Summer means travel almost every weekend for my family. I wouldn't change this for the world and I love visiting with family and friends and enjoying the beautiful weather. Organizing for trips has become quite the project since we have a 7 month old and 3 year old. I've teamed up with Skip Hop to show you a few things that we've found essential for traveling as a family!
Summer Travel Essentials from Skip Hop
1. Diaper Bag: There's nothing more important than a great bag for carrying all of your necessities. I don't even carry a purse anymore (I have my hands full as it is!) so when I picked out a diaper bag I wanted something that was cute but still very functional. I was lucky enough to partner with Skip Hop to show you their Duo Signature Diaper Bag in Chevron.
The Duo Signature Diaper Bag has ten pockets which is so convenient-there's room for everything I need to carry with me. With a little guy who frequently has blowouts and a recently potty-trained three-year-old I need to be able to carry extra clothes and this bag has the space with two pockets inside the zippered main compartment.
The two pockets on the front have magnets to hold them shut which is perfect because I always drop things from my bags as I bend over-not an issue anymore! The bottle pockets have elastic around the tops to keep bottles secured, and these outer areas are great for snacks and baby food also.
I love the cushioned changing pad that comes with Skip Hop's diaper bag. I'm always hesitant to lay my kids directly on public changing tables and this pad conveniently fits in the large open compartment on the back of the bag. The Duo Signature bag comes with both handles and an adjustable stroller strap with a slip-on shoulder pad which has shuttle clips for removal.
Skip Hop really thought of everything with this bag. There's a d-ring to hold toys or their handy Pacifier Pocket, which I definitely need to purchase. We've lost so many pacifiers on trips and our kids don't tolerate the vehicle well without one-having a designated place to zip them in that's also easily accessible on the outside of the bag is SO handy. There's also a technology pocket where I'll definitely be storing my phone so I don't lose it in the depths of the bag (and this bag is deep!).
All of my necessities fit in the bag with room to spare-I had about a third of the bag left to fill. The Duo Signature bag will also hold a tablet or up to a 15" laptop which is great for travel and having quick access to electronics. This bag has space for everything I need for a day trip or to pack for each day of a longer vacation, and I love the variety of prints and other diaper bags that Skip Hop offers also-they have a style for every personality!
2. A great water bottle: I can't count the number of times we've headed out in the car only to hear "I need a drink!" from the back seat. We used to buy bottled water but after a few years realized we were wasting so much money and weren't being very eco-friendly. My daughter got to pick out one of Skip Hop's Stainless Steel Straw Bottles from their Zoo Collection and she LOVES it.
She picked out a Jules Giraffe bottle with a no-slip silicone sleeve which keeps her hands from getting cold when she fills it up. She wants to bring it everywhere we go so luckily for me it's easy to wash-you just remove the plastic straw (it comes with an extra) and wash it in soapy water, and the bottle is dishwasher safe!
The lid pops open and at first I thought it was kind of tough-then I realized you just have to push where the divot is (silly me) and it actually opens really easily. It's got a Velcro strap for easy carrying and is BPA, PVC, and Phthalate-free.
3. Luggage: Miss Independent (aka my three-year-old) always wants to help us carry our suitcase when we pack for a trip. I'll be honest, though, it's not easy to fit clothing for four people into one suitcase-especially when packing for all types of weather. I thought it would be great for our daughter to have her own luggage which also frees up some space in ours.
She picked out the Rolling Luggage with Jules Giraffe over a dog, monkey, owl, or ladybug from the Skip Hop Zoo Collection. This bag is great because she can use it for an overnight at Grandma and Grandpa's or as a carry-on during a flight. It has a 13" handle and a detachable "parent" strap for when kids get tired of pulling it.
All of the details are just adorable, down to the matching zipper pulls! There's a zippered pocket in the front that is great for carrying snacks and a mesh side pocket which is perfect for carrying the matching water bottle.
My daughter got to use her Skip Hop Rolling Luggage for the first time this weekend and she packed it full. There was plenty of room for clothes for the weekend, her baby, a couple of books, and her water bottle.
