The family trip packing list
Packing for a trip with kids: what goes in each bag, and what saves the travel day.
With kids, the travel day decides how the trip starts. Pack so the things you need on the way are in one bag you can open in a car seat or an airplane row.
The travel day bag
- Snacks, more than seems reasonable, and a refillable water bottle each
- A change of clothes for each child, and a spare shirt for you
- Wipes, tissues, and a few zip bags for messes
- Headphones, a charged tablet, and one new small toy or book
- Any medications, and a basic kit with a thermometer, bandages, and children's pain reliever
Clothes
- One outfit per day for younger children, and every two days for older ones if you can do laundry
- Pajamas and one comfort item they sleep with
- A rain jacket and one warm layer each
- Shoes they can walk in all day
At the destination
- A small backpack for each child to carry their own water and layer
- A night light and an outlet plug or two for the room
- A printed card in each child's pocket with your phone number
Check before you go
Airlines and car rental companies set their own rules for car seats, strollers, and travel documents for children. Check with each one for your trip.
Put it into practice
Mark the trip as kid friendly in the planner, and it adds kid-friendly stops and the kids' items to the packing list. Choose the relaxed pace for more rest days.