34 Fun Gifts for Kids Who Love to Travel (and Inspire Wanderlust)

Travel Gifts to Teach Geography and Inspire Wanderlust

These are great travel and world-themed gifts to inspire curiosity, wanderlust, and learning in kids!

1. World Map Colorable Tablecloth

This world map tablecloth comes with ten washable markers. You can color in the world over and over again. We had a lot of fun with this!

Mark your past trips, color in your bucket list, doodle away, whatever you feel like. What a great project to do with the whole family!

This is a really cool activity the whole family can do together. We love these sorts of projects when grandparents and other relatives come over. It’s great to have a fun activity that appeals to all ages and gives our kids a chance to share some of their travel memories as they color.

We also love that the 7 New Wonders of the World are marked on this map!
You can also get this map in a color-in drawstring backpack style. This works best for kids who want their own project, and avoids arguments over who gets to color what!

This tablecloth also comes in a United States Map version (states are labeled), which would be great for families to color in as they visit each state, or to track a road trip.

Buy Now: World Map Colorable Tablecloth

2. Lego Duplo Town Airplane & Airport

This Airplane and Airport from Lego Duplo is a great way to get little kids excited about traveling.

Perfect for 2-4-year-olds, you can explain all about what happens when you get on a plane.

This is one of the best travel gifts for toddlers! You can even take some of the chunky pieces with you on a plane to keep them entertained on long flights.

Buy Now: Lego Duplo Town Airplane & Airport

3. Monuments of the World Building Set

This set lets you build 10 different monuments of the world, take them apart, and build them again!

Build an Ancient Pyramid, the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, the Statue of Liberty, and more. Also includes fact sheets and fun stickers.

You can also get this set in a Monuments of the USA edition!

Buy Now: Monuments of the World

4. Little Passports Subscription

Little Passports subscriptions are a great way to introduce kids to different cultures! E(4) used to get the Early Explorers edition, which focuses on a different theme each month, from space to animals.

S(7) loved her World Edition (ages 6-10), which focuses on a different country each month.

These are a great way to spread out the holiday fun all year long. They have expanded their range significantly to include sets for ages 3 to 10. They have some really cool science options, including Science Junior (ages 5-8), and Science Expeditions (ages 8+).

Buy Now: Little Passports Subscription

5. Giant City Coloring Poster

These extra-large posters are so much fun! I love that they have one for Brooklyn. They also have New York City, Los Angeles, Paris, the USA, and “Atlas”, which is the world map.

At 40 x 28 inches, this poster is framable when you’re done. Black and white with the different neighborhoods in a thicker, darker font. A handrawn look that includes Coney Island, DUMBO, Red Hook, Dyker Heights and more.

Buy Now: Giant Brooklyn City Poster

6. National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids magazine is a great way for kids to learn about the world from the comfort of their own room.

From animals to cities and culture, a subscription to this magazine is a wonderful way to get kids excited about making positive changes in the world. Best for ages 6-9.

Buy Now: National Geographic Kids

7. LEGO Architecture London Skyline

The London Skyline set from Lego Architecture is part of a whole series of cityscapes from around the world.

This is a wonderful way to introduce kids of all ages to famous landmarks and iconic buildings.

Buy Now: Lego Architecture London Skyline

8. LEGO LED Lights

For added fun and effect, check out this cool LED Light add-on Set for the London Skyline. Lego did not create this product, but it is designed specifically for this set to light up.

Buy Now: LEGO LED Lights

9. Toddler Backpack with Harness

For the littlest traveler, this toddler backpack holds their personal treasures as mom or dad can hold on to them in busy places. The provided harness can be clipped on or off.

Great for clipping to a stroller if you need to keep track of two little ones at once! Choose between several different adorable animal characters. Skip Hop is a brand we’ve used many times for our kids, and they always have great quality.

A great travel gift for toddlers that will help keep them safe.

Buy Now: Toddler Backpack with Harness

10. Kids’ 18 Liter Backpack

This Kids’ Backpack from REI is one of our family favorites. The Tarn 18-liter is a great, durable backpack with plenty of room for adventure. With lots of pockets, including mounting for a hydration reservoir (not included), and a great stash pocket for a rain jacket or sweatshirt, it makes a great day pack or travel pack.

Rated for ages 8-12, but our four-year-old wore hers comfortably with plenty of room to grow. She is now eight, and the backpack is still in great shape.

