Jenna Schoenfield

f a toy can survive four kids, it deserves a permanent spot in the Hall of Fame. 🏆 We’ve all been there: buying the "hottest" toy of the season only to have it broken by Tuesday or ignored by Thursday. After a decade of raising four very different children, I’ve stopped buying for the moment and started investing in longevity. This list is a collection of the "Heirloom Tier" toys—the ones that have been chewed on by the baby, built into skyscrapers by the toddler, and used as complex movie sets by the eight-year-old. These are the rare finds that grow with your family instead of ending up in a donation bin six months later.

Let’s be real: Packing for one person is a chore. Packing for a family of six is a logistical marathon. After a decade of family road trips, cross-country flights, and more "I forgot my toothbrush" moments than I’d like to admit, I’ve finally mastered the art of the stress-free suitcase. This Benable list is my personal "Master File." It features the exact gear I use to keep my four kids organized, entertained, and (mostly) tidy on the go. No fluff, no "nice-to-haves" that take up precious trunk space—just the hard-working essentials that have survived the ultimate field test.

As a mom of four, I’ve learned that winter is either a magical wonderland or a chaotic cycle of "Where is your other glove?" and "I'm freezing!" Depending on the day, it usually feels like a bit of both. After years of trial and error (and way too many soggy socks), I’ve narrowed down the absolute essentials that keep my crew warm, dry, and—most importantly—sane during the coldest months. Whether we’re hitting the sledding hill or just trying to get through the school drop-off line without a meltdown, these are the tried-and-true pieces that actually survive a house full of kids.

I’ve officially graduated from the 'buy everything on the registry' phase to the 'only give me what actually works' phase. With four tiny humans under my belt, I’ve done the trial and error so you don’t have to. Whether you're a first-time parent or adding to your crew, here is the gear that survived the chaos of a big family.