The Best Bags for Traveling With Kids

This is one of my all-time favorite bags. It's a tote bag that quickly transforms into a backpack. It's not bulky or overly big but always manages to hold everything I need. As probably my most used bag, I've grabbed it to go to the zoo, the park, the aquarium, day hiking, Disney World, Dollywood, Universal Studios. Basically, anywhere I've taken my kids in the last seven years, this bag has gone with me.

Hands-free carrying is a must when keeping up with little and big kids. Designed to work as a diaper bag (with included changing pad and insulated bottle pocket) or as kids get older, this versatile backpack has an easy-to-access and spacious top portion, as well as an insulated bottom compartment to keep snacks and drinks cool.

This classic bag has a big fan club and for good reason. It's chic, spacious and works for days with or without kiddos. Throw in everything you need to spend a day at the park, zip and snap it closed for no fear of dropping sippy cups, keys or a favorite toy. The water-resistant finish will give you peace of mind at the splash pad or setting it in damp grass.

Take the stress out of long car trips with this handy organizer. The insulated tote keeps snacks and drinks chilled for hours, and each side has pockets for storing all your kiddo's essentials — tablets, headphones, books and stuffed animals.

I'm a big fan of mesh bags for the beach because sand in the bottom of my bag makes me cranky. I've carried this exact tote for two summers, and it holds all of our towels, beach toys, hats and other necessities. The outer pockets are perfect for keeping sunscreen and my phone (which goes in a waterproof bag) handy. Plus, it's only $10.

This is also a great bag for the beach, but I particularly love it for the pool since it's a compact all-in-one solution. Often, I need more than one bag for the beach since we're out there all day, but the pool, I can get away with one clever tote. This has my favorite mesh top that dries quickly and doesn’t hold on to odors, but it adds an insulated cooler bag on the bottom. It's big enough to hold 12 cans of soda so you'll have all the kids' snacks and drinks ready.

While I carry the bulk of our gear when we hit the trails as a family, my kids are old enough now to carry small packs, which definitely lightens my load. These mini packs have a safety whistle (a must in the woods) and allow kids to haul their own water and snacks.

Though this pack is designed for day hikes and mountain biking, don't discount it for a day at the amusement park. Not only does it have comfortable mesh shoulder straps, multiple compartments and water bottle pockets, but it's also water-resistant. If you're hopping on a water ride or get stuck in a sudden rain shower, you don't have to worry about all your stuff getting soaked.

Whether you're spending the day at the zoo, shopping around a quaint downtown or just taking a walk through nature, I've found that it never hurts to have an extra bag at the ready. Kids always seem to collect things as they go. This packable backpack folds up into a sandwich-size bag that you can easily stow inside another bag or suitcase.

Give those little legs a break by carting them on this ride-on suitcase. Get to your gate at the airport with ease, or pull sleepy kiddos to your hotel room after a long road trip. The lightweight luggage is easy to steer and has ample packing space.