Nothing can derail a vacation like forgetting to pack something important or an airline losing your luggage.
There is a way, though, to create the perfect packing checklist and plan strategically so you’ll have everything you need, even if an airline loses your bag.
Here are some of our top tips, whether you’re traveling with a baby, toddler, or teenager.
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Create a Master Family Packing Spreadsheet
It might seem like a lot of work upfront, but creating a master spreadsheet for packing for your family can save you a lot of stress.
Make a column for each person, and consider the weather at your location, as well as the availability of laundry facilities.
Think about the types of meals you plan to have — will you need a fancier outfit for one night? Consider whether you’ll need different types of shoes for walking and hiking. Do you need snow gear, or are you heading to the beach?
Then, break your list down into the following categories for each person:
Documentation and money
These are some of the most important things to pack. While you can buy clothing and toiletries abroad, your paperwork isn’t so easy to replace.
- Identification: Depending on where you’re traveling, you might need passports and visas. Even if you’re not traveling internationally, make sure you have some form of ID for everyone.
- Booking receipts: Have the receipts or confirmation emails for hotel bookings and tickets you’ve pre-purchased for attractions or tours.
- Travel insurance: You’ll need medical insurance cards for each family member. Research ahead of time what your travel insurance covers, especially if you’re traveling internationally.
- Money: Bring more than one payment method. For example, bring multiple credit cards (ideally that don’t charge foreign exchange fees), as well as cash. Exchange some money ahead of time so you already have foreign currency on hand when you land.
- Contact list: Bring a list of emergency contacts, such as the address for the local embassy, your travel insurance hotline number, and your family doctor back home.
Clothing and accessories
The contents within this category will change depending on your destination’s climate and your planned activities. But there are a few things you’ll always want to have with you:
- Sunglasses and hats for everyone
- Daypack for carrying items while out sightseeing
- Comfortable shoes
- Sleepwear
- Socks and underwear
- Swimsuit
- Weather-appropriate outerwear (jackets, sweaters, raincoats, etc.)
Keep a change of clothing easily accessible (such as in your carry-on if you’re flying), especially if you have young children. This includes clothes for yourself if your toddler spills something on you!
To save space, choose clothing that you can mix and match or that can serve multiple purposes. For example, you can pack comfortable walking shoes that are also stylish enough to wear with a dress, or a scarf that doubles as a beach cover-up.
Health and hygiene
Each person in your family likely has shampoo or soap they prefer. Purchase airline-approved travel containers with labels ahead of time to bring your favorites from home, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Don’t forget feminine items, sanitation wipes, and any other personal care items you use daily. This is especially true for makeup or items you use often but won’t be able to easily find in a store if you forget them.
Most importantly, don’t forget prescription medicines and a first aid kit. Ideally, you don’t want to have to find a pharmacy to refill a missing medication when you’re out of town.
Here are some health/hygiene items you may want to put in your master checklist:
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash/soap
- Deodorant
- Facial cleansers and moisturizers
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- First aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers)
- Prescription medications
- Common OTC medications (antacids, allergy medicine)
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Hair care items (brush, styling products)
- Feminine hygiene products
Technology and entertainment
It’s a good idea to pack extra chargers and even portable chargers for your phones. If you’re bringing a laptop, don’t forget the power cord or any other supplies you might need.
For international travel, bring an adapter so you can plug your cords into foreign outlets that have different prongs.
Research the area's wifi capabilities and decide whether you’ll need to arrange to rent or purchase a portable router.
Here are some tech and entertainment items you may want to put in your master checklist:
- Phone chargers
- Portable power banks
- Headphones
- Tablets/e-readers
- Travel adapter (for international trips)
- Camera
- Books, games, or toys for kids
- Coloring books and crayons/pencils
- Playing cards
- Comfort items for children (stuffed animals, blankets)
- Portable nightlight for kids
Food and hydration
Bring reusable water bottles for everyone, so you can save money (and the environment!).
If anyone has specific dietary restrictions, bring food they can eat, like protein bars, for times when restaurants can’t accommodate them or you’re far from a store.
If you’re traveling with a baby, pack all the essentials, such as bottles, formula, or pumping supplies.
Research TSA regulations for baby-feeding supplies so you know what you can and can’t bring through security.
Here are some food/hydration items you may want to put in your master checklist:
- Water bottles
- Non-perishable snacks (granola bars, dried fruit, crackers)
- Easy breakfast items (instant oatmeal packets, cereal bars)
- Baby food/formula if needed
- Travel mugs for hot drinks
- Reusable food containers
- Plastic bags for leftovers and trash
Helpful Packing Tricks for Families
When you’re traveling as a group, you’ll no doubt have a lot of luggage with you, which is why it’s extra important to be organized. Here are a few tips to ensure nothing gets left behind:
Optimize your luggage space
Instead of every family member carrying their own clothes, spread your contents out. Packing cubes are very helpful for this. You can place at least one packing cube in a different person’s bag, so everyone has clothes even if the airline loses their luggage.
Airlines lose approximately two million suitcases every year, reports NPR, so it’s best to be prepared!
Keep important items accessible in carry-ons
Keep medicine, a first aid kit, and any other essential supplies in your carry-on.
This is also the place for devices, iPads for your kids, books, diapers, snacks, and an extra outfit.
Ideally, each person should have their own carry-on, so one or two people aren’t tasked with carrying everything for everyone (but make sure things like passports and medicines are with a responsible adult!).
Bundle daily outfits
Think about organizing your bag by day. Place everything you need for an outfit together in one pile, including underwear and socks.
Roll the items together or place them in a packing cube or a large ziplock bag.
Leave space for souvenirs
If you love bringing home souvenirs to remember your trip, don’t forget to leave space for them!
Many people end up purchasing an extra piece of luggage or shipping souvenirs home, which can get expensive.
FAQs About Family Packing
How do I ensure I don’t forget last-minute items?
The best way to remember everything you need on your trip is to create a spreadsheet ahead of time and give yourself several days to pack.
Make a separate list of items you need to pack the morning of, like phone chargers, toothbrushes, and medicine.
Are there apps for digital packing lists?
Yes, there are several apps for packing lists. You can use the notes app on your phone or download apps like PackPoint or Packr.
How do you manage packing when splitting time between different climates?
The best way to pack when your trip includes a mix of climates is to think of outfits in layers. Your base layer should be lightweight. Then, consider adding items like long underwear, which keeps you warm but folds compactly.
You can even consider packing a separate piece of luggage for cold-weather gear, so it’s easy to switch the bags you use when you change locations.
TL;DR: How To Create a Family Packing Checklist
A well-structured packing checklist will take some time to create, but once you have it, it’ll save you a lot of packing stress.
Create a column for each family member and cover all the key categories: clothing, health/hygiene, technology/entertainment, and travel documents and money.
Once you have a base list, you can then customize it to a new destination every time you take a trip.
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