my picks for
Prime Day Favorites
picksPrime Big Deal Days is October 6 and 7, and every year I get the same question: what's actually worth it? So here's my list. The first half is the stuff that lives in our van and our house, the things I'd buy again tomorrow. The second half is what everyone's talking about for fall and the holidays right now, and it's what I'm watching for deals myself. Prices jump around all week, so check the price on Amazon before you buy.
Oct 6–7, 2026 · Prime Big Deal Days
share this board →We love it lives in our van or our house
On our wishlist popular picks we haven’t tried yet
for the open road
Road Trip Essentials
picksWe have driven more miles than I can count with a van full of kids. These are the things that make it work.
Year-round favorites
share this board →We love it lives in our van or our house
On our wishlist popular picks we haven’t tried yet
for little learners
Kids + Learning
picksBooks, activities and resources we use in our roadschooling life. Everything here has been kid tested and mom approved.
Year-round favorites
share this board →We love it lives in our van or our house
On our wishlist popular picks we haven’t tried yet
for the bunks
Books + Read-Alouds
picksThe books that live in the van and on the bunks. Mostly the series my kids tear through on long drives, plus the Kindle that saves us a whole suitcase.
Year-round favorites
share this board →We love it lives in our van or our house
On our wishlist popular picks we haven’t tried yet
pack smarter
Travel Gear
picksLuggage, the bags, and everything else that makes getting there a little easier with a big family.
Year-round favorites
share this board →We love it lives in our van or our house
On our wishlist popular picks we haven’t tried yet
around the house
Home Favorites
picksThe things that make our home feel like home even when we spend half our life on the road. Tried, tested and genuinely loved.
Year-round favorites
share this board →We love it lives in our van or our house
On our wishlist popular picks we haven’t tried yet
get outside
Outdoor + Adventure
picksHiking gear, camping essentials, outdoor games and everything else for families who would rather be outside than in.
Year-round favorites
share this board →We love it lives in our van or our house
On our wishlist popular picks we haven’t tried yet
1
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2
We love it
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2
The big one. It runs our fridge, charges every device in the van, and powers the Yoto at bedtime. If you've been waiting for a sale on one big thing, make it this.
$250+
Shop on Amazon1
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2
We love it
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2
The big one. It runs our fridge, charges every device in the van, blow dries my hair, and powers the Yoto at bedtime. If you're serious about van trips or family camping, it's this.
$250+
Shop on Amazon
1
Yoto Mini
We love it
Yoto Mini
A screen free audiobook player that comes out on every long drive and at every bedtime, and the kids run it themselves.
Photo: Sandstein via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain). Background removed.
$50–100
Shop on Amazon1
Fablehaven, the complete set
We love it
Fablehaven, the complete set
All five books in one box, by a Utah author. This is the series that gets passed down the bunks.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon1
Drawstring cinch backpacks, 50 pack
We love it
Drawstring cinch backpacks, 50 pack
This is my whole packing system for all my kids and it costs like twenty dollars. Every kid gets a color. Clothes go in, dirty clothes come out into the same bag, done.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon1
Amazon Basics electric kettle
We love it
Amazon Basics electric kettle
Boils fast and shuts itself off. Ours is on hot cocoa and oatmeal duty at home and in the van.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon1
AquaQuest tarp
We love it
AquaQuest tarp
Shade, rain cover, a place to eat when the picnic table is wet. We use this more than the tent.
$100–250
Shop on Amazon2
Yoto Mini
We love it
Yoto Mini
A screen-free audio player the kids run all by themselves. It comes out on every long drive and at every bedtime, and it's an easy Christmas gift to grab early.
Photo: Sandstein via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain). Background removed.
$50–100
Shop on Amazon2
Yoto cards: Horrible Histories
We love it
Yoto cards: Horrible Histories
If you want ONE card pack to start with, do this one. My kids know more about the Tudors than I do.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon2
Michael Vey, books 1 through 7
We love it
Michael Vey, books 1 through 7
Richard Paul Evans, another Utah author. The older kids read these on the long drives.
$50–100
Shop on Amazon2
Cozy Essential vacuum bags with the pump
We love it
Cozy Essential vacuum bags with the pump
Bedding and off-season clothes. We shrink it all down and shove it up in the top cubbies.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon2
SafeRest waterproof mattress protector
We love it
SafeRest waterproof mattress protector
Waterproof, quiet, and it goes straight in the wash. We have them on the queen and the full.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon2
LifeStraw Peak
We love it
LifeStraw Peak
Every kid has one in their backpack and honestly it's for my peace of mind.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon
3
Kindle Colorsoft
We love it
Kindle Colorsoft
One device instead of a suitcase of books. The color screen makes the kids' graphic novels look right, and Kindles usually go on sale during Prime events, so this is the week to look.
Photo: Kyu3a via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). Cut out and straightened; this edit is shared under the same license.
$250+
Shop on Amazon3
weBoost Dash cell signal booster
We love it
weBoost Dash cell signal booster
This is how I run a business from a dirt road in Montana. Not kidding.
$100–250
Shop on Amazon3
Osmo Genius Starter Kit
We love it
Osmo Genius Starter Kit
Turns the iPad into school. Math and spelling and drawing, and they think it's a game.
$100–250
Shop on Amazon3
Percy Jackson, the 5 book boxed set
We love it
Percy Jackson, the 5 book boxed set
Greek mythology that sticks. We pull these out when we're headed anywhere with a museum.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon3
NISHEL hanging toiletry bag
We love it
NISHEL hanging toiletry bag
It hangs on any hook, so nothing has to live on a wet campground counter.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon3
CleverMade collapsible laundry baskets, 2 pack
We love it
CleverMade collapsible laundry baskets, 2 pack
64 liters each and they fold flat, so they come on trips and disappear when we're home.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon3
MARCHWAY folding camp chair
We love it
MARCHWAY folding camp chair
Folds down small and light enough that the kids carry their own.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon4
Osmo Genius Kit
We love it
Osmo Genius Kit
Turns the iPad into school. Math and spelling and drawing, and they think it's a game. It saves our rainy roadschool days.
