Family Travel Tips: Packing for a Vacation with Kids

Family vacations are tons of fun, and these tips for packing kids luggage for vacation make it so much easier for parents. When your children are able to easily get what they need from their luggage, it decreases your stress and makes them feel independent. These tips will help make your next vacation go much more smoothly.

Pack mix and match clothing. To make everything easier throughout vacation, pack things that will always match no matter what your child chooses. Solid colored shorts with t-shirts in various colors and styles that will match easily. Denim, khaki, grey, black and navy are great solid classic colored bottoms to pack that most t-shirts and tanks will match with ease.

Pack outfits in baggies. One easy way to pack your kids bag is to put a complete outfit into a gallon-sized Ziploc baggie for each day you are on the road. Each “kit” will include underwear, top, bottom, and socks.

Limit choices. Limit the number of items packed to keep down the frustration of picking something each day. That is a big part of why the mix and match clothing is so important. Fewer fights to get them dressed and ready to go each day.

Pack all in one toiletry items. Instead of bringing separate shampoos, conditioners and body washes or soaps for everyone in the family – choose a set of simple all in one product that everyone can use. For kids, you may want to do the 3 in 1 shampoo, conditioner and body wash products