Non-Toxic Travel Gear For Babies, Toddlers & Kids
Are you traveling with kids? We’ve found the best non-toxic travel gear for kids that’s free from harmful chemicals like PFAS and flame retardants. Find all the best non-toxic kids travel gear for your next trip in this roundup of kids luggage, strollers, travel cribs, car seats and more.
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Traveling with kids is way more complicated than any all-adult trip I’ve ever been on. There’s just so much more gear that you need to lug around when you have kids in tow. And if you’re worried about keeping your little ones away from harmful chemicals like PFAS and flame retardants, that makes your travel list that much more complicated. Never fear- I’ve done the hard work of sifting through loads of kids travel gear to find you the best non-toxic travel essentials for your kids.
Using non-toxic travel gear for your kids will give you peace of mind that they won’t be exposed to harmful chemicals in their luggage, travel cribs, strollers, car seats, and travel accessories. Harmful chemicals like phthalates, BPA, flame retardants and PFAS can often be found on material and parts used to make travel gear. Luckily there are companies that make kids travel gear without the harmful chemicals that parents worry about.
Certifications To Look For In Non-Toxic Travel Gear
Greenguard Gold certification meets some of the world’s most rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards. The certification means that products emit lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde than regular Greenguard certified products. The certification process involves testing and reviewing products for over 10,000 chemicals and VOC emissions.
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified items including every thread, button and accessory are tested against a list of over 1,000 substances that are harmful to your health but also to the environment.
GOTS Organic Cotton Certification– The Global Organic Textile Standard is a third-party certification that ensures a product is made from organic materials, in an environmentally friendly way by workers who are paid and treated fairly.
What To Avoid in Travel Gear For Kids
Avoid travel bags with a Prop 65 Warning label– check all tags (don’t forget to check the fine print too). There are several brands that I’ve personally checked into and emailed to make sure their luggage doesn’t have the Prop 65 warning label. I also asked each company if their luggage contained PFAS, and all of the brands I recommend below do not contain PFAS either. Find more non-toxic luggage & travel bags here.
PFAS– Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in various industrial applications and consumer products since the 1940s. They are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body, leading to their persistence over time. These “forever chemicals” are linked to adverse health issues like testicular and kidney cancer, thyroid disease, obesity, weakened immunity and other health problems.
PVC– Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) contains harmful chemicals like lead, phthalates and BPA/BPS/BPF. Aside from the human health impacts, PVC is an environmental pollutant.
Lead- Lead exposure can contribute to health problems, including learning and developmental problems, nausea, fatigue, headache, hyperactivity, and brain and nerve damage.
BPA, BPS and BPF– Bisphenols are endocrine disrupting chemicals, which means they interact with hormones in the body, and exposure has been linked to changes in insulin response levels and coronary heart disease, among other health concerns.
Don’t Forget These Essentials when Traveling With Kids
I’ve listed lots of kids’ travel gear below, but this is not an exhaustive list. There are other non-toxic must-haves like a non-toxic first aid kit, sunscreen for the whole family, safer bug spray, non-toxic anti-itch cream, non-toxic lotion for kids, PFAS-free rain gear for kids, beach & sand toys, non-toxic bath products and UV protective swim & beach clothing.
From strollers to car seats to luggage, read on to discover the best non-toxic travel gear for your family’s next adventure. Kids of all ages can use the non-toxic travel gear listed below.
Strollers
If you have a baby, toddler or even a younger kid that tires easily from walking, then a travel stroller is a must. I found 2 brands that are free from PFAS and other harmful chemicals, so you can have peace of mind that your little one is not being exposed to harmful chemicals as they sit or nap in their stroller. Avoid stroller accessories like rain covers that are made from PVC. I also looked for strollers that were lightweight and folded up with one hand while also folding up compact for traveling.
Bugaboo Butterfly Travel Stroller
Cost | $ 479
Highlights | The smart and easy 1 second folding system offers a true fold & go experience with just one free hand. This stroller is PFA/PFC-free. Also free from BPA, phthalates, toxic dyes & perfumes, pesticides, PVC, & added formaldehyde.