$100–250
Shop on Amazon4
Headlamps, 4 pack, white and red light
We love it
Headlamps, 4 pack, white and red light
They live in the door pocket for the walk to the bathrooms after dark, and nobody has to fight over the one flashlight.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon4
Kindle Colorsoft
We love it
Kindle Colorsoft
One device instead of a suitcase of books. The color screen makes the kids' graphic novels look right.
Photo: Kyu3a via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). Cut out and straightened; this edit is shared under the same license.
$250+
Shop on Amazon4
Digital luggage scale
We love it
Digital luggage scale
For the trips where we fly instead of drive. Fifty pounds sneaks up on you fast with a family this size.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon4
Miss Mouth's Messy Eater stain treater
We love it
Miss Mouth's Messy Eater stain treater
For the ketchup and the popsicles and everything else that ends up on a shirt.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon4
National Geographic air rocket launcher
We love it
National Geographic air rocket launcher
Stomp on the pad and the foam rocket goes way higher than you'd think. It comes out at every campsite with room to run.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon5
LifeStraw Peak
We love it
LifeStraw Peak
Every kid has one in their backpack and honestly it's for my peace of mind.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon6
Headlamps, 4 pack (white + red light)
We love it
Headlamps, 4 pack (white + red light)
They live in the door pocket for the walk to the bathrooms after dark, and nobody has to fight over the one flashlight.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon7
Travel vacuum bags with USB pump
We love it
Travel vacuum bags with USB pump
Bedding and off-season clothes. We shrink it all down and shove it up in the top cubbies, and the little pump makes it quick.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon8
Scrubba Wash Bag
We love it
Scrubba Wash Bag
A whole load of laundry, done by hand, in a bag the size of a water bottle. Saves us on the longer trips.
$50–100
Shop on Amazon9
weBoost Dash cell signal booster
We love it
weBoost Dash cell signal booster
This is how I run a business from a dirt road in Montana. Not kidding.
$100–250
Shop on Amazon10
Amazon Basics electric kettle
We love it
Amazon Basics electric kettle
Boils fast and shuts itself off. Ours is on hot cocoa and oatmeal duty at home and in the van.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon2
Car charging cable for the Jackery
On our wishlist
Car charging cable for the Jackery
Charging the Jackery while we drive is how we pull into camp with a full battery. The cable we had isn't sold anymore, so this well-reviewed one is the replacement on my list. It has the DC8020 plug the Explorer 2000 v2 takes.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon11
Marycele candle warmer lamp
On our wishlist
Marycele candle warmer lamp
This one has been on my wishlist all fall. It melts the candle from the top, so you get that cozy fall smell without an open flame around little hands, and I can't wait to try it.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon12
Bedsure soft fleece blanket
On our wishlist
Bedsure soft fleece blanket
I've had my eye on this one for movie nights. It's one of Amazon's best-selling blankets, and I'm hoping to grab a few in fun colors so nobody has to share.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon13
Yoto Player (3rd Gen)
On our wishlist
Yoto Player (3rd Gen)
The big sibling to our Yoto Mini. It has a clock, a night light, and a time-to-get-up light, and I'd love to try it for the littles who share a room.
$100–250
Shop on Amazon14
Anker 3-port USB-C car charger
On our wishlist
Anker 3-port USB-C car charger
Three fast ports in one tiny plug. In a family our size the 'my tablet died' fight starts before we hit the freeway, so I'm excited to see if this finally ends it.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon15
Helteko backseat organizer + kick mats
On our wishlist
Helteko backseat organizer + kick mats
Seat-back pockets, a tablet window, and kick mats all in one. Our seat backs could use the help, muddy shoe prints and all, so this is high on my list to try.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon16
LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026
On our wishlist
LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026
A little LEGO build every morning until Christmas? My kids would be over the moon. Advent calendars sell out early, so I'm watching for a deal on this one.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon17
Magna-Tiles microMAGS Spooky Travel Set
On our wishlist
Magna-Tiles microMAGS Spooky Travel Set
Mini magnet tiles in a travel-size set with a Halloween twist. It looks like it was made for a van like ours, and I can't wait to see what the little boys build.
$25–50
Shop on Amazon18
Flip 7 card game
On our wishlist
Flip 7 card game
A stocking-stuffer card game with glowing reviews. It sounds simple enough for the younger kids and sneaky-strategic for the teens, and I'm excited to try it on a game night.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon
19
Hues and Cues
On our wishlist
Hues and Cues
A color-guessing game for 3 to 10 players, so the whole crew could play at once. That's a big-family game night dream, and it's next on my list.
Photo: Budew1234 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). Cut out and straightened; this edit is shared under the same license.
Under $25
Shop on Amazon20
LEGO Botanicals Woodland Mushrooms
On our wishlist
LEGO Botanicals Woodland Mushrooms
A LEGO set just for mom! Little woodland mushrooms that would look so cute on a fall shelf and never need watering. I'm crossing my fingers for a Prime deal.
$50–100
Shop on Amazonwhat the labels mean
We love it
It lives in our van or our house, and I’d buy it again tomorrow.
On our wishlist
A popular pick we haven’t tried ourselves yet. It’s always labeled, so you can tell the two apart.
Prices change all the time, so check the price on Amazon before you buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product photos come from Wikimedia Commons and are credited under each photo with their license. Read the full affiliate disclosure.