How To Pack Smart for Family Travel

A successful family trip starts before you even leave the house. 

While it’s important to pack all the essentials so you can avoid unnecessary purchases along the way, it is also important not to make the trip more burdensome with overly packed baggage. 

Whether you have multiple kids or are traveling to areas of different climates, with the right essentials and smart packing strategies, you can be prepared for anything — without overstuffing your bags. 

Choose the Right Travel Bags for Your Family

Going cheap on your luggage will cost you in the long run, especially if you plan to travel for more than a week or multiple times a year. 

Low-quality bags are more likely to break, tear, or have faulty zippers and wheels, meaning you will have to replace your bag sooner than you want or deal with the pain of a wonky bag mid-trip.

You don’t need to spend a fortune, but there are some important factors you should consider when choosing family luggage.

Weight

How heavy is the bag right off the shelf? If the material is pushing 11 to 13 pounds when it’s empty, that’s extra weight you don’t need to be lugging through the airport (or worrying about at baggage check-in). 

Amazon Basics has a 30-inch hardside rolling bag weighing under 10 pounds. 

Durability

For checked bags, waterproof, hard-sided luggage is better rated than soft-sided. Not only do they last longer, but they’re also harder to break into. 

Plus, the price difference is minimal — you can find many top-rated travel brands like Samsonite and Swiss Gear for under $150. 

Organizational features

A suitcase with separated compartments can make packing for your family easier, but don’t overpay for a bag with this as its selling point. 

A set of packing cubes typically costs less than $20 and can help you organize any luggage. 

Type

There are several types of luggage options, and even for a short family trip, you might need a mix of different options. 

• Rolling suitcases are ideal for heavier bags, especially the ones that you plan to check. Look for ones with spinner wheels. 
• Smaller rolling suitcases for a carry-on could be a good choice if you don’t need constant access to it during a flight, since overhead bins usually fill up, and your rolling carry-on could get checked at the gate. 
• Backpacks and duffle bags are ideal for additional carry-ons that you can squeeze under your seat and have handy while en route. 

Children ages four and up should each have their own backpack — this makes it easier for each child to carry their own snacks, activities, and change of clothing. 

Create a Family Travel Packing Checklist

Taking the time to create a master family packing spreadsheet or list before your trip will save you time and stress. 

Categorize all the essentials each family member needs, as well as other items that are commonly forgotten, such as over-the-counter medications, chargers for phones and computers, and reusable water bottles. 

You can create different lists based on the different types of trips you take regularly, such as road trips, flights, camping, and international travel. Look up free travel checklists online for inspiration. 

On each list, keep a running list of existing travel gear. This will allow you to quickly note when you discard a broken item or add a reminder of what you need to buy before your next trip. 

Packing Strategies for Different Types of Family Travel

Even with a master packing list, each trip will have its own unique requirements for what you pack and how you pack it. 

Packing for air travel with kids

I like to assign each child their own backpack that contains all their activities and snacks for the plane ride. I also pack one outfit (pajamas too, if we land at night) and a travel-sized hygiene kit for them. 

The rest of their clothes and travel needs get packed in a larger, checked family suitcase. 

This allows you to have easy access to fresh clothes or hygiene items if you need them on the plane or if your luggage is delayed. 

Adult travelers should also have their own carry-ons with extra clothing, hygiene items, as well as tech and chargers, and other shared family essentials. 

Remember, medical and diaper bags do not count as a carry-on. If you need to bring a cooler for prescribed medication or breastmilk, or a bag to hold medical devices, you are allowed to do so. 

Additionally, most airlines allow a free diaper bag per child that doesn’t count as the guardian’s carry-on. 

Packing for road trips with kids

Packing for road trips can be a little tricky because you need to efficiently use up your trunk space while still having access to snacks, activities, and other essentials. 

Use a soft cooler, such as the ones from Yeti, to keep drinks, sandwiches, and other snacks cold for many hours. These flexible coolers can sit comfortably at your feet for easy access. 

Have another bag handy with shelf-stable snacks, like chips and candy. Don’t forget to pack disposable cups, utensils, plates, and napkins, as well as wet wipes and small trash bags. This will help your family stay clean even while dining in the car. 

Each person should have their own bag for activities and a fresh pair of clothes by their seat. If you are traveling with a baby or toddler, expect to have two pairs of clean clothes, as well as extra diapers or potty training pants, within arm’s reach. 

You don’t want to have to dig through your luggage on the side of the road to find clean clothes when an accident happens. 

Another tip if you are traveling with toddlers or young elementary kids: pack a kid potty. Even with well-planned pit stops, small kids have unpredictable bladders. Having a small training potty packed can limit the stress of stopping too many times. 

Packing Light for Family Travel

Even though you want to be prepared for anything that could come up during your trip, packing too much stuff can be just as stressful.

