Vacation packing list with kids
- Pack in three bags mentally: checked luggage for clothes, your child's carry-on for flight survival, and a small daypack for sightseeing.
- Sleep items (stuffy, pajamas, night light) and spare outfits belong in carry-ons — checked bags get lost at the worst time.
- Turn on Traveling with kids below — items are grouped as Kid's carry-on, Checked luggage, and Hotel room.
What you’ll likely need
A quick peek at must-bring and strongly suggested items for this trip. Your full checklist with checkboxes appears in a moment.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Kids sun hat with strap
- Pants / shorts
- Socks
- T-shirts / tops
- Underwear
- Credit / debit cards
- Driver's license / ID
- Flight / booking confirmations
- Health insurance card
- Passport
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Prescription medications
- Child's own carry-on backpack
- Children's pain/fever medicine (proper dose)
- Comfort item (stuffed animal or small blanket)
- Spare outfit for each child
- Tablet or phone with offline shows & games
- Wired headphones (plane & car)
- Ziplock bag of snacks your child picked
- Extra socks & underwear per child
- Deodorant
- Kids sunscreen SPF 50+
- Sunscreen SPF 30+
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (travel size)
- TSA liquids bag (100ml)
- Day backpack
- Packing cubes
- Sunglasses
- Light jacket / layer
- Packable rain jacket
- Sleepwear
- Emergency contact list
- Local currency / cash
- Travel insurance documents
- Headphones / earbuds
- Portable charger
- Backup snacks in parent bag
- Kids entertainment (books/games)
- Reusable water bottle
- Band-aids / plasters
- Pain reliever (ibuprofen)
- Activity book (stickers, puzzles, or coloring)
- Comfy clothes to change into before boarding
Tips for this trip
- Let school-age kids pack their own backpack — you do a final weather and weight check.
- Download shows before the airport; pack a non-screen activity book for when they need a break.
- Enable laundry in trip settings if you are away a week or more — you need fewer outfits, not a bigger suitcase.
More packing lists for kids & family trips guides on our packing lists for kids & family trips hub , or use the full packing tool
Common questions
What should I pack for a vacation with kids? +
Carry-on: spare outfit, snacks, tablet, headphones, comfort item, and meds. Checked: daily clothes, extra socks, second shoes, pajamas. Hotel: night light. Our list groups items by bag.
How many outfits do kids need for a week? +
About one outfit per day for school-age kids, or 1.5 per day for toddlers. Turn on laundry in the tool if your hotel has washers — you can pack half as much.
Flying internationally with kids? +
Open our flying with kids list — it presets a longer trip with carry-on focus, Europe adapter items, and long-haul entertainment.
Can I print this family vacation packing list? +
Yes — check off items, then Print / Save as PDF. Category labels show which bag each item goes in.