The only thing we like more than getting a head start on our holiday shopping is knocking it off the to-do list entirely. And when Kohl’s says Black Friday Sale, we say go. While the store is known for clothing, home goods and small appliances, Kohl’s has a great inventory of items traveling families can make good use of, too. We’ve had a look at the deals coming down the pipeline, and pulled out some of our favorites for families on the go.
Remember, stores open at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. But online shoppers can get a head start on the in-store crowds by shopping the doorbusters online from 12:01 a.m. on Thanksgiving day. And don’t forget the power of that Kohl’s Cash, too (shoppers earn $10 Kohl’s Cash in-store and online for every $50 spent). When you spend it, Kohl’s promises to beat Amazon’s best deals on its own products.
Think about it—by the time your Thanksgiving turkey comes out of the oven, you could have your holiday shopping in the bag!
1. Amazon Echo (2nd Gen) Smart Speaker with Alexa
Sale: $69.99 | Regular $99.99
This smart speaker powered by Alexa has a trick up its sleeve for every member of your family. Use it to stream music from Apple Music, Sirius XM, Spotify and others; check the weather in your next travel destination; voice control your smart home; and play games. Dolby processing makes for excellent sound quality. And the device is also fun to use as an intercom of sorts between different rooms in your house.
2. Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones
Sale: $139.99 | Regular: $199.99
With up to 12 hours of battery life, the Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones are the perfect traveling companion for kids old enough not to pull them out. Paired with a tablet stocked with educational and entertaining games and shows, they’re just what you need to make the hours of a long flight fly by. Use the USB cable to charge the earphones inflight so you’ll be good once you deplane, too.
3. DJI Spark Mini Drone
Sale: $299.99 | Regular: $349.99
Ring in the new year with the promise of cool aerial photos of your family vacations when you gift the gang the DJI Spark Mini Drone. Super easy to learn to fly, the drone has a built-in camera for taking videos and still shots—and the kids will surely have as much fun piloting it as they will showing off their vacation photos on social media.
4. Beats Pill+ Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Sale: $149.99 | Regular: $229.99
From the beach to the park to a Baby Shark-themed party at the playground, a wireless speaker is always a good thing to have along. You’ll be surprised how well this super-portable, capsule-shaped speaker fills the room with clear, crisp sound. Pair the speaker to any Bluetooth-enabled device and let the good tunes roll.
5. Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch
Sale: $149.99 | Regular: $199.99
If you’re Fitbit curious but have been holding off on pressing “Purchase,” here’s an appealing deal that might encourage you to give the health-centric gadget a go. Track your steps, calories burned, heart rate active minutes and more right on your wrist with the Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch. Among the many other features of the watch are built-in Amazon Alexa for using your voice to get news, control home devices, and do much, much more.
6. Google Home Max Smart Speaker
Sale: $249 | Regular: $299
For such a small and tidy package, the Google Home Max Smart Speaker sure knows how to fill a room with high-quality sound. High fidelity comes through loud and clear thanks to the system’s dual 4.5-inch woofers and custom tweeters. Use it to listen to podcasts with your kids or set some background noise for an outdoor pool party.
7. Google Home Mini Smart Speaker
Sale: $25 | Regular: $49
Kids have a lot of fun asking Google Assistant all their most pressing questions with this voice-activated speaker with 360-degree sound. And for parents, the Google Home Mini Smart Speaker is handy for all your practical, adulting needs (controlling lights and thermostats by voice, alerting you with reminders, updating you on traffic conditions and the like). Weighing in at less than half a pound, this little speaker travels well, too.
Longtime travel writer and adventurer Terry Ward lives in Florida with her husband and young son and daughter. She’s constantly on the lookout for the next Scandinavia Airlines Kids Fly Free deal to save money on flights to Norway, her favorite place to visit both in the winter (Northern Lights!) and summer (Midnight Sun!). A travel writer since 2001 (read: long before the kids came along), she’s written for such publications as Endless Vacation Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler and Scuba Diving Magazine, among many others. Find Terry on her website, Terry-Ward.com.
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