The Ultimate Packing List for Any Family Vacation

Whether you've got a baby, little kid, or sullen tween in tow.

By Kate Loweth July 28, 2022 Partner Content

toddler walking through aisle of an airplane

istock

If you are like so many other families, you are getting ready to hit the road or head to the skies in the next few months for a family vacation. Packing is one of the chores that pretty much nobody likes but we’re here to make this one thing easier for you. Traveling with a baby? You’ll definitely want a change of clothes for them and a change of clothes for you. Got a toddler along for the ride? It’s all about the snacks. Parents of teens and tweens: their packing list pretty much includes just a device and headphones.

Our team of editors has loads of experience traveling with kids of all ages and this is what we recommend you bring along to make your family trip more of a vacation for everyone involved. Just take a screengrab of the lists that fit your kids’ ages and get packing!

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Packing List for Travel with a Baby

It’s our experience that kids this age don’t need a bunch of toys to keep them occupied on an airplane. Really it’s all about making them as comfortable as possible so that they (fingers crossed!) sleep for as much of the flight as possible. If you need things to keep them busy, plastic cups from the flight attendant will do in a pinch.

family with a baby in a carrier at the airport — istock

In your carry-on:

an extra outfit for baby and parents (in a Ziploc bag to store the dirties)
diapers (more than you think you need), diaper cream, wipes, changing pad
more Ziplocs for dirty diaper storage
sanitizing wipes
feeding supplies like bibs, bottles, formula (more than you think you need), nursing cover/pillow
snacks (with a snack catcher) and squeeze pouches of baby food
pacifier with clip (bring extra pacifiers!)
hand sanitizer
soft books/new toys (bring an extra pacifier clip to attach these to baby or the tray)
lovey
water bottles to fill once you’ve passed security

In your suitcase:

pjs/sleep sack, daytime outfits, socks, shoes/sandals
swimsuit, swim diapers, sunscreen, sun hat
sound machine (or use an app)
infant acetaminophen/ibuprofen and thermometer
diapers/wipes
snacks/food
paper blackout curtains (because sleep is KEY)
baby monitor

Other gear to bring (if you have the room):

baby car seat
stroller (with stroller bag if flying)
baby carrier
pop-up sunshade if going to the beach
pack n’ play with sheet if your destination doesn’t have a crib

Packing List for Travel with a Toddler

Flying with kids this age takes both mental fortitude and physical strength (as you might feel like you are wrestling a carp trying to get them to stay in their seat).

We feel like the key to traveling with kids this age is snacks. Lots of snacks. Snag one of those weekly pill containers (aka a “snackle box”) and fill each slot up with something your toddler will love. These are kid-proof and you only open one section at a time so you can minimize spills.

In your carry-on:

an extra outfit for toddler and parents (in a Ziploc bag to store the dirties)
diapers (more than you think you need), diaper cream, wipes, changing pad
more Ziplocs for dirty diaper storage
sanitizing wipes
snacks in a kid-proof container
lovey
new toys/books
a device with kid shows on it plus kid-sized headphones
lollipop for takeoff and landing to relieve ear pain
water bottles to fill once you’ve passed security
easy “craft” projects like water wow and window clings

In your suitcase:

pjs, daytime outfits, socks, shoes/sandals
swimsuit, swim diapers, sunscreen, sun hat
sound machine (or use an app)
children’s acetaminophen/ibuprofen/benadryl and thermometer
diapers/wipes
snacks/food
paper blackout curtains (because sleep is KEY)
baby monitor

Other gear to bring (if you have the room):

car seat
stroller (with stroller bag if flying)
new toys/beach toys
pop-up sunshade if going to the beach
tiny potty or toddler toilet seat
pack n’ play with sheet if your destination doesn’t have a crib

Packing List for Travel with a Preschooler

Congratulations! You’ve finally reached the stage where your little traveler can be entertained with new toys, electronics, and craft projects. It’s a whole new world.

young child looking out window of airplane on family vacation — istock

In your carry-on:

snacks in a “snackle box“
water bottle to fill past security
Kindle Fire tablet or other kid-friendly device to download and watch movies
kid-sized headphones
extra battery and cord for charging devices
new toys like these small toys that are perfect for the plane
craft projects like water wow and sticker-by-number books

In your suitcase:

pjs, daytime outfits, socks, shoes/sandals, hoodie/sweatshirt
children’s acetaminophen/ibuprofen/Benadryl and thermometer
paper blackout curtains (because sleep is KEY)
sound machine (or use an app)

Packing List for Travel with a Grade School Kid

For this age, it’s all about getting kids to carry their own stuff. Talk about a dream! Get them a backpack that’s comfortable for them. We love bringing an e-reader along so kids can cruise through books at their own pace.

older child at airport on family vacation — istock

In your carry-on:

snacks in a “snackle box“
water bottle to fill past security
Kindle Paperwhite Kids or other device for reading books and watching movies
kid-sized headphones

In your suitcase:

pjs, daytime outfits, socks, shoes/sandals, hoodie/sweatshirt
children’s acetaminophen/ibuprofen/Benadryl and thermometer
paper blackout curtains (because sleep is KEY)
sound machine (or use an app)

Packing List for Travel with a Tween/Teen

Your older kids are pretty much experienced travelers by now. They have their own suitcase that they take care of themselves (yes, all the parents of littles are jealous). The packing list of this age is pretty easy: a device and snacks. We like to let our tweens and teens pack their own suitcases with a provided list and pick out their own snacks to bring along. That way you aren’t stuck on vacation with outfits they won’t wear.