Our selection of the best travel gadgets

DSeveral decades of traveling with every imaginable companion, from kids on vacation trips to modern-day kids on Saga cruises, have given your columnist some ideas about the best technology to pack.

Give it some juice with the power adapter

Nothing will pat you on the back more than a pocket battery. Whether you want to top up your phone when you land after a long flight or give your grandson’s gaming console a much-needed juice, this is a must-have.

There are dozens to choose from, but I particularly like the 12,000 mAh Powerbank from a Dutch company Fresh ‘n Rebel. It’s a powerful device and costs around £37.99 including delivery.

Music wherever you go

A really small Bluetooth speaker is another thing worth packing. There are tons of them, but Marshall (yes, the stage amp people) has a wide range of products and they all sound great. My choice for the trip would be this Willena (RRP £99.99), 4″ square sound and clarity that weighs just 310g.

Try the tag for peace of mind

Getting on a plane to X and worrying that your suitcase is on its way to Y can get your vacation off to a bad start. How about putting a small Bluetooth tracker in the case? It is legal and many people do it for peace of mind.

Once you’re seated, there’s enough range to indicate that your bag is in the hold. On the other hand, by waiting at the conveyor, you will be able to detect when your case is close to completion, even if you can’t see it yet.

Plate has a long reach, or if you have an iPhone, try Apple AirTag (RRP £35). You can buy a pack of four for £119 and keep one in your wallet and one in your passport.

Sound adventures that will engage young minds

When my children were very young, we went camping in the USA. In a toy store in a small town, they noticed cassettes from the Little Thinker series. They were sonic adventures – one a space journey, the other an undersea adventure. With their eyes closed, as instructed by narrator Nancy, the children listened to a Fisher-Price cassette player.

They were so enchanted that they stopped arguing for hours. They always said the tapes were their “best thing as a kid.”

Amazingly, the same Little Thinker recordings are now available for download, and my four-year-old grandson Oskar is as enchanted by them as his dad and aunt were 40 years ago. They cost $13.99 each – about £11. Alternatively, you can order USB sticks or CDs from the US. If you download them you can listen to them on your children’s MP3 player – you’ll find plenty of them on Amazon for under £30.