Nuna TRVL Stroller
Cost | $ 550
Highlights | This travel stroller features a one-handed fold that allows you to collapse the stroller into a compact, free-standing package that can be stashed in the carry bag. Nuna products meet the standards for GREENGUARD GOLD certification. This means that they have been thoroughly tested and certified to meet stringent emissions standards for over 360 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemical emissions. They are PFAS-free and fire-retardant-free. Or purchase the Nuna TRVL™ LX + PIPA™ urbn Infant Travel System together as a set.
Car Seats
Car seats are non-negotiable for any baby, toddler and child that doesn’t meet the requirements for sitting independently with a seat belt. The car seats I found are free from flame retardants and PFAS, so you can rest easily knowing your child will be protected if there’s an accident, but they also won’t be exposed to harmful chemicals from the car seat.
Nuna Pipa aire RX Infant Car Seat
Cost | $550 – $575
Highlights | Lightweight (6.2 pounds), AA certified for aircraft use with or without a base and connects with all Nuna strollers to create a stylish travel system. It’s Greenguard Gold certified, doesn’t contain added fire-retardant chemicals and is PFAS-free.
Britax Emblem Convertible Car Seat
Cost | $ 238.30
Highlights | This 3-Stage convertible car seat easily transitions from rear-facing mode to forward-facing mode as your child grows from baby to toddler. The safe wash cover is knit with construction that’s naturally flame retardant. This car seat is also PFAS-free and weighs 19.5 pounds.
WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat
Cost | $ 495
Highlights | Pico is a car seat that’s actually portable! It features a compact fold and weighs just 8lbs! This forward-facing car seat fits kids 22-50 lbs and 30-45 inches. Recommended for ages 2+. The Pico passes all U.S. safety standards for motor vehicles and planes. Thanks to the wool-polyester blend, it’s inherently flame resistant and also is PFAS-free.
Portable Cribs & Play Yards
Portable cribs and play yards are so handy, but you have to watch out for coatings like PFAS, added flame retardants and PVC. The play yards below are either Greenguard Gold certified or Oeko-Tex certified.
Guava Lotus Travel Crib
Cost | $ 229.95
Highlights | This is one of the only portable play yards that is GreenGuard Gold certified. No PVC, lead, formaldehyde, mercury, arsenic, phthalates, or other dangerous chemicals. The Guava Lotus with Bassinet (sold as a separate kit) . It weighs just 13 lbs. and fits into its own backpack! The Lotus turns into a crib or play yard super easily. It features a side zipper, which is handy for laying down beside your baby and helping them get to sleep. Make user to bring Luuvberries Organic Fitted Crib Sheets that fit the Guava travel crib perfectly!
Nuna Cove AIRE Travel Play Crib
Cost | $ 350
Highlights | Features a simple central push/pull one-handed set-up and take-down and a bassinet attachment that snaps in. This play yard weighs 22 lbs. without the bassinet and is free of flame retardants, phthalates, lead, PVC, and BPA. It is OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified, is made with non-toxic dyes and inks, is Greenguard Gold certified and low VOC, and the lining, sheet, and even the travel bag are machine washable.
Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light
Cost | $ 279
Highlights | This travel crib is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. There’s no bassinet attachment, so it’s best for babies over five months or so and up to 3 years old. Although it’s similar to the Guava Lotus, it doesn’t have a side zipper for easy access.
Sleeping Mats & Pads
If you’re traveling and your toddler or child needs a sleeping surface, I found some that are either non-toxic or have lower toxicity than most plastic blow-up beds. Organic hemp or organic cotton are the safest materials since they will not off-gas and produce harmful VOCs. If you need something that packs up smaller, especially if you’ll be traveling on an airplane, then the Stokke inflatable bed is your next best bet for being lower-tox than a traditional PVC blow-up mattress.
Organic Hemp Sleeping Mat
Cost | $ 94
Highlights | Natural Organic sleeping bag filled ORGANIC HEMP FIBER with organic Hemp & Linen fabric! Hand-made, very soft, completely organic, especially home made with love! This mat can be used for camping and traveling.
Organic Hemp Futon Mat
Cost | $ 125
Highlights | This hemp shikibuton futon mat is 3” thick and filled with organic hemp fiber filler. It has natural non-dyed Cotton fabric with handles.
