The Unexpected Reason Samantha Brown Always Travels With A Bag Of Balloons

When it comes to surprising yet effective travel hacks, Samantha Brown is our go-to expert. Known for her work on the Travel Channel and hits like PBS' Emmy-winning series "Samantha Brown's Places to Love," the Brooklyn-based travel guru has traveled to over 70 countries and uses her experiences to help everyday adventurers explore the world. However, it's her credentials as a mom traveling with two toddlers that make our ears perk up. That's why when Brown says every family should travel with a bag of balloons, we listen and take notes. 

And we don't mean just any bag of balloons. Samantha Brown specifically recommends large balloons, explaining on her website, "It's an instant toy to be inflated at the first signs of your kids getting antsy but with little chance of destruction the way a ball would bring on." Although smaller balloons are often easier to find, they present a choking hazard for little ones. 

Brown notes that each balloon requires your child to focus on the inflation process, which takes time — especially if the balloon is quite large — and is a welcome distraction during boring travel periods. That said, if you think your child might bite or squeeze the balloon, causing a very dramatic popping sound, this travel hack might not be for you.

While Samantha Brown loves traveling with balloons as distractions for the kids, that isn't the only way balloons can be used on your next vacation. We've all experienced the horror of opening a toiletries bag after a flight and discovering that one tiny bottle of shampoo managed to cover half of your stuff in a soapy mess. Well, Jeff and Lauren Show, a couple specializing in life hack content, recently posted a video on TikTok with a genius trick to keep liquids from spilling in your suitcase.

Simply cut off the open end of the balloon and stretch the larger, curved part over the top of each bottle. This creates a cap of sorts that holds in liquids even if the bottle opens during your flight. Pro tip: Make sure the balloon fits tightly around the bottle top, or else liquid may escape. As opposed to Brown's recommendation for a larger balloon, smaller balloons will work best in this scenario. For added security, consider using a rubber band or taping the open end of the balloon to the bottle, so the rubbery material doesn't slip off. Lauren Show explained that she learned this trick from a flight attendant, so we know it's a winner. 

Despite the different ways you can use balloons, remember that they aren't the only useful accessory to keep your kids entertained on a trip. Samantha Brown has another family travel tip that will save your sanity at the airport. She recommends packing a bottle of bubbles in your carry-on luggage, explaining on her website, "Blowing bubbles allows children to jump up and down while essentially staying in one place ... I can wear my kids out before we board a flight without a lot of running around."

However, make sure your children don't blow bubbles close to other people, as the soapy water can be irritating on sensitive skin, and kids running around when people are trying to rest and relax can be frustrating. Brown also reminds travelers to pack a bottle of bubbles that's 100 milliliters or less in order to follow TSA regulations. For more advice about traveling with children, don't forget to check out Samantha Brown's solution for packing efficiently for the whole family and Samantha Brown's top tips for flying with kids.