little prints.
A mini squishmallow is never unwelcome.
Needoh but make it cats! Needoh is all the rage and this one comes in a cute tiny shape for optimal portability.
Perennial kid fave. Fun to time races, brushing teeth, or anything else.
We love these flying rings and the 3-pack is so affordable. Perfect to take along to the park or beach.
My kids love these little magnetic people and can play with them for hours. Even better if coupled with some mini magnetic tiles.
Speaking of mini throwback toys, this mini spirograph is darling and fun for ages. My kids love using the regular version at home so I think this would be a hit for travel.
We stuck this mini magnetic chess set in N’s stocking a few years ago and it’s perfect for popping in a bag for road trips or to play in restaurants.
I love that this soap case comes with a strap for extra leakproof security and also has a soap-saver pad inside.
We adore the Bubbsi line of coconut oil-based body and haircare (the coconut balm is my very favorite). In addition to the product, of course, I love that their packaging is refillable and comes in darling animal silicone bottles. They also have little travel-sized animal bottles that are maybe even cuter. Whether you fill them with the Bubbsi line or something else, they’d make a great gift for little travelers. (Plus the silicone is soft and flexible for travel.)
I adore these for taking along on trips because they pack SO small but are really effective for cleaning. Love them.
This aromatherapy rollerball with lavender and chamomile is perfect for settling in and getting over jet lag quickly.
A great addition for someone who likes to stay up to date with grooming – I feel like I’m always looking for a nail clipper when traveling! This one is tiny and zips up so is perfect to take along.
This tiny bottle is super long lasting to keep your makeup in place even on big adventure days.
I don’t have oily skin (mine is quite dry) but if I did, this is the serum I’d get – I’ve heard great things about it and it’s super affordable. Would be great to stick in a teen’s stocking.
Home rentals almost never have loofahs or extra washcloths for the shower, but a loofah stays wet for too long to travel with. This silicone body scrubber is perfect to take along instead – quick-drying and mold-resistant.
This refillable perfume atomizer is only a few dollars and great for taking your favorite scents along in a tiny bottle.
My skin often gets super dry when traveling, including my feet. This is tiny and perfect for taking along to keep them smooth and not peely. You could even tie it up with a bow with a mini foot file for a sweet, travel-friendly pampering git.
This stuff is INTENSE, so it’s great if you have extra dry skin. I often do, especially when traveling in dry places, so it’s just the right size to take along.
I love this curl gel and if you have a curly-haired friend, it’s a great one that comes in travel size.
I like having a little spray bottle to rewet my hair in the mornings and this is the perfect size.
I love this organized set with a set of different makeup brushes – it’s small and compact so perfect to carry along.
I may need to add one of these to M’s stocking this year – I remember having one as a kid and they’re cute and so helpful to carry around.
I can’t believe I haven’t put these on one of these lists before, but these are the undies my sensory-particular 10 year old has loved for 3-4 years and are the only ones he’ll wear. My 8 year old also loves them. They’re comfy, dry fast (great for travel), and have color coded waistbands for the size (easy laundry sorting). Plus, they’re a small, mom-owned biz. The best! Discount code PASSPORT.
I love packing a small neck scarf when traveling – it’s an easy way to dress up an outfit or to wear in my hair but takes basically no room. I also like tying it on my handbag for a pop of color or to help it stand out to me.
This little sewing kit is just the right size to take along for little fixes.
A really sweet necklace as a reminder to take advantage of adventure.
I’m a big fan of removing things from their packaging and this is a perfect example – easy to split up the 6 claws so they end up being under $2 each. I gave K a similar one of these for her and she loves it!
Tiny and perfect to attach to your phone when taking selfies when out and about on travels.
Devices get gross, especially when taking them on trips, so this is perfect for cleaning Airpods and smartphones.
This tiny thing is easy to carry and boosts reception when on hikes or other places with lower signal.
If you know an AirPods user, this is a great basic cover to keep their case clean when traveling.
Perfect for keeping track of (and not going insane due to) all the cords while on the go.
This portable adapter kit makes it easy to make sure you can charge all the devices when away from home.
I love a game when traveling and this is such a fun one for the whole family. Lots of laughs to lighten the mood in stressful situations, too!
This little kids travel journal is SO cute – so many activities and memory prompts to record. Plus, it’s written by one of my travel blogger friends with two kids of his own, so you know he’ll have thought of everything. 🙂
A seek-and-find book is great for keeping kids engaged for ages and these are perfect. Split them up for a perfect stocking stuffer, or give the whole set as a larger gift.
We’ve loved these sort of sticker books for years and years – I always rip out a few pages + their stickers when we travel for my younger kiddos. I even love doing the more complicated ones while watching a movie or listening to an audiobook!
Do you remember using color-changing markers as a kid? Where you use the white end to change the color of the other end? So fun and turns out they’ve stuck around!
Baby S would be way into this, and it’s the perfect price to take along, use up, and not need to pack home.
Just add water to let beautiful watercolor-like color show up on the page. These are so fun and are going in my toddler’s stocking this year.
This book is perfect to take along if you’ll be traveling to an area with dark skies to help kids (and adults) appreciate the vastness they see.
Here are the 2023 $5 travel stocking stuffer gift guide and the 2024 $5 travel gift guide if you need some more ideas!
And here are the lists of gifts we’ve ACTUALLY given over the years!
