Family Vacation Packing List: Kid and Baby Travel Essentials

Updated Oct 2025

We haven’t always been experts when it comes to making a family vacation packing list for travel – in fact, Dan and I used to be pretty terrible packers!

A year after we got married, we built in a summer of travel before we had to return to school and jobs. And we took two large checked suitcases. Plus backpacks. For two people. When traveling across multiple continents and using multiple modes of transportation.

I’m horrified just writing it and knew we needed a packing list for vacation with kids.

It took some practice but we’ve really honed in on what to pack for a child when traveling. When packing for kids, it can be so tempting to every thing for every potential situation. I know I’ve been overwhelmed trying to figure out how to pack light with kids and have definitely been tempted to pack kitchen sink when packing for babies.

A family travel packing list for kids and babies has been really helpful in not forgetting essentials and also resisting the temptation to overpack. Plus a kids travel list is easy to put together!

Visual Packing List for Kids

It was really a game changer when I started making kids visual packing lists. It has allowed even my young kids to start participating in the packing process, and getting them accustomed to helping out with preparing for travel.

What is a visual packing list for kids?

A visual packing list is a packing list that uses pictures instead of or in addition to words . This means that even non-readers are able to start helping out! A visual packing list takes advantage of this interest when it’s at its peak.

And don’t miss our winter packing list for kids!

Packing List for Family Vacation: Baby Travel Essentials

After 11+ years of lots of travel with kids, we’ve managed to get our family packing system down pretty tight. Having a kids packing list for a trip has been so helpful in feeling confident we have all the baby travel essentials.

One summer, we spent 10 weeks in Europe with our family of 6 and took 1 large suitcase & 2 backpacks, plus a lightweight stroller and car seat. Another time, we spent almost 3 weeks in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. We fit our entire family and kids packing list in 2 carry-on suitcases and 2 backpacks plus stroller/car seat/baby cot – largely because we stuck to our family vacation packing checklist.

If you’re wondering what to pack for a family vacation and looking for a family packing list that has every single thing you could possibly need, this is not it. Because honestly, if you really end up needing that Ace bandage or whatever, you’ll probably be able to buy it wherever you are. This baby travel checklist gets us through 95% of situations on trips ranging from 3 days to 3 months.

Kids and Baby Travel Checklist: Minimal Packing List with Kids

A kids travel packing list keeps us organized and focused when packing for family travel. Here’s the minimalist kids packing list we always use to cover our needs but still stay super lightweight and agile. I love knowing that with our kids vacation packing list we have all the baby travel essentials while sticking with minimal packing for babies.

Regarding number of outfits, per our kid packing list, we typically pack 3-5 per person for our family and baby travel essentials. We personally feel comfortable wearing outfits a couple times if they’re not dirty, and sometimes handwash an outfit and air dry if we need something before we can do a full load. That way, we can minimize the number of outfits we pack. Between 3-5 is enough that you have options, especially when mixing and matching, but a small enough number that everything gets plenty of use.

We typically pack the smaller number if going to cold weather destinations (easier to rewear outfits, we often wear base layers under, and have coats on top so they don’t get as dirty), and have more options when traveling to warm destinations.

Family Vacation Packing List: What We’ve Packed

Here are some of our most popular posts detailing what we’ve packed for trips to different places in all seasons:

• Our Favorite Minimal Packing Essentials for Families
• What I Packed for a 1-Week Fall Trip to Europe
• Our Full Egypt Packing List for Families
• Alaska Summer Packing List
• 4 Spring Break Outfits for Moms
• Travel Backpack For Kids Packing List
• Winter Packing List for Kids
• What I Packed for 2 Months of Summer Travel

Family Vacation Packing List: Clothing

Here’s our full family travel packing list for kids and families!

