62 Ways to Ace Holiday Travel With Kids

Playmats are another necessary evil in the large baby gear department. They're great for stimulating tots and encouraging tummy time, but they're space hogs in the closet or trunk of the car. Chicco's Fun Travel Activity Nest ($65) packs all the activity of a full-size play space into a portable pod that zips up for easy travel. Pull up the sides to create a cozy retreat for newborns, or let it down to expand the play area for infants. Either way it packs plenty of fun into its compact size.