By Sarah Seward
Summer travel with kids sounds dreamy until you are standing in an airport security line, digging for wipes, snacks, and the one toy your child suddenly cannot live without.
Sarah Seward knows that scene well.
As the founder of Drool & Co, a modern baby and children’s boutique in north Raleigh’s Lafayette Village, and a mom of five, Seward has packed for flights, road trips, beach weeks, quick getaways, and those family adventures where “we’ll just bring the essentials” somehow turns into half the house coming along for the ride.
But after years of traveling with kids in tow, she has learned what is actually worth making room for—and what can stay home.
Her summer travel picks are practical, parent-tested items designed to make life a little easier when you are on the move with babies, toddlers, and kids. Think less “cute-but-useless” and more “you’ll be thankful this was in the bag when the meltdown hits somewhere between Raleigh and the beach.”
Here are Seward’s must-have travel items for families heading out this summer.
Silver Cross Clic Stroller
This lightweight, airplane-overnight-compatible travel stroller features a lay-flat infant seat and is perfect for newborns up to 55 pounds. Clic has an easy one-handed fold and a shoulder strap, which makes it easy to take everywhere!
Mabē Monarch Baby Carrier
A baby carrier is a must-have for all kinds of travel. The Monarch carrier is soft, comfortable, and beautiful, and allows a front inward-facing, back inward-facing, and front outward-facing carry. Mom tip: If traveling by plane, get your baby into the carrier before boarding and you’ll have your hands free to carry everything else.
Itzy Ritzy Breeze Stroller Fan
A stroller fan is essential for summer travel. This one is rechargeable, easy to attach to a stroller or car seat, and super cute!
Hatch Rest Go
This is a great little sound machine with a carry ring that attaches to a stroller, car seat, or even your baby carrier. Definitely needed for great sleep!
Kyte Baby Sleep Bag Swaddler
Speaking of good sleep, make sure you bring your normal swaddles and sleep sacks. Kyte Baby’s Sleep Bag Swaddler is made of super-soft bamboo fabric and is adjustable with Velcro for a snug swaddle. Plus, when you are finished swaddling, the swaddle fabric detaches, leaving you with a great sleep sack!
Jili Bottle
The Jili Bottle is like a Yeti for babies. Just add warm water to the insulated top portion, measure out your formula in the bottom, and when the baby is ready to eat, mix the two for a warm bottle on the go.
LittleChew Foldable Silicone Snack Cup
Great for little eaters on the go, this cup collapses to fit easily in your diaper bag but expands to hold plenty of your kiddo’s snacks. It also comes with a lid to keep the cup clean.
Frida Baby Mobile Medicine Cabinet
I always travel with a first aid kit; this one includes several Frida Baby favorites (including the SnotSucker) and has room to add your baby Tylenol and some Band-Aids, or whatever you might need.
Freshly Picked Diaper Bag II
This diaper bag has plenty of room for everything a baby on the go needs, plus it looks super stylish on mom or dad.
Stokke JetKids BedBox
This cool little suitcase has wheels and a strap so that your child can ride on it or pull it themselves. When on the plane, it extends the plane seat, turning into a bed for naptime.
Ubbi Sunsqueeze Sunscreen Applicator
Fill this up with your favorite mineral sunscreen (Earth Mama makes a great one!), and you’ll be able to easily apply without getting your hands greasy.
And don’t forget a great sun hat and sunglasses! Wee Ones makes amazing hats with UPF 50+, and Babiators sunglasses give 100% UV protection—plus your child will look super cute!
Of course, no product can guarantee a perfectly smooth trip with kids. Someone will still spill something. Someone will ask “Are we there yet?” approximately 400 times. And yes, someone will probably need a snack five minutes after saying they were full.
But the right gear can make a big difference.
Seward’s picks are a reminder that family travel does not have to mean overpacking, overthinking, or buying every gadget that shows up in your feed. Sometimes the best travel items are the ones that solve the small problems before they turn into big ones.
For parents planning summer flights, road trips, beach days, or weekend escapes, Drool & Co offers a curated selection of baby and children’s essentials that are as thoughtful as they are useful.
Drool & Co is located at 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 102, in Raleigh’s Lafayette Village. To learn more, visit droolandco.com or follow along on Instagram at @droolandco.
