🎒 Travelling with Kids Packing List: What You Actually Need (and What to Skip)
Packing for a trip with kids can feel… a bit overwhelming.
There’s the temptation to pack everything—just in case. Extra clothes, extra snacks, extra toys… and before you know it, you’ve got three bags including the kitchen sink, for one child.
The truth? You don’t need as much as you think. I have been travelling with my kids alone from when they were babies and when you are having to navigate a busy airport with a baby and toddler in tow, you quickly learn that less is more. Over time I have come up with a practical travelling with kids packing list that works for most trips.
This guide will help you focus on what you’ll actually use—so you can pack smarter, travel lighter, and start your trip feeling organised instead of stressed.
✨ The Golden Rule: Pack for Reality, Not “Just in Case”
It’s easy to fall into the “what if” trap when packing for kids.
What if they spill something?
What if they get bored?
What if they need that one toy?
Instead of packing for every possible scenario, focus on:
- What your child uses daily
- What you can easily buy at your destination
- What will make the journey smoother
Less really is more when you’re travelling with kids.
🎒 Your Carry-On: The Real Survival Kit
If there’s one bag to get right—it’s this one. Your carry-on is what gets you through delays, long journeys and any unexpected situations.
Must-haves:
- Snacks (more than you think you’ll need!)
- Drinks / spill-proof cups
- Wipes and tissues
- Depending on age: Spare outfit (for each child—and possibly you!)
- Basic medicines (pain relief, plasters, etc.)
- Comfort item (favourite toy or blanket)
- Entertainment (books, small toys, printables)
👉 This is where your travel activities and scavenger hunts really come into their own—easy, lightweight, and no prep needed.
If you are looking for easy ready made and printable travel games – check out my travel activity pack
👕 Clothing: Keep It Simple
Clothes are one of the easiest areas to overpack.
A simple rule:
👉 Outfits = days (plus 1–2 extras)
Do you really need multiple outfit changes per day? “Just in case” fancy options? And what about shoes? Realistically you shouldn’t need more than 2 pairs: comfy ones for every day and sandals/flip flops if going on a beach holiday.
Focus on:
- Comfortable, mix-and-match outfits
- Layers (especially for travel days)
- Weather-appropriate basics
💡 Tip: Choose items that can be worn more than once. I always take some wash sheets with me too, so we can wash in the sink in emergencies.
🧸 Toys & Entertainment: Less Is More
You don’t need a whole toy box. In fact, too many options can be overwhelming.
Pack:
- A small selection of favourite items
- A few “novel” activities (things they haven’t used in a while)
- Lightweight, mess-free options
Great options include:
- Colouring supplies
- Sticker books
- Small games
- Printable activities
👉 If you need ideas, check out my post on keeping kids entertained on long journeys.
🍎 Snacks: Always Pack More Than You Think
Snacks can:
- Prevent meltdowns
- Fill gaps between meals
- Keep kids happy during delays
Good travel snacks:
Good travel snacks are easy to eat, don’t make a mess and last a long time
Examples:
- Crackers
- Fruit (like apples or bananas)
- Snack bars
- Dry cereal
💡 Tip: Keep snacks easily accessible—not buried at the bottom of a bag! If your kids are old enough and can be trusted not to eat all the snacks at once, you could keep their snacks in their own backpacks. Do make sure to have some in your own bag too though for emergencies.
🧼 The “Just in Case” Essentials (Without Overdoing It)
You don’t need a full pharmacy—but a few key items can make a big difference:
- Basic medicines
- Plasters
- Hand sanitiser
- Suncream
- A small laundry bag for dirty clothes
Keep it minimal—you can usually buy anything else if needed.
🧳 What NOT to Pack
This is just as important as what to bring.
Try to avoid:
- ❌ Too many toys
- ❌ Too many clothes
- ❌ Bulky “just in case” items
- ❌ Things you can easily buy at your destination
Every extra item is something you have to carry, unpack, and repack. Some examples that have helped me over the years:
Nappies/Diapers
If your child is still in nappies, take enough with you to last a couple of days and then buy more when you get to your destination. Do make sure though that there is a supermarket or pharmacy nearby. I remember wandering around downtown Calgary at 7am trying to find anywhere open that sold nappies.
Baby Equipment
If you are travelling with a baby or toddler it is often too easy to carry extra bulky items with you. I highly recommend to think very carefully on what you actually need. With a little research you will find that a lot of places allow you to hire things such as strollers, beach tents and car seats for rental cars. I usually just used a baby carrier to navigate the airport hands free, which was very useful when also having a toddler with me at the same time and then hired or sourced any other equipment I needed at my arrival location.
Sun cream/Toiletries
I am a factor 50, several times a day kind of girl. I always take one bottle of sun cream with me to last me a while, if we do run out, most tourist places have plenty of places to restock. The same goes with toiletries. I take small bottles of the essentials, if we need more we can buy some.
Clothes
I’ve already mentioned clothes earlier, but it can’t be said often enough. It is so easy to overcomplicate our wardrobes when travelling. How often do we come back with a suitcase full of unworn clothes? Depending on where you are staying, you may even be able to wash some clothes during your holiday to be worn again. I always take wash sheets with me for those emergency sink washes.
📋 Make It Easy with a Checklist
One of the simplest ways to reduce stress is to use a packing checklist.
It helps you:
- Stay organised
- Avoid forgetting essentials
- Stop overpacking
👉 I’ve created a family travel packing checklist you can grab in my Etsy shop to make packing quick and easy.
💛 Final Thoughts: Pack Smart, Travel Happy
Packing for kids doesn’t have to be complicated.
Focus on the essentials, keep things simple, and remember—you can always adapt once you arrive.
The goal isn’t to be perfectly prepared for everything.
It’s to feel confident, organised, and ready to enjoy your trip.
📌 Coming Next
Next in the series:
How to Handle Picky Eaters When Travelling
💬 Over to You
What’s one thing you always pack when travelling with kids?
And what’s something you’ve packed before that you definitely didn’t need?
Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear!
