Black Friday Deals for Family Travel (2026)

I spend Black Friday weekend doing one thing: stocking up on everything we need for next summer's European camp trip. Here's my curated list of the best deals for traveling families — I'll update this post as sales go live.

If you've been following along, you know we plan our summers months in advance. Black Friday is when I buy all the gear, clothing, and tech we'll need. Buying it now at a discount means one less thing to worry about when camp season rolls around.

Luggage & Bags

• Nordace — Typically 20-30% off sitewide. The Siena backpack is my #1 recommendation for travel parents. If you've been eyeing it, this is the time.
• Away luggage — Usually runs a rare sale around Black Friday. They almost never discount, so if you see a deal, jump on it.
• Amazon luggage deals — Compression packing cubes, carry-ons, and duffels. I stock up on packing cubes every year because they inevitably get lost or worn out.

Clothing

• Cuts Clothing — Use code MADDY61120 for 20% off year-round, but they often stack additional Black Friday discounts. My husband's entire travel wardrobe is Cuts at this point.
• Patagonia — Their Worn Wear sale has great deals on kids' outerwear. Kids grow so fast that gently used Patagonia is the smartest move.
• Primary.com — Simple, affordable kids' basics. Usually 25-30% off. We buy plain tees and shorts here in bulk for camp.

Photography & Memories

• Flytographer — Watch for gift card deals and session discounts. Book for next summer NOW. Sessions in popular cities fill up fast, and buying a gift card at a Black Friday discount is the move.
• Chatbooks — Photo books from your phone. Great for travel memory books. I make one after every summer trip and the kids love flipping through them.

Wellness & Skincare

• Osea Malibu — Their biggest sale of the year, usually 20-25% off. This is when I stock up on the body oil, the serum, and the travel sets. If you've been wanting to try them, Black Friday is the time.
• Bubs Naturals — Use code CBM20 for 20% off year-round, plus additional BF stacking. I buy enough electrolyte packets to last the entire summer in one order.

Tech & Travel Gear

• AirTags — Apple rarely discounts, but Amazon and Target often do for BF. We put these on everything — kids, bags, suitcases. At a discount, there's no reason not to buy a 4-pack.
• Anker portable chargers — Consistently on sale during BF. Stock up. The 20,000mAh model is our family standard. Buy two.
• Kindle Paperwhite Kids — Usually $30-40 off. Best time to buy. If your kids don't have one yet, this is the single best travel purchase you can make for a reader.

Biking

• Hiplok — Use code 3MADDY15 for 15% off, watch for additional BF deals. If you need a serious bike lock, the D1000 is the gold standard (though the code doesn't apply to that line).
• Lazer Helmets — Use code Maddy15 for 15% off, BF may stack. Great helmets for adults and younger kids.
• Bern Helmets — Use code cargobikemomma20 for 20% off. These are what our kids wear daily.

Camp Prep

• REI — Their member sale often overlaps with Black Friday. Camp-ready gear like water bottles, daypacks, rain jackets, and hiking shoes. If your kid is going to an outdoor camp, this is where you shop.
• Amazon — Water bottles, sunscreen packs, travel first aid kits. The boring stuff that you definitely need and will forget to buy in June.

My Strategy

I keep a running wishlist throughout the year and buy everything during this one weekend. For a family of 5, the savings add up — we typically save $300-500 on stuff we'd buy anyway. I literally keep a note on my phone called "BF List" and add to it all year long.

The key is knowing what you need before the sales hit. If you're already planning next summer's camp trip, you know what gaps you have in gear. Buy it now, thank yourself later.

What My Newsletter Subscribers Get

My newsletter subscribers get real-time deal alerts during Black Friday weekend. When a sale goes live or a price drops on something I recommend, I send it out immediately. I also share exclusive stacking codes and early access deals that brands offer specifically to my audience. If you want to be the first to know when the best travel deals drop, the newsletter is where that happens.