Best Products for Travel Families (With Promo Codes)

These are the products I actually use and recommend — not a sponsored wishlist, but the stuff that's survived multiple international summers with three kids. I've also negotiated promo codes where I could.

I get a lot of DMs asking what we use, what's in our bags, what I'd recommend. So here it is — one list, organized by category, with honest notes on each product and why it made the cut.

Skincare & Wellness

1. Osea Malibu — Clean, ocean-based skincare. The travel sizes are perfect for international trips. Their body oil and serum are my favorites. I started using Osea two years ago and haven't switched back to anything else. The products are effective, smell incredible, and the travel sizes mean I never have to decant anything into tiny bottles.
2. Bubs Naturals — Electrolyte packets and collagen. I put the electrolytes (lemon flavor) in my water bottle every travel day. Use code CBM20 for 20% off. Between jet lag, walking 15,000 steps a day in the heat, and trying to keep up with three kids, staying hydrated is everything.

Photography

3. Flytographer — Professional family photos in any city worldwide. You book a local photographer for 30-60 minutes and get beautiful, candid family shots. We've used them in Barcelona, Paris, and Edinburgh. Way better than selfies. I cannot overstate how much I love this service. You show up, a local photographer meets you, and you get back gallery-quality photos of your family actually enjoying a trip together. No awkward timer shots, no asking strangers to take your picture.

Clothing

4. Cuts Clothing — Premium basics for him. The shirts hold up trip after trip. Use code MADDY61120 for 20% off. My husband lives in these shirts during the summer. They pack flat, don't wrinkle, and look great whether you're walking around a city or sitting at a nice dinner.
5. We Are Amma — Beautiful breathable shawls that double as beach cover-ups, evening wraps, and airplane blankets. Use code MADDY92654. I bring one on every single trip. It's the most versatile item I own.

Bags & Luggage

6. Nordace — The Siena backpack is my daily carry. Fits a laptop, multiple pockets, water bottle holder. Looks polished enough for a cafe and functional enough for a hike. I've tried a lot of travel backpacks and this is the one I keep coming back to. It doesn't scream "tourist" but it holds everything I need for a full day out with the kids.

Kids' Gear

7. Cleary Bikes — If you're getting your kid a bike, these are our favorites. Use code CARGOBIKEMOMMA for $20 off. Lightweight, well-made, and designed specifically for kids. All three of ours ride Cleary bikes.
8. Bern Helmets — Great coverage, easy to put on. Use code cargobikemomma20 for 20% off. These are the helmets our kids wear every day. They're comfortable enough that the kids don't fight me about wearing them.
9. Lazer Helmets — Our pick for adult helmets and little kids. Use code Maddy15 for 15% off. Lightweight and well-ventilated, which matters a lot when you're biking in the summer heat.

Biking Accessories

10. Hiplok — Best bike locks and security accessories. The D1000 is the gold standard. Use code 3MADDY15 for 15% off (except D1000 line). Bike security is no joke, especially when you're parking in a city. Hiplok makes the most robust locks I've found.
11. Gofluo — Reflective bags and accessories for visibility. Bright, stylish, safety-conscious. If your kids bike to school or you ride at dusk, visibility gear is a must. Gofluo makes it look cool instead of dorky.

Travel Essentials

12. Portable phone charger — Anker 20,000mAh. Non-negotiable. With five people using devices, a dead phone battery can derail an entire afternoon. We carry two of these.
13. AirTags — On every kid, every bag, every suitcase. I put one in each kid's backpack and one in our checked luggage. The peace of mind is worth every penny.
14. Packing cubes — Compression cubes for the whole family. Each person gets a color. When you're living out of one suitcase for six weeks, organization is survival.

Want the full list with links? Check my Amazon storefront.

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My newsletter is where I share exclusive discount codes that aren't available anywhere else, plus early access to new brand partnerships and seasonal product roundups. When I negotiate a new code or a brand offers a limited-time deal, subscribers hear about it first. I also share honest reviews of products that didn't make the cut — because knowing what to skip is just as valuable as knowing what to buy.