Buy Now: Kids’ 18 Liter Backpack

11. Kids’ Wireless Headphones

These Wireless Bluetooth Headphones from JLab are our top choice in kids’ headphones. They include volume limiting, so you know they are safe for young ears. With 35+ hours of wireless playtime, they also come with a USB cable for recharging.

For longer trips, there is an included standard 3.5mm headphone cable and share port, so two kids can watch the same show without disturbing others.

We have tried many headphones, and these are our favorite for travel. See our full review of the best kids’ headphones. Our kids have been using these for two years straight, and they are just starting to show wear. Highly recommend.

Buy Now: Kids’ Wireless Headphones

12. Kids’ Funky Polarized Sunglasses

Our kids love their Knockaround Polarized Sunglasses, and for the price, we love them too!

With so many fun colors and designs to choose from, each of our kids picked out their own pair.

With full UV400 sun protection, we feel good about their eyes being protected, but also know it is not the end of the world if they break them.

Buy Now: Kids’ Polarized Sunglasses

13. Kids’ Watch & Fitness Tracker

This Fitness Tracker and Watch for kids 5-16 is great for travel. Small and lightweight, this easy-to-read watch also tracks their steps, distance traveled, and calories burned by tapping the watch display or use the free phone app.

Each set comes with an adjustable band and lasts a week on a 2-hour charge with the included USB cable.

Buy Now: Kids’ Watch & Fitness Tracker

14. Kids’ Flashlight

The Dorcy 55 Lumen Floating Waterproof LED Flashlight is great for kids. Its rugged design will stand up to even the toughest abuse and will last over eight hours with the included 3 AA batteries.

With colors kids will love, it is sure to be a favorite, whether camping in the wilderness, in the backyard, traveling, or in their bedroom.

Buy Now: Kids’ Flashlight

15. Kids’ LED Headlamp

Kids love gearing up for an adventure! Our kids love using these, whether while exploring the caves at Craters of the Moon or their own fort under the kitchen table. These headlamps are also great for bathroom trips when camping. They make every kid feel like an explorer.

This LED headlamp comes in multiple fun colors, and at 2.2 oz, it is lightweight for small heads. It has seven different light modes and is waterproof.

Buy Now: Kids’ LED Headlamp

16. Kids Starter Digital Camera

A digital camera is a great way for kids to process what they see while traveling, make their own souvenirs, and start to learn the basic principles of photography.

This 36-megapixel camera is a great starter camera- it’s easy to operate, comes in fun colors, and won’t break the bank if they drop it into the creek on a family hike.

Buy Now: Kids Starter Digital Camera

17. Map of the World Puzzle

This Map of the World Puzzle is 78 pieces- perfect for kids ages 4-8 to do on their own. Includes continent labels, landmarks, and animals around the world.

Made by Mudpuppy, a company that always makes high-quality kids’ puzzles and games.

Buy Now: Map of the World Puzzle

18. GeoPuzzles Jigsaw Puzzles

Geopuzzles are a puzzles of a certain geographic area, such as Europe or Asia. Each puzzle piece is shaped like a country! These are fun, colorful ways for kids to learn geography.

Buy Now: GeoPuzzles Jigsaw Puzzles

19. Wild Kratts Board Game

Our girls love the Wild Kratts on PBS Kids! In this Race Around the World board game, players race to collect Creature Power Suit cards while learning about animals and habitats.

For 2-4 players, best for ages 5+. Add your own rules to make it more complicated.

Buy Now: Wild Kratts Board Game

20. Continent Race Board Game

Continent Race is a trivia board game, where you try to collect cards from countries on each continent. This game won the Creative Child Awards’ 2020 Game of the Year.

Best for ages 7 and up, featuring matching cards that help learn geography. There are different levels of difficulty, so you can adjust it easily to fit your family.

Buy Now: Continent Race Board Game

21. Ticket to Ride Board Game

This board game for ages 8+ sends you around Europe to build train lines and connect tunnels. This is a strategy game for 2-5 players.

Travel from Edinburgh to Constantinople, and from Lisbon to Moscow, as you connect the great cities of turn-of-the-century Europe.

Buy Now: Ticket to Ride Board Game

22. Bookstore Gift Card

Not sure which book to buy? How about a Bookshop.org gift card?

Bookshop.org is an online bookstore that helps to support local, independent bookstores financially. You can choose a specific local bookstore to support, or your order will be distributed evenly among all the locally run stores that Bookshop.org supports.

