Travel
The Ultimate Family Vacation Packing List For Traveling With Kids
Traveling with three kids means there is a lot to think about before we ever leave the house. My kids are now 7, 5, and almost 3, and over the years, I’ve figured out a little trick to make sure you have everything you need. About two weeks before any trip, I go through everyone’s clothes to make sure my kids have everything we need in the right sizes. I started doing this after realizing I didn’t have a sun hat for my son just days before our trip. By the time we’re a few days out, I’m packing, and not scrambling. I’ve put together a list of the essential items we’re bringing on our family vacation to Mexico.
The Ultimate Family Packing List
I’m type A, anxious, have ADHD, and am a Virgo. This means I have strong feelings about packing cubes, an unreasonable excitement over really great pouch, and feeling prepared is basically my love language. The ADHD can throw a few loops into packing which is why I like to go over clothes a few weeks out. Traveling with little kids is chaotic enough on its own. So having the right gear, the right system, and knowing exactly where everything is makes all the difference for me. Below is everything I bring when we travel with our three kids, organized by category. You can take what works for your family and leave the rest. Here’s my family travel packing list. You can see the rest of what we packed here.
Travel Tips
- Go through outfits and other travel essentials a few weeks before your trip so you have time to order anything you might need.
- Make sure all shows and games are downloaded and updated before you get to the airport. I check everything a few days out so I’m not rushing last-minute. I learned this lesson the hard way many years ago.
- Enroll in CLEAR+ to save time at the airport. CLEAR lines can often be shorter than TSA Pre Check and kids 17 and under can go through CLEAR with you for free.
- Bring extra outfits, one pair of pajamas, and any overnight essentials in your carry-on in case your checked luggage gets lost.
- Pack a small laundry bag or pillowcase for dirty clothes so they don’t mix with clean ones. Away luggage comes with its own bag.
- Download your boarding passes before you get to the airport.
- Bring a small surprise or a new toy the kids have never seen and save it for the moment things start to unravel.
Luggage & Bags
Luggage & Bags
Checked Luggage: We have the full Away set for our family of five, which for us, looks like two large, one medium, and a few carry-on suitcases. We will likely bring one large and one medium on our trip to Mexico.
Carry-On Suitcases: My husband and I each have Away carry-ons, and the brand just gifted both of my girls (ages 5 and 7) carry-ons, as well. We love the brand and purchased everything else though. The girls are excited, and I’m hoping it that will make packing a little easier.
Packing Cubes: I use packing cubes to keep things organized. We have two sets of the Away cubes, and the kids each have their own set of these. I highly recommend making sure everyone has their own color packing cube, especially if you put clothes together in a large suitcase. It makes finding everyone’s clothes so much easier.
Airtags: I always airtag any checked luggage or gate-checked gear just in case.
Carry-On Travel Essentials
Carry-On Travel Essentials
Tote Bag: This tote is one of my favorite carry-on bags. Large bags like this are perfect for flying with kids. I fill it with chargers, snacks, wipes, travel toys, iPads, and everything you need within arm’s reach on the plane.
Crossbody Phone Case: This is key for easily getting through the airport with kids. There’s zero need to look through my bags for boarding passes or IDs. I wear it as a crossbody and keep my passport card in the pocket, with boarding passes downloaded to my phone.
Kids Backpack: Once kids hit around five, you’ll want to add kids backpacks to your packing list. Pack it with their favorite toys, a snack, and headphones so they feel like a real traveler.
Thin Travel Charger: A slim and virtually weightless charger that doesn’t take up space but keeps devices alive on long travel days.
Tech Organizer: Keeps all your cords, chargers, and adapters in one place so you’re not digging through your bag at the airport.
Passport Holder: This is a must-have for international travel. It keeps the whole family’s passports, boarding passes, travel documents, and other important documents together in one spot. Because losing a passport with kids in tow is not an option.
Wipeable Pouches: Each of my kids have one of these wipeable pouches for small toys and crafts.
Refillable Water Bottle: Pack empty bottles and fill them at the airport after security. Before you take a sip on the plane, open the cap slightly to release the air pressure first or you’ll get an unexpected spray when you open it.
Hard Zipper Cases: These clear zipper cases make it so easy to find toys, snacks, and other smaller items that you might need on-the-go.