Naturepedic Nap Mat
Cost | $ 99
Highlights | Naturepedic’s Rest Pad is MADE SAFE® certified, waterproof, easy to clean and foldable for hassle-free storage.
Stokke Cloudsleeper Inflatable Kids Bed
Cost | $ 129
Highlights | This bed is perfect if you are going on a plane and need something that packs up really well. It’s made of TPU, which is a kind of polyurethane that is typically recyclable and biodegradable and made with less harmful chemicals and no phthalates. While this is not a perfect material, it is PVC-free.
Diaper Bags
As a mom of littles, you’re using your diaper bag constantly. Why expose yourself and your baby to PFAS and other harmful chemicals that are common in most diaper bags? The two diaper bags below are free from harmful chemicals like PFAS and PVC, so you can have peace of mind that you and your baby won’t be exposed to toxins during changing time.
UPPAbaby Diaper Backpack & Changing Pad
Cost | $129.99
Highlights | This diaper backpack easily attaches to strollers with the included stroller straps that store away when not in use. It features multiple compartments to keep diapers and wipes within reach and has an insulated bottle case and easy-to-clean changing pad. I love that it’s PFAS-free!
State Lorimer Diaper Bag
Cost | $198
Highlights | Equipped with an insulated bottle pocket, a changing pad, a slip pocket for your phone, easily adjustable straps that attach to your stroller, a luggage sleeve to make travel just a bit easier, and side bottle sleeves. The back compartment inside the bag fits a 15” laptop as well as a back mesh pocket for all the dirty stuff while the main compartment has all the right pockets for the necessities- diapers, wipes, pacis, bibs, and toys.
Kids Luggage
Travel without the toxins- let your child wheel around a non-toxic suitcase that doesn’t have Prop 65 warning labels for harmful chemicals.
Quince Carry-On Kids Suitcase
Cost | $100
Highlights | Features two interior compartments: one with an elastic strap for securing items in place, and the other with a zippered flap closure and a mesh exterior pocket for added organization. Exterior front pocket features slip and organization pockets for markers, pens, notebooks, and other travel activities. Zip-up side pocket with strap to hold water bottle or stuffed animal.
State Logan Carry-On Suitcase
Cost | $220
Highlights | The Logan Carry-On is perfect for short trips and long weekends. Designed with traveling families in mind, every pocket, side strap and compartment was thoughtfully created to travel with ease… and style.
State Logan Check-In Suitcase
Cost | $385
Highlights | Large enough for over a week away and designed with traveling families in mind, every pocket, side strap and compartment was thoughtfully created to travel with ease… and style.
Terra Thread Zem Mini Backpack
Cost | $66
Highlights | This backpack is small but mighty and has all the durability and organizational features needed for school, work or outdoor activities.
Quince Kids Double Pocket Backpack
Cost | $45
Highlights | With spacious compartments, utilitarian details, and padded, adjustable straps, it offers plenty of room for kids’ essentials.
State Kane Kids Travel Backpack
Cost | $105
Highlights | This backpack is the perfect companion for family vacations, school trips and beyond (polyester).
Packing Cubes
Select packing accessories that don’t contain PFAS and other harmful chemicals for your child.
Quince Eco Compression Packing Cubes
Cost | $50 (set of 6)
Highlights | Crafted in durable, water-resistant twill, this packing cube system features a space-saving compact design so you can pack more and stay organized. Each packing cube can be compressed by up to 60%, so you never have to worry about overpacking again.
State Benson Toiletry Kit
Cost | $68
Highlights | This tri-compartment zip-around hanging dropp kit is perfect for family travels.
Wet Dry Bag
Cost | $10
Highlights | With zippered closure. 100% polyester with embedded TPU for waterproofing.
Linen Packing Cubes
Cost | $49-$89
Highlights | Handmade with Linen, Full grain leather, YKK zippers.
High Chairs & Booster Seats
Stokke Clikk High Chair With Cushion & Travel Bag
Cost | $239
Highlights | This travel high chair is suitable for kids 6 to 36 months. It features a lightweight design and can be easily taken apart and put into the companion travel bag for easy transport. The cushion is certified through OCS 100 and Oeko-Tex 100, with a PFC-free water repellent material for easy cleaning.
