The Family Packing List by Age
Because what a baby needs on vacation is completely different from what an older kid needs. Find the packing list that fits your child’s age and skip everything you don’t need.
Stop Using One Giant Kids Packing List
What your child needs on vacation changes so much with age. Packing from one giant kids’ checklist usually means bringing things you don’t need while somehow forgetting the things you actually do. Pack for the stage you’re in instead.
01 / Babies & Infants
Think feeding, diapers, extra clothes, and sleep essentials. Babies need more gear, but it should all have a purpose.
02 / Toddlers & Preschoolers
Snacks, wipes, comfort items, and entertainment are everything. Keep the things you’ll need right now easy to grab during flights, drives, and long waits.
03 / Older Kids & Teens
Less gear, more responsibility. Give them their own backpack with snacks, headphones, entertainment, and a few essentials they can manage themselves.
BABY // 0–12 MONTHS
Pack for Feeding, Sleep + Diaper Emergencies
Sleep Essentials
- Comfortable Pajamas
- Sleep Sack / Swaddle
- Pacifiers + Extras
Feeding Kit
- Bottles + Formula / Breastfeeding Supplies
- Burp Cloths
- Bibs
- Portable Bottle Cleaning Kit Item
Diaper Emergencies
- Diapers — enough for travel day + delays
- Wipes
- Portable Changing Pad
- Diaper Cream
- Disposable or Ziploc Bags
MOM TIP // BUY IT THERE
Don’t give half your suitcase to diapers. Pack enough for travel day + the first 24 hours, then buy the rest when you arrive.
Gear on the Move
- Lightweight Stroller
- Baby Carrier
- Infant Car Seat, if needed
For the Flight
- 2 Extra Baby Outfits
- 1 Extra Shirt for Mom or Dad
- Feeding Supplies Within Reach
- Any Essential Baby Medications
- Ziploc Bags for Blowouts + Wet Clothes
TODDLER // 1–3 YEARS
Pack for Snacks, Messes + Boredom
Outfits & Organization
- Mix-and-match outfits
- Cozy spare pajamas
- Ziploc bags (for dirty clothes)
- 1 extra outfit in the carry-on
The Rotation Rule
Don’t pull everything out at once. Rotate between snacks, a small activity, screen time, and walking breaks. Saving something new for later can make a huge difference when they’re getting restless.
Snacks & Refreshment
- Easy, mess-free snacks
- Refillable spill-proof water bottle
- Wipes for sticky hands + spills
The Final Stretch Toy
Keep one new toy, activity, or special snack hidden until the last part of the flight. When they’re officially over it, you’ll still have something exciting left.
Entertainment & Comfort
- Tablet with pre-downloaded shows
- Toddler-friendly headphones
- Stickers, coloring, or small travel activities
- Favorite stuffed animal, lovey, or blanket
Travel Gear
- Lightweight stroller
- Car seat, if needed
- Small toddler backpack
LITTLE KIDS // 4–7 YEARS
More Independence. Less Gear.
01 / Clothing Essentials
- Mix-and-match outfits
- Comfy pajamas
- Light jacket or sweatshirt
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimsuit & Rashguard
MOM TIP: FOSTER INDEPENDENCE
Let them help pack their own backpack. Give them a few choices for snacks, toys, and activities so they feel like it’s their travel bag. Just do a quick check before you leave so you don’t end up traveling with a backpack full of random toys and zero headphones.
02 / Backpack & Travel Play
- Small backpack they can carry themselves
- Refillable water bottle
- Favorite travel snacks
- Kid-friendly headphones
- Tablet (offline shows/games)
- Interactive Activity Book
- Small Soft Comfort Item
FOR THE FLIGHT
Let them choose what they want for entertainment, but everything has to fit in their backpack. If they can carry it, they can bring it. This is a great age to start making them responsible for their own travel-day stuff.
BIG KIDS // 8–12 YEARS
Let Them Pack. Double-Check the Rest.
01 / The Core Wardrobe
- Mix & match casual outfits
- Cozy pajamas / sleepwear
- Underwear & daily socks
- Sweatshirt or light jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimsuit
- Personal mini toiletries bag
02 / Travel Backpack
- Refillable water bottle
- Headphones
- Offline entertainment & books
- Device chargers
- Travel-friendly snacks
MOM TIP: LET THEM TAKE OVER
Give them the checklist and let them pack their own suitcase and travel backpack. Before you leave, do one quick check for toiletries, chargers, and downloaded shows. They’re learning to pack—I’m just making sure nothing important gets left behind.
TEENS // 13+
Give Them the List. Let Them Pack.
01 / Clothes
- Outfits
- Comfortable Pajamas
- Underwear & Socks
- Comfortable Shoes
- Swimsuit & Cover-up
- Jacket/Sweater
MOM TIP: THEY’VE GOT THIS
02 / Travel + Tech
- Phone
- Chargers
- Headphones
- Water bottle
- ID or travel documents, if needed
- Snacks
03 / Toiletries
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Deodorant + body care
- Hair + skincare products
04 / Extras
- Sunglasses + hat
- Jewelry + accessories
- Book or Kindle
How Packing Changes With Age
As kids get older, the gear gets smaller and their responsibility gets bigger. Here’s how packing changes as they grow.
BABY
More Gear
Diapers, feeding supplies, stroller, sleep essentials, and plenty of backups. At this age, you’re carrying everything.
TODDLER
More Entertainment
Less baby gear, but way more snacks and distractions. Think activities, tablet, comfort items, and plenty of ways to survive.
AGES 4–7
Their Own Backpack
They can finally carry some of their own stuff! Pack their backpack with snacks, headphones, a tablet, water, and a few favorite activities.
AGES 8–12
More Responsibility
Give them the checklist and let them start packing. They handle their clothes, backpack, and entertainment, but double-check before leaving.
TEENS
Pack Themselves
Hand them the list and let them take over. Give a quick reminder about the hard-to-replace things, then their bag is their responsibility.
Packing Lists by Age
One packing list definitely doesn’t fit every age. Choose your child’s age below and download the checklist made for exactly what they need—from baby gear and toddler entertainment to big-kid essentials and teen must-haves.
Pick an age. Download the list. Pack + go.
Travel More, Stress Less
Traveling with kids means more stuff, more snacks, and a lot more planning. But it also means seeing new places through their eyes, laughing about the moments that didn’t go as planned, and making memories you’ll talk about for years.
Pack what you need, let go of perfect, and take the trip.