Disinfecting Wipes: I use these to wipe down the armrests, tables, and basically any hard surface we might touch on a flight.
Hand Sanitizing Spray: This is my favorite hand sanitizer, that I always have with me when I’m out with my kids.
Stain Remover Pen: Because kids.
Entertainment & Activities
iPad: I tried an Amazon Fire and hated pretty much everything about it, so I own three iPads that we use for travel. I fill them with really sweet, wholesome games, and their favorite shows and movies. There is just one screen time rule: headphones are a must.
Gel Pens: These mini gel pens are one of my girls’ favorite things to use on the go, and are a must to add to your packing list. I keep them in a pouch with a small notebook, and they can write and draw wherever we are.
Click Markers: Because my kids love to draw, and marker caps on airplanes is the worst idea ever.
Puffy Sticker Activity Sets: These have been such a hit with my kids from ages 2-4.
Spot It: My favorite game for kids age 5 and up.
Figurines: Once your kids are old enough to play pretend, figurines are such a great toy to keep kids quiet and busy while traveling.
Kids and Baby Gear
Kids and Baby Gear
Doona Car Seat Stroller: If you have a baby, the Doona is a great car seat and stroller in one. It converts from car seat to stroller in seconds, making airport navigation with a baby so much easier.
Convertible Car Seat: At just under 8 pounds, this is one of the lightest convertible car seats out there. It’s airplane certified, easy to carry using the tether as a shoulder strap, and is a great, lightweight, rear-facing car seat option.
Foldable Travel Car Seat: The Pico is the lightest convertible forward-facing car seat on the market. It folds in half and is a total game changer for families who fly frequently with young children.
Inflatable Booster: A lightweight, packable booster seat that works at any restaurant or hotel — no more praying the destination has a high chair.
Airplane Harness: An FAA approved alternative to keep your younger child safe in flight if you’re gate checking your car seat.
Travel Stroller: Small enough to store overhead on your flight but sturdy enough for full days of sightseeing.
Travel Crib: Sets up in seconds and folds down into its own little carrying case, it’s the lightest, most packable travel crib out there and my kids have always slept great in it.
Slumberpod: This blackout tent fits perfectly over a travel crib, creating cozy sleep space anywhere.
Travel White Noise Machine: We have a few of these powerful and affordable little machines, and bring them with us whenever we travel.
Baby Monitor: This is the monitor we use at home, and it travels surprisingly well and bonus: fits perfectly in a little window in the slumberpod.
Toiletries & Health
Toiletries & Health
Digital Thermometer: A non-negotiable in my travel bag because kids always seem to get sick the moment you leave home. This one is fast, accurate, and easy to use.
Children’s Tylenol: I bring both Tylenol and Motrin so I can alternate if needed for fevers.
Children’s Motrin: My go-to for fevers since it works faster and lasts longer than Tylenol.
Tubby Todd Sunscreen: My favorite everyday sunscreen for little ones. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and doesn’t leave that thick white cast that most mineral sunscreens do.
Tubby Todd Face Sunscreen: A sheer, lightweight option that goes on completely sheer.
Supergoop Sheer Sunscreen Stick: The easiest sunscreen to reapply on squirmy kids and adults. I keep one in my bag at all times.
Supergoop Unseen Body Sunscreen: My personal favorite body sunscreen that goes on completely clear, no white cast, and doesn’t feel like sunscreen at all.
Silicone Travel Bottle: I fill these bottles with our shampoos, conditioners, and body washes, instead of buying travel-size toiletries. They are leak-proof, TSA-friendly, and so much better than bringing full-size bottles.
Detangling Brush: If you have a kid with long hair, you already know. This brush gets through knots without tears and is a must after beach and pool days.
Welly First Aid Kit: A compact, well-stocked first aid kit that covers everything from blisters to minor cuts. The cute tin actually makes it easy to find in your bag.
Toiletry Bag: Roomy enough to fit everything but packable enough to not take over your suitcase — and pretty enough that you’ll actually want to leave it out on the bathroom counter.
Clothing & Packing Tips
When it comes to clothing items, it’s ideal to pack comfortable and versatile pieces that you’ll feel good in. Bring an extra swimsuit or two so you’ll always have a dry one. I always bring at least one outfit, swimsuit, pair of pajamas, and our most important essentials on the flight in case our checked luggage gets lost.
Beach Vacation Essentials
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