Here are a few ideas to lighten your load:

• Pack versatile clothing that doesn’t easily wrinkle or stain. Look at hiking/camping clothing options, like quick-dry pants and shirts. You can wash these in the sink or shower, and they should be dry by the next day. 
• Limit shoe choices. Stick with a shoe you can wear comfortably for all your sightseeing but that still looks stylish with most outfits. Other travelers recommend Blundstones, Keen, and Nike Pegasus Trail Gore-TEX. 
• Plan around a washing machine. Check if your accommodations have access to a washer/dryer or an included laundry service, or if there is a laundromat nearby. This can help you pack just three days’ worth of clothes for each person for a week-long trip. 

Food and Health Essentials for Family Travel

Usually, when kids are fussing or not getting along with siblings, they need a little protein to keep their blood sugar stable. Keeping food on hand can prevent a lot of travel-time drama. 

Here are some tips:

• Protein-rich snacks will help your whole family stave off the hangry feeling better than sugary snacks. 
• Pack snacks that are easy to open and eat on the go, such as beef sticks, protein bars, applesauce or yogurt pouches, trail mix, and string cheese. 
• It’s fun to pack snacks you wouldn’t normally get from the store, such as a new chip flavor or a special cookie or cereal. These can help keep moods up when the travel time is dragging on. 
• Have baby wipes or sanitation wipes on hand, since little hands often get messy and transportation seats and rails are a number one germ collector.

You also want to pack for illness and safety. A first aid kit doesn’t take up a lot of room, but it can save you from having to run to the pharmacy. 

Pack bandages, travel-sized fever reducer, a thermometer, pain medication (chewable or travel-size liquid for kids), and allergy-relief eye drops and pills. 

With your doctor’s blessing, chewable melatonin can also be helpful for anxious minds to rest that first night away from home. You can also try aromatherapy sleep spray. 

Must-Have Travel Gear for Families

The younger your kids are, the more gear you typically need. Don’t let this keep you from traveling, though! 

There are several gear options that make traveling with babies and toddlers easier. Either buy these versions from the start or try borrowing or renting them for your trip. 

Compact strollers

Depending on the age of your little one, a travel or umbrella stroller is easier to use than other models. 

For example, the Jeep Travel Stroller is one that costs less than $60 and is lightweight and takes up little space. It is a good choice for babies older than four months old, as well as toddlers and preschoolers. 

If you need a stroller for multiple kids, a compact stroller like Baby Jogger’s City Select can be converted into a single stroller, double stroller, or a double stroller with an additional riding board for a third child. 

While this type of stroller will be heavier and more expensive than an umbrella stroller, it will also last you many years and grow with you as your family grows. 

Whatever type of stroller you choose, gate check it when you fly so you can have it until you board. This will also keep your stroller handy as soon as you arrive at your destination, rather than having to wait for it at baggage claim. 

Baby carriers 

If possible, leave the car seat at home if you plan on flying. Not only are they heavy, but they can take a beating when you travel. 

Instead, use a wearable baby carrier to make it easier to navigate a busy airport or as you explore your new destination. 

Many car rental places offer the option to add on a baby or toddler car seat, or you can use baby gear rental websites such as BabyQuip to reserve car seats and other gear. 

Portable travel gear 

If renting baby gear is out of the question, you can find portable items that are easier to take with you. 

Look for baby gear that is foldable or designed for camping. You can find mini folding high chairs, as well as Pack n Plays that double as a bed and play yard. 

Safety items for traveling with kids

Keep kids safe with wearable GPS trackers, such as an AirTag that you can connect to your phone. You can even find affordable jewelry or key rings that discreetly hold the AirTag. 

If you are traveling with a baby or toddler, you might want to bring outlet covers, corner covers, or a door stop to keep them safe at the hotel or home rental. 

Finally, ID bracelets or necklaces that contain the child’s emergency contact information as well as any medical must-knows is a good idea, even for kids that do know where they live. 

This information can be valuable to have on a bracelet or tag if the child gets overwhelmed by being lost or is separated and has a medical emergency. 

READ MORE: Child Safety Tips for Stress-Free Family Travel Abroad

FAQs About Packing for Family Travel

What’s the best way to pack efficiently for a family of four?

It’s easier to use a large, rolling suitcase for the bulk of your items, separating each person's items with packing cubes. 

Use carry-on bags or backpacks for each person to carry activities, snacks, and one extra pair of clothes and hygiene items. 

How do I organize kids’ items so they’re easy to access during travel?

Devote smaller bags or pouches to kid essentials — this can make it easier to keep their items separate in your larger luggage. 

Use mesh bags to organize different activities, to prevent you from having a huge mess to clean up before landing. 

What are the best travel bags for families with young children?

Look for larger, hardside suitcases that have expanding features or organizational compartments, such as the Samsonite Winfield 3 or the Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Spinner. Or you can make other bags easier to organize with packing cubes. 

For a carry-on, look for backpacks that can double as a diaper bag, such as the Herschel Little America Backpack. 

Kids will need smaller, lighter backpacks, such as the Osprey Daylite Jr. Backpack. 

Bottom Line: Packing for Family Trips

At the end of the trip, you won’t remember how efficient your carry-on luggage was or if you overpacked art activities for your kids. You will remember the great memories you made with your family. 

Packing well can save you a lot of stress on your trip, but remember not to make your luggage choice more important than your destination. 

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