Buy Now: Bookstore Gift Card

23. Little Park Ranger Board Book Series

This series of board books for the littlest travelers includes books organized by plants, animals, water, and land. From Carlsbad Caverns to Arches National Park, this introduces young kids to some of the United States’ natural wonders.

There is not much text in these books, so the focus is really on the images. They also have a Little Traveler Series that covers food, vehicles, landmarks, and animals around the world. The biggest complaint about these books is that they are too short!

A great travel-themed gift for toddlers to spark their curiosity about the National Parks!

Buy Now: Little Park Ranger Board Book Series

24. Atlas of Adventures: World Wonders

We first spotted this gem in the bookshop while visiting the Art Science Museum in Singapore. This book of World Wonders is one of several in the Atlas of Adventures Series. With beautiful illustrations and thick glossy pages, you won’t want to put this book down.

We had seen six of the seven New Wonders of the World while looking through this book as a family, and our kids loved seeing all the places they had been and remembering how much fun they had.

Buy Now: Atlas of Adventures: World Wonders

25. The “Good Night World” Series

We love this bedtime board book series by Adam Gamble! We were given Good Night California when S was born, and soon added Good Night New York City to our bookshelves.

Whether you choose your home state or city, or where Grandma lives, with over 100 titles, this book series is sure to engage little minds.

Buy Now: The “Good Night World” Series

26. Babies Around the World Dancing

Babies Around the World Dancing is a board book that shows babies dancing together all around the world. Including China, Brazil, South Africa, and more. An adorable introduction to cultures around the world.

Buy Now: Babies Around the World Dancing

27. Where Would Santa Go?

In Where Would Santa Go?, two kids travel with Santa (the world’s greatest traveler) from Germany to Tanzania, Antarctica, and more, learning as they go.

A fun, festive picture book for kids to learn about different places around the world.

Buy Now: Where Would Santa Go?

28. Celebrations Around the World

Celebrations Around the World features colorful illustrations of celebrations around the world, from Carnival in Rio de Janeiro to the Hindu festival of Holi.

This picture book is a wonderful way to introduce children to different cultural traditions around the world.

Buy Now: Celebrations Around the World

29. Father Christmas Goes on Holiday

Father Christmas Goes on Holiday was one of my favorite picture books as a child. My mother would bring it out around the holidays, and this might have been the book that first inspired me to travel.

Where does Father Christmas go when he is not working? In this book, he tries out Scotland, Italy, France, and the US.

Buy Now: Father Christmas Goes on Holiday

30. The Travel Book by Lonely Planet

The Travel Book by Lonely Planet is a fantastic way for kids to learn fun facts about countries around the world!

Arranged by continent, this book covers every country in the world, as well as some not officially recognized as countries.

An updated edition was released in December 2021, so you know it’s accurate. Best for ages 9+.

Buy Now: The Travel Book by Lonely Planet

31. Britannica All New Kids’ Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don’t

I love the concept of this Encyclopedia for kids! Kids tend to think adults have all the answers- this book compiles cool facts about the world, including highlighting things we still don’t know! Best for kids ages 6-10.

Buy Now: Kids’ Encyclopedia

32. Fairy Tales for Fearless Girls

Fairy Tales for Fearless Girls features fairy tales from around the world that showcase strong, empowered heroines. Includes fairy tales from Greece, Argentina, Niger, China, and more.

Buy Now: Fairy Tales for Fearless Girls

33. If You Lived Here: Houses of the World

If You Lived Here illustrates some of the different houses people live in around the world- from caves to floating houses to yurts. Santa may just be bringing this book to us this year.

Buy Now: If You Lived Here, Houses of the World

34. Wondrous Women Who Changed the World

We found this hardcover book in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo. Our girls love reading about Frida Kahlo, and they also love the paper cutouts of the different women in history that you can use to act out with or display. This should be on every child’s reading list.

Buy Now: Wondrous Women Who Changed the World

35. A Year Full of Stories

A Year Full of Stories: 52 Classic Stories from Around the World charts the changing of the seasons with stories about traditions and holidays from around the world.

Each chapter represents a month of the year. Includes various perspectives, including stories from Iroquois, Arabic, and Buddhist traditions. Illustrated by Christopher Corr, this is a beautiful book to read aloud year-round!

Buy Now: A Year Full of Stories