Faraway places? Fancy costumes? These travel tins may hold the power to penetrate Disney princess-land.

I’m setting aside my hatred of cheesy word fusions for the love of these outdoor learning games—bug bingo, beach quest, star quest and others—printed on bandannas. Small, engaging, easy to pack. And if the game doesn’t hold their attention, it’s a hat or a napkin. A hatkin. Hapkin?

Twofers lighten the load when you travel. Closed, this is a pillow for sleepyheads. Open, it’s a plaything for busybodies.

Money’s tight all around, and camping is the ultimate cheap-o vacation. This here’s a nice tent for first-timers, especially. It’s solid, well priced and comes with the ability to charge your cell phone, iPod or hook up lighting. It sets up quickly and easily from the get-go, even though it’s wired with three 12V DC outlets. Power Pack sold separately for 50 bucks, as are the sweet accessories. I like the fan/light. Nice to have a little air circulation for sleeping.

Avert meltdowns directly related to your little traveler’s tired legs—without compromising crucial bag space, no less.

My 5-going-on-15-year-old niece Nayana walked me through her recent trip to New York with the aid of this travel journal. Two pages designated to each day offer a good amount of space to write a few key words, draw thoughts and plaster stickers. The trip kicked off the journal, which she’ll continue to fill throughout the year. Definitely a keepsake in the making.

Sunscreen is destroying coral reefs? Seriously. Just imagine what it’s doing to your skin. They make face-, kid- and sport-specific options, too.

They have ladybugs and tigers, too, but doesn’t the turtle seem too tantalizingly appropriate?

Comes with a valve, for your meticulous little sandcastle builder. Collapsible = travels well.

(via funfindsformom)

These sticky-backed mats with non-rolling crayons up the odds that your family vacation memories will not include dramatic mealtime meltdowns.

(via the ferret)