The best tech for traveling with kids

Traveling with kids can be tough—from flight delays and traffic jams to never-ending complaints about boredom. But before you swear off family vacations forever, try bringing smart tech on your trips. The right kid-friendly devices can make a car or plane ride much easier (and even save your sanity).

But with so many options out there, it can be hard to choose the best devices for your kids. That's where Verizon Connected Home experts can help. Here's our guide to must-have travel tech for kids.

Tablets

Tablets are probably the simplest solution to traveling with kids because they keep your little ones occupied and happy for hours, which means you'll be happy too. There are tons of great tablets out there, like the Apple® iPad®. It's fast, easy to use, and features powerful parental controls. It also has crisp visuals and tons of kid-centric apps. Looking for something a bit more budget-friendly? Don't worry, there are lots of great, less-expensive options, like the Amazon Fire® Kids. It comes loaded with a yearlong Amazon Kids+ subscription, a kid-proof case, parental controls, access to ad-free books, apps, and games.

But don’t forget about a tablet case—protecting your tech from spills, cracks, and drops is always a good idea, especially when kids are involved. Look for a tablet case with a shockproof frame, a built-in screen protector, and a handle so it's easy for your kids to carry on their own.

Gaming systems

Sure, your kids can play games on their tablet (and their phone, if they have one), but handheld gaming devices make on-the-go play simple and easy. The Nintendo Switch®, for example, offers a vast library of family-friendly games including the beloved Mario®, Zelda®, and Pokémon® franchises. It's also portable and will dock with a TV for when you're at your hotel, AirBnB®, or back home. Younger kids may prefer the Nintendo Switch Light, which is smaller and more lightweight.

Headphones

Headphones are a no-brainer. They let kids listen to Kidz Bop® or Raffi for hours on end—so you don't have to. But unlike tablets, which make great hand-me-downs, avoid giving your old AirPods® and other adult headphones to your child, as they aren't built for or necessarily safe in children's ears and likely won't be as comfortable.

The good news: There are kid-friendly headphones that are compatible with lots of smartphones, tablets, and computers, and most brands include volume-limiting technology that lets you control how high your child can turn up the volume. With padded ear cushions, easy-to-use controls, and small pouches for easy transport, they're perfect for travel, school, and gaming.

Portable speaker

You might be surprised at how often you use a portable Bluetooth® speaker on vacation. Whether you're lounging at the beach, chilling at a playground, or sitting around a campfire, a portable speaker makes it easy to blast music, podcasts, and audiobooks anytime, anywhere.

Audio player

Think of these devices as modern-day MP3 players. They give kids hours of screen-free entertainment—including music, books, podcasts, and radio—that your little ones can adjust themselves and take with them anywhere. Yoto® has preloaded content cards (sold separately), which let your child play music, books, bedtime stories, and more. There's also Yoto Radio and the Yoto Daily Podcast, geared towards kids of all ages, and the device doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and nightlight.

Similarly, Toniebox® lets kids listen to music and stories on their own, but instead of using cards, kids place a small “Tonie" character (Elmo®, Elsa®, Winnie the Pooh®) on top of the box, triggering stories, songs, and more. There are a bunch of other options, too, including Jooki® and Storypod®, but keep in mind, some devices must be connected to Wi-Fi to work.

Ready to do more with your tech? A Verizon Connected Home expert is just a call or chat away.