Keekaroo Cafe Booster Seat
Cost | $59.95
Highlights | This non-toxic booster seat is perfect for kids aged 12 months to 4 years. The material is free from BPA, Nitrosamines, Phthalates, PVC, Latex and other toxins.
Inglesina Table Top High Chair
Cost | $84
Highlights | This portable table top high chair features a convenient carry bag that’s located and stored underneath the seat for easier portability. It’s suitable for babies and toddlers aged 6 and 36 months (weight limit is 37 pounds). This chair is free from free of harmful chemicals, such as BPA, BPS, PFAs, lead, phthalates, flame retardants, methyl biphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) or TDCPP
BabyBjorn Booster Seat
Cost | $44.99
Highlights | This booster seat is perfect for kids 3 years and older. It’s made of BPA-free, PVC-free plastic and complies with the ASTM 2640-17 safety standard.
Food Containers
Swap out your plastic food containers for safer options like stainless steel and silicone. Try to pack healthier snacks like veggie sticks, fresh fruit, trail mix, low sugar granola bars, homemade energy balls, low sugar Greek yogurt, string cheese, jerky, dried fruit, edamame, hummus and nut butters for dipping.
Munchkin Stainless Steel Snack Catcher Cup
Cost | $ 21.30
Highlights | Premium, stainless steel 9 ounce toddler snack container with lid and soft flaps for easy food access. Light-weight, durable and easy to clean.
Lunchbots Snack Container
Cost | $ 23.99
Highlights | This divided stainless steel lunch box saves you the hassle of opening countless containers for quick convenience and a beautiful presentation. Made from 18/8 stainless steel.
Stainless Steel Travel Snack Containers
Cost | $ 25.56 for 3
Highlights | Made of food-grade 18/8 stainless steel. Portable, with leak-proof silicone seal.
Stasher Silicone Snack Bags
Cost | $ 9.99
Highlights | These self-sealing, reusable snack bags are an alternative to single-use plastic bags, and they contain no BPA, no PVC, and no latex.
Water Bottles
Depending on how long you’re traveling, you may want to bring your own countertop water filter. If you’re going on a shorter trip, the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is a great option for filtering water on-the-go, or you can opt to use whatever water is available for drinking and just bring plastic-free water bottles. Here are the ones I like best:
Klean Kanteen TK Wide Twist Top Water Bottle
Cost | $ 32.95
Highlights |18/8 food grade stainless steel – BPA Free. Features a stainless steel interior straw.
Klean Kanteen TK Wide Water Bottle
Cost | $ 29.95
Highlights |18/8 food grade stainless steel . This 12 oz bottle can be retrofit with a Klean Kanteen Twist Top With Stainless Steel Straw that’s perfect for kids.
Hydroflask Stainless Steel Standard Mouth Water Bottle
Cost | $ 27.97
Highlights | TempShield️ double-wall vacuum insulation, Leakproof when closed, Pure taste, no flavor transfer, Durable stainless steel
Hydroflask Kids Water Bottle
Cost | $ 29.95
Highlights | With a colorful, easy-to-clean Straw Cap and cute Bottle Boot, it’s the perfect kids water bottle. Ages 3+. Double-wall vacuum insulation stainless steel keeps drinks cold for hours.
Clearly Filtered Water Bottle
Cost | $ 79.65
Highlights | Independently Tested to comply with NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, 473, Removes up to 99.9% of 220+ contaminants, Reduces Fluoride 99.52%, Chlorine 99.43%, & Lead 99.34%, 1 Filter = 25 Gallons or 160 Refills, BPA BPS Free, Stainless Steel + Silicone Mouthpiece.
Travel Pillows & Blankets
Whether your child is napping or night sleeping, you’ll have peace of mind laying their head down on an organic pillow and swaddling your precious little one in an organic cotton blanket.
Avocado Organic Mini Pillow
Cost | $64
Highlights | Soft and breathable, they stuff their Organic Mini Pillow with renewable materials: GOTS-certified organic kapok fiber and GOLS-certified organic latex. We stitch it together using a gentle GOTS-certified organic cotton cover. Protect your pillow with the Avocado Organic Mini Pillowcase.
