Juice Up and Stay Connected: Navigating Electronics and Chargers When Traveling with Three Little Kids

Traveling with kids is no small feat, especially when you factor in managing all the electronics and cords that come along with them. From tablets to smartphones, e-readers to gaming devices, it seems like there’s no end to the number of gadgets your little ones use to stay entertained and connected. But with so many cords to keep track of, things can quickly become chaotic, with cords getting tangled, lost, or mixed up. On top of that, different devices require different types of cords, making it challenging to keep everything organized. And let’s not forget about the constant need for power, whether it’s on long flights or in the hotel room at night. In this post, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for managing electronics and cords we’ve learned while traveling with three little kids, so you can keep everyone charged up and connected without losing your mind.

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As a seasoned traveler with three kids, I’ve spent the last six years testing out various combinations of products to keep all the electronics charged and organized during our trips. After much trial and error, I’ve found a few key items that have been total game-changers for us. These products have helped me stay sane and keep everyone happy and connected on long flights, road trips, and hotel stays. In this post, I’ll be sharing my top picks for managing electronics and cords when traveling with little ones, so you can spend less time worrying about power and more time enjoying your trip.

Carry The Right Cords

This one seems like a no-brainer but it’s really the most important. Having the right cords for the devices you plan to bring on your trip is essential to keep them powered up and functioning properly. Before embarking on your journey, it’s important to take the time to organize and gather all the necessary cords, ensuring that you have at least one of each type that you’ll need. Additionally, it’s important to consider whether you’ll need to plug in multiple devices at once and ensure that you have enough of that type of cord.

This multipack of brightly colored apple lightning cables in various sizes is perfect for our apple-dependent family. The colors catch my attention so I’m unlikely to leave them behind on a plane or in a hotel room. I like the shorter cables for charging on the go, while longer ones are perfect for airports or hard-to-reach outlets (like between airplane seats.)

I’m also obsessed with the 3 in 1 folding Apple charger. It gives me the 3 chargers I need most in a slim profile. It is perfect for making sure that the adults have charged gear no matter where we are.

We lean heavily on headphones when we are traveling and the headphone cords take a beating. I always like to have an extra Auxiliary Audio Cable when we travel for a headphone emergency. Our Bluetooth headphones can become wired and these cables have saved us when the kids wanted to use the inflight video system, a library Playaway or when the Bluetooth died (or just failed to connect.)

And since I know you’re going to ask, we love these Bluetooth headphones from iCleaver Kids as well as these Conect+Pro from LilGadgets.

Keep Your Cords Organized

I have a few different options for managing all the cords I end up carrying.

The FYY Electronics Organizer is compact and lightweight that fits easily into my backpack or luggage. It has multiple compartments of different sizes that can accommodate cords, cables, and even small electronic devices such as chargers, power banks, and headphones. The organizer also has a durable and water-resistant material that provides an extra layer of protection for my cords, ensuring that they remain untangled and undamaged throughout my travels. I try to avoid black accessories so that they are easier to find under a dark airplane seat and catch my eye if I happen to leave them behind.

For longer trips, I also rely on this larger Electronics Organizer that I keep in my carry-on bag. Its multiple compartments and elastic loops make it easy to keep different types of cords organized and accessible. Additionally, the organizer is large enough to accommodate a few extra items, such as charging bricks or adapters, that I might need during my trip. When I’m bringing along my recording equipment, the organizer is even big enough to hold everything securely in place.

As the designated cord carrier for our family trips, I usually carry most of the cords we need. However, I also make sure that my kids have some of their own, especially when we’re separated on the plane. I don’t want them to constantly search for me to borrow cords. That’s why I love using the Vaultz Console Mesh bags. These bags are perfect for managing a few cords and cables in their backpacks. They keep the cords from getting damaged and allow the kids to easily see what they are carrying. With these bags, my kids can keep their cords organized and accessible, giving me peace of mind during our travels.

I love these little silicone magnetic cable ties to keep everything tidy inside the bags.

If you have a hard time remembering what cord goes to what these velcro cable labels can be very helpful. Again the bright colors help make sure they never get left behind.

Expand Your Outlets

With so many gadgets to charge, the first tip for managing electronics when traveling with three kids is to expand your outlet space. Instead of packing multiple chargers that take up valuable luggage space, opt for chargers that let you charge more than one thing at a time. By using these types of chargers, you can keep all of your devices charged and ready to go without sacrificing space in your luggage. We lean heavily on two wall outlets to give us maximum charging on the go.

With its four USB plugs and folding prongs, the iHome Slim USB Wall Charger is a convenient tool to rapidly charge up to four devices at once. I make sure to keep it in my carry-on so that even if I can only secure one wall plug at the airport, we can still charge all our devices quickly. Plus it comes in cute colors, making it easier to identify and less likely to get left behind.

If you need more flexibility when it comes to plugging in your devices in hotel rooms or on the go, consider using a travel power strip. This one comes with a 4ft extension cord, flat outlet, 3 USB ports, and 4 outlets. Plus, it stores compactly for easy transport. It’s perfect for situations where the only available outlet is inconveniently located behind the bedside table.

Charge on the Go

Despite our best efforts to keep our devices charged before we travel, sometimes we end up with a dead battery when we need it the most. Maybe it’s due to a flight delay, taking too many pictures, or simply forgetting to charge everything the night before. That’s why having a portable battery is essential. These handy devices allow you to charge your devices on the go, without having to search for an available power outlet or wait for a charging station.

My go-to battery pack is the Zendure Power Bank. It is a workhorse and more than compensates for a less-than-perfect phone battery. The Zendure Power Bank has a large capacity, which means it can charge most smartphones multiple times before recharging itself. Additionally, it has multiple charging ports, including a USB-C PD port that can fast charge compatible devices, making it versatile and convenient for charging all your devices on the go.

If you have a phone with MagSafe, check out the adorable Casely Power Pod. They come in adorable designs and mag onto your phone so you can charge them while you use them.

I always pop this Ankr charger into one of the boy’s bags for trips. It’s bright and covered with silicone so it can stand up to being a kid’s travel accessory. This portable charger is great because it has a slim and compact design, making it easy to carry in your pocket or purse while still providing a capacity of 10,000mAh to charge your devices. Additionally, it features both USB-C and USB-A ports, allowing you to charge multiple devices at once and making it compatible with a wide range of devices.

Traveling with kids can be even more challenging when it comes to managing electronics. With a family of five, I try to make sure we are bringing only what we need. Our product recommendations, such as the Vaultz Console Mesh bags for managing cords and the iHome Slim USB Wall charger for charging multiple devices at once, can be particularly useful for families. Investing in these gadgets can make it easier to keep everyone’s devices organized and charged, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience for the whole family.

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