Family Packing List: Clothing

• Packing cubes. Absolute must for organization and for fitting everything into a small amount of space. We love these for the kids, and Dan and I sometimes share THIS luggage organizer
• 3-5 outfits
  • Favorite mom jeans
  • Favorite women’s travel pants
  • Men’s hiking sandals
  • Comfortable & lightweight shorts for men
• 2 pairs of pajamas
  • These are our very favorite pajamas for kids
• 1-2 pairs of base layers
  • Though they’re pricier, I strongly prefer wool base layers. They’re super comfortable as pajamas, or for layering when it’s cold. And since wool can be reworn several times without washing (just air out in between), they’re perfect for a minimal packing list for kids. My favorites are this brand that has sizes from kids to adults.
• 1 swimsuit
  • I like these inexpensive swim trunks for my boys. I often do a one-piece rash guard suit for my girls.
  • Black high-waisted bikini bottom with Floral long-sleeved zip-front rash guard or High waisted rainbow stripe bikini for me.
• 2-3 sweaters in cold weather
  • Slouchy cardigan
  • Kids sweater outfit
• 5-7 pairs of undergarments (we try to take quick-dry ones if possible, and can hand wash if needed)
• 3-5 pairs of socks
  • These are our favorite, super durable wool socks, which can be air dried and reworn without washing as wool is naturally antimicrobial and smell-resistant
  • These less expensive wool blend socks are also warm and comfortable, though not as long-lasting as the ones above
• 1 jacket
  • Favorite lightweight and packable rain jackets for kids
  • Lightweight utility jacket (mine is old but you can see similar ones HERE and HERE)
  • For colder weather, the REI co-op styles for kids, women, and men are so soft, comfy, and warm – and the waterproofing is terrific. And I love this darling little parka with the same great features for toddlers!
  • If we’re going somewhere warm and wet, we love this long and waterproof rain jacket for women and this men’s rain jacket.
• Knit hats/gloves if it’s going to be cold (I also like these mitten clips)
• Rain pants if traveling in wet climates, as well as rain jackets: we love this one, this one, and these

Baby Packing List

Babies do have some unique needs so we follow a slightly different packing list for babies. Namely, we take an extra couple outfits because you never know what will happen!

• 5-6 bodysuits
• 5-6 outfits
• 3 pairs of pajamas (our favorite pajamas for babies)
• 1 pair of base layers
• 2-3 sweaters
• 1 swimsuit
• 5-6 pairs of socks (our favorite socks that don’t come off)
• Diapers (If we’re traveling somewhere and staying in one place, we’ll take enough for one day, then buy them there. If we’re going to be moving around a good bit, we take about a week or two worth, since we’d have to make room for them in the luggage at some point, anyway.)
• Swaddle or sleep sack
• 1 jacket (I like the one piece coveralls like this for babies)

Family Packing List: Shoes

We really try to limit shoes as much as possible since they’re bulky and heavy! We don’t usually worry about dress shoes when packing for kids and do our best to limit our family packing to 1-3 pairs of shoes per person, depending on where we’re going. Here’s more about our favorite travel shoes for men & women.

• One pair of walking shoes
  • These are, hands down, the very best walking shoes for women
• One pair of sandals if warm (these are my very favorites because they can dress up or down, are super comfortable, and very packable)
• If we’re traveling in snow, our favorite waterproof boots for men, women, and big kids, and little kids.
• Shoes: I pretty much always take these or these. All our favorites HERE.

Kids Travel Checklist: Toiletries

• Wipes (trust me, you’ll want some even with older kids)
• Toiletries case (THIS is my very favorite)
• Mini toothpaste and/or Electric toothbrush + toothbrushes and floss
• Soap
• Face cleanser (in a mini bottle)
• Shampoo/conditioner (also in a mini bottle)
• Razor
• Mini tubes of my very favorite sunscreen (that’s also reef safe) (use code LPF15)
• Skincare:
  • Favorite facial oil cleanser (code LOCALPASSPORTFAMILY)
  • Mini version of my favorite moisturizer 
  • Brow serum (code PREETHI15)
  • Beloved magic blue facial oil (on top of moisturizer at night – hydrates & keeps my skin completely clear) (code LOCALPASSPORTFAMILY)
  • I love these tiny compressed facial sponges to wash my face – take way less room than washcloths but are really effective
  • My favorite natural deodorant that smells amazing and actually works!!! (Code PREETHI15)
  • Cocoa butter stick body moisturizer
  • The absolute best lip balm, I will die on this hill
  • Moisturizer (mini version – I love this kind at home, too)
• Hand Sanitizer – I have this attached to the outside of my pack
• Makeup:
  • Eyebrow gel (I especially love this in hot weather because it doesn’t smear)
  • Fave CC Cream (I use color tan warm)
  • Foundation brush (there’s a reason this has nearly 46,000 5* reviews)
  • Cloud Paint blush in color Dawn
  • Phase Zero blush in color Making Moves (just a bit over the top to tone down the above one and add just a hint of shimmer
  • Fave mascara
  • Mascara primer
• Mini hair brush and hair cream
• Mini dry shampoo
• Lip balm
• Ziploc bags (a few each of quart size and gallon size)
• Small resealable plastic bag of powdered detergent (for hand washing) or a few laundry pods
• Hair ties for me & for little girls

Baby Travel Checklist: Medical Items

We don’t go crazy with the medical items when we travel with kids. We’ve found that we’re able to purchase most things in most places, and the likelihood of needing them is slim. Still, we do take along a few things that get more regular use and helpful in emergencies.