These are some of our favorite travel essentials! Skip Hop carries quite a few other products that are great for taking trips with kids:
- Zoo Travel Neckrests
- Zoo Travel Blankets
- Zoobrella Little Kid Umbrella
- Zoo Little Kid Backpack
BUY IT: You can purchase Skip Hop products on their site and at Amazon and Target.
Disclaimer: I (Amber) received these Skip Hop products free of charge to facilitate an honest review. Amazon links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
Nicole says
Love Skip Hop! Their products are so cute and well made!
Amber Ludwig says
Oooh I love the UPLIFT MULTI-LEVEL BABY BOUNCER!! How perfect!!
Kayla D. says
I would love to have, either the Springtime Birdie Musical Mobile or the Treetop Friends Musical Mobile. I enter as many giveaway' as I can for future use... since, I'm not a mom, yet. Never hurts! 😉 But, I do have a niece, so I do give things to her that she needs if I win. 🙂
Gilly says
I love the Treetop Friends musical mobile - adorable and useful!
Amanda Alvarado says
I love the ZOO Lunchie & Straw Bottle Set in the unicorn!! Dd would love it!
Cheryl Layshock says
I love skip hops GRAB & GO WET/DRY BAG. I use it for my cloth diapers. I keep my clean diapers in front mesh pocket and dirty in the back pocket. I've also used it for wet swimsuits. It's the best wet bag I have!
Amber says
Oooh, I will have to purchase a wet bag! I'm too lazy to do cloth but it would be SO handy for swimsuits!
In Season Jewelry says
Love their products. I just purchased a diaper bag from them.
Marian says
We love Skip Hop! I'd love some toys for the baby like the TreeTop Friends Busy Beads Tree and the Bandana Buddies.
Kailee bowman says
I love the Springtime musical birdie mobile
edye says
I like their rubber duckies! So cute 🙂
RK says
I like the soft activity books, like the Bandana Buddies. Great for a bunch of ages 🙂
Suzanne -KawarthaMums says
The zoo lunches at Skip hop are so adorable and reasonably priced. Wow only $15? With 73 to choose from it is difficult to stop at just one!
Love, love, love the Chameleon! So different!
Rebecca says
They have such cute things!! I love the rubber duckies for the bath, and the butterfly backpack.
Diane Sallans says
that TREETOP FRIENDS STROLLER BAR ACTIVITY TOY is very cute
Candy Stephenson-Otoya says
I would love to try the lunch bag, food containers and water bottle, I think my daughter would love it.
kayla sheehan says
i love the chelsea chic downtown diaper backpack
Olga Oviedo says
I would love the moonlight melodies nightlight & soother! The elephant is adorable and I love the color scheme for our nursery!
Jennifer White says
Would love this for my new one coming!
Shantiqua Allen says
Love the drarby dog bag,so cute
Robyn Cobb says
the silver lining activity gym is just too adorable
Jenny B says
I really like the raincoats!
Erin Campbell says
I love Skip Hop! Another product I would love to have is the Zoobrella!!
MELINDA MAGSTADT says
Octopus ring toss fountain looks awesome.... I am always looking for fun new bath toys!
Alexis Cuffy says
I would love the Grand Central Take it All Diaper Bag! So stylish and chic! We love Skip Hop!!
Laura S. says
I'd love to win the diaper bag you featured. It's actually on my baby registry!
Natalie says
I would also love to get the UPLIFT MULTI-LEVEL BABY BOUNCER and the zoo pop up hamper.
Nicole Huckins says
I'd love a wet bag for our cloth diapers.
Amy D says
I like the alphabet zoo baby activity gym. Fun times!
Lauri F says
I would love a Zoobrella or zoo raincoat for my 3 yr old, they are so cute! ?❤️?
Kari B says
I want to get the alphabet play mat. So cute and my kiddos would love it!
Deborah W. says
I love the Zoobrella butterfly umbrella. It's is adorable!
Jodi Armstrong says
I love the zoojamas- the little kids pajamas. they are adorable!
Jessica HH says
i'd love the night light soother, it gets so dark at night and we have lots of sounds in our house so this would be perfect!
gert fowkes says
central park blanket
Mallory Wanless says
I love that water bottle! It's so cute and so much easier than constantly buying new bottles of water