Avocado Organic Toddler Pillow
Cost | $34
Highlights | This toddler pillow is filled with GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic kapok fiber, covered in a gentle and breathable GOTS-certified organic cotton cover. Meets MADE SAFE® standards and winner of the Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards. Pir it with an Avocado Organic Mini Pillowcase.
Organic Cotton Toddler Quilted Muslin Blanket
Cost | $27.99
Highlights | This 47″x47″ toddler-sized organic muslin blanket is the perfect travel companion.
Organic Cotton Travel Baby Blanket
Cost | $19.95
Highlights | Made with GOTS certified 100% organic cotton. This toddler blanket is 30″x40″.
Extra Travel Accessories
Conventional hand sanitizer and wipes are loaded with fragrance, which can contain hundreds of chemicals, some of which are associated with hormone disruption. Keep your hands free from germs with low-tox sanitizer. Organic cotton pouches are another great non-toxic accessory to travel with- use them to stash everything from money to toys to travel toiletries.
Honest Sanitizing Wipes
Cost | $14 for 2 pack
Highlights | The perfect non-toxic way to tackle any germ-infested situation with ease.
Apple AirTag
Cost | $79 for 4
Highlights | Keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app.
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer
Cost | $18 for 2
Highlights | This hand sanitizer is formulated with only 4 ingredients, and it’s USDA certified organic.
Organic Cotton Canvas Zipper Pouches
Cost | $14 for 4 pouches
Highlights | Crafted from 100% high quality organic cotton fabric ; They are washable and reusable as well. Featuring a zippered design that keeps everything neat, secure and organized.
Travel Activities For Kids
Keeping kids busy during a long day of travel can be tough. If you purchase new activity books and games for your child, strategically take them out while you’re actually traveling, not beforehand. Your child has a better chance of staying occupied with toys, games and books that are new and novel.
Defendershield EMF-Free Over-The-Ear Headphones
Cost | $84.99
Highlights | EMF and Bluetooth radiation-free technology delivers crystal clear sound via hollow air tubes rather than traditional wires. Braided nylon cord is infused with copper for additional protection from Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) electrical signals. A safer swap for wireless earbuds.
Toddler Travel Busy Board
Cost | $ 22.94
Highlights | This sensory busy board for toddlers 1-3 is made of toxin-free soft fabrics and felt. It features a handle and fits in most diaper or school bags and is perfect for keeping kids occupied while on car, airplane, travel or settings needing quiet.
Melissa & Doug Travel Memory Game
Cost | $ 25.12
Highlights | Includes a wooden frame with 25 flaps and sliding scorekeepers, and 7 double-sided, laminated, themed game cards. Best for kids 5-7 years old.
Airplane Activity Book
Cost | $ 6.49
Highlights | This book is perfect for plane journeys, car rides, weekend activities or general entertainment. Activities include: Coloring pages, mazes (triangle, circle, square), word searches, unscramble the words, picture sudoku, complete the picture, story themed mazes and math puzzles
Travel-Sized Cleaners & Toiletries
It’s best to travel with your own non-toxic cleaning supplies and toiletries. We’ve been to many AirBnB’s that use laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaners that are loaded with fragrance and other harmful chemicals. Bring your own non-toxic toiletry products too!
Everneat Concentrated Cleaner
Cost | $ 20.99
Highlights | This non-toxic formula contains plant-based ingredients for powerful cleaning. Although TSA requires liquid to be under 3.4 oz and this is a 4 oz bottle, you can pour some of the concentrate out and weigh it so that it can pass through security.
Kind Travel Laundry Sheets
Cost | $ 9.99
Highlights | Tackle tough stains with Kind Laundry’s ultra-concentrated laundry detergent sheets. These laundry sheets are made with powerful plant-based surfactants–no unnecessary fillers and harmful chemicals included.
Plaine Products Skincare Travel Set
Cost | $ 25
Highlights | Travel bottles that can be refilled at home! Carry on size, TSA Compliant. Sulfate & Paraben Free. Kid safe and color safe shampoo & conditioner.
Miss Messy Eater Stain Travel Wipes
Cost | $ 17.49
Highlights | Non-toxic stain remover that works!
More Non-Toxic Inspiration For Kids