• Favorite bandages
• The best (hypoallergenic) anti-bacterial
• Low-dose melatonin
• Pain reliever
• Anti-nausea meds
• Children’s antihistamine
• Tweezers
• Small thermometer
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant + Bug Bite Thing
• Prescription medicines
• Any required vitamins (like prenatals)
• Sunscreen for kids/bodies

Family Travel Packing List: Electronics

• 3-in-1 travel charging station for phone, AirPods, watch (love this thing)
• Universal travel adapter
• These are my favorite mini portable chargers. I also have a couple of these that work well.
• Mini white noise machine: we truly don’t go a night’s sleep without these at home or when traveling. We own four.
• Car cell phone mount: it’s difficult enough to navigate in new places without trying to see your phone. This mount easily attaches to the air vent so you can navigate without using your hands.
• Earbuds: I got these after losing my AirPods and they’ve been excellent (and way more affordable).
• Soft toddler headphones: Absolutely LOVE these headphones for little ones.
• Photography gear
• 3-in-1 charging dock (I love this thing!)
• Laptop + charger
• Cell phones + charger
• Earphones
• Watch
• Several universal power adapters
• Mini white noise machine (we always take two)
• Bluetooth audio transmitter for the airplane
• Charging cords
• Watch

Baby Travel Checklist: Baby & Kid Items

• The BEST baby carrier that is super lightweight and folds up tiny – we’ve loved this for well over a decade!
• Adore this tiny little baby pop up tent. Have used one for over a dozen years!
• Favorite car seats for travel
• Breast pump
• One stuffed animal for each child
• Baby carrier (I absolutely love this baby carrier because it’s supportive but still lightweight and weighs about a pound.)
• Car seats and/or booster seats (all about our favorite car seats for travel)
• Stroller (our beloved lightweight one apparently no longer exists, but this looks similar)
• Baby cot if needed (THIS is our favorite super lightweight one)
• Nursing cover if needed (THIS is my favorite kind that can also cover a car seat, burp cloth, blanket, etc.)
• Bib (THIS is the only bib that does a thing – we just take one and wipe it down)
• Breast pump if you need it
• Pacifer
• Bottles + formula if needed
• SNACKS. So many snacks. More snacks than you think you could ever consume in a lifetime.
• Sunglasses
• Reusable water bottles (THIS is my favorite, and we like THIS and THIS for the kids – leave them empty and fill them up in the airport)
• Carry on backpacks
  • Each of our older kids carries a foldable backpack that can fold up with their travel necessities – snack, Kindle, stuffed animal, jacket, etc.). It’s also great to have one or two extra of these in case you need to rearrange luggage or carry food or something.
  • Dan loves THIS for all it holds
  • I usually carry something like this as a diaper bag
• Inflatable foot rest (these are so great for kids to sleep on planes…definitely a kids packing list essential)
• Suitcases (more about our favorite luggage for families)
• 1-2 small quick-dry travel towels if visiting the beach or a hot spring
• Carabiners: we ALWAYS have a few of these attached to our bags

Kids Travel Essentials: Entertainment

• Kids Kindle: My 10 year old and I thought he’d forgotten his for a few minutes on a recent trip and we both very nearly panicked, haha
• One small bag of Click-a-Bricks or LEGOS
• One small bag of paper and crayons
• Small bag of toy cars
• 2-3 small board books and/or early readers

Other

• Sunglasses
• Camera
• AirPods
• My favorite packing cubes
• And everything fit in the backpack I love! It’s no longer sold, but THIS and THIS are similar
• Favorite duffel that packs down small – this weighs almost nothing, takes almost no room, and allowed us to fly back with Greek olive oil and honey. We had to buy a ticket that included a checked bag on the way back because that was all that was available by the time we booked, so we figured we might as well take advantage of it!
• I adore this quick dry towel – the ribbed texture is so absorbent and comfy.
• Laundry detergent sheets are easy to travel with since they won’t spill and hardly take any room.

Family Vacation Packing List: Travel Documents

• Passports
• Driver’s license
• 2 credit cards
• 1 debit card
• Some cash
• Copies of passports stored digitally and in a separate bag
• Copies of birth certificates stored digitally or in a separate bag (airports occasionally ask for proof of baby’s birthdate even when flying domestically so this is good to have on your baby travel checklist)
• Confirmation numbers for airlines, hotels, rental cars, etc.

FREE KIDS PACKING LIST PRINTABLE

I love having a printable kids travel checklist to print for each of my kids. I just fill in the number of items that they need to pack, and cross of anything they don’t need (like gloves if we’re going to a tropical destination, for instance).

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IF YOU LIKED THIS PACKING LIST FOR KIDS TRAVEL ESSENTIALS, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE POSTS, TOO:

• Ten Tips for Getting Over Jet Lag with Kids
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• Ten Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb

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