A travel lap seat is disclosed, having a harness and a lap portion. The harness has a first portion that secures the lap seat to an adult, and a second portion that secures a child to the lap seat so that the child sits upon the lap portion when the adult is seated. The harness can also be used as a child carrier. The lap portion may be detachable or stowable, and may be attached to a back portion. The back portion and lap portion may form a single, monolithic unit.