Nothing says family vacation like building sandcastles, taking in the beachy waves, and… frantic last-minute packing!
When you have to pack for the whole family, especially for infants or toddlers, things can get chaotic quickly.
Be it for first-time family vacationers or seasoned travelers, it always helps to have a handy checklist so you don’t forget to pack important stuff at the last minute.
In this article, we’ll give you a list of 7 essentials that you absolutely cannot forget during your next family trip.
1. Baby essentials
Travelling with a child is an adventure on its own.
Not only do you have to pack for the adults, but you need to ensure that you’ve packed essentials that agree with your baby’s needs.
Depending on how much you plan on walking with your baby, you might want to pack a stroller and a carrier. If you plan on driving, don’t forget a baby seat.
Other essentials include a breast pump, infant formula milk, a sippy cup, some wipes, diapers, bibs, baby food, and a nursing pad.
Don’t forget your baby’s favorite blankie!
2. First-aid Kit
A first-aid kit is one of the most important things to pack, especially while travelling with children. Your kit should include the following:
- Bandaids (opt for kids’ bandaids with characters and cartoons on them!)
- Vitamin supplements
- Prescription medication with a doctor’s note
- Medicine for fever, tummy aches, allergies, cold, motion sickness, and tiredness
- Tweezers
- Thermometer
- Bug spray
- Antibacterial ointment
- Pain relievers
- Cough drops
Keep your first-aid kit away from your child’s reach, and clearly label every component so that you don’t have to stress in case of an emergency.
3. Games and toys
Keeping children entertained while on a trip can be quite a challenge. We recommend packing some toys and games on the move so that they are occupied while you figure out where to go.
In case you forget to pack a game, play mad libs or I-Spy while in the car or bus.
You might also want to pack a stuffed animal or blankie so that your children have something comforting to hold on to if they’re feeling stressed.
A pro tip is to write down your contact information on their stuffed toy in the unfortunate event that your child gets lost.
4. Electronics
Whatever the type of vacation you’re taking, it is always a good idea to have your electronics charged and ready to go.
Here’s a list of things you need:
- Laptop and charger
- Mobile phone and charger
- Power bank
- Earphones
- Phone mount in case your rental car does not have a GPS
- Travel adapter in case you travel overseas
- Aux cable for music (Baby Shark, anyone?)
- A Kindle if your child loves to read
5. Reusable water bottle
Do your part for the environment by using reusable water bottles instead of buying single-use bottles.
Fill your bottle at restaurants, your hotel, or public water supply taps.
In case you want to be extra careful, we recommend using a portable purifier to remove chlorine and other contaminants.
6. Backpack
You can never have a large enough backpack, especially if you’re travelling with children.
Invest in a sturdy backpack that has enough space to put your essentials in, like things for the baby, snacks, a water bottle, your camera, and other important items.
Make sure that your backpack has a separate compartment in which you can keep your documents. Using travel packing cubes would also help you pack in a more organized way.
Carry photocopies of important documents like your passport, driver’s licence, children’s birth certificates, and rental information so that you always have that information at hand.
We also recommend carrying digital copies of these documents on your phone.
7. Packing cubes
When you’re packing for multiple people, packing cubes make your job much easier.
Organising everyone’s luggage is simpler when you have packing cubes of different colours. Teach your kids what colours their cubes are, so they know where their stuff is.
In case you don’t want to use cubes, you can also opt for Ziplock bags.
Label each bag clearly so that there is no confusion when you’re on your trip. You can also draw helpful cartoons (like a toothbrush or bubbles for shampoo) in case your child can’t read long words yet.
The Bottom Line
While packing for a vacation may seem overwhelming, it is easy to do if you plan ahead of time.
Making a list is a great place to start. Make packing a fun activity by involving your whole family.
Now you’re all set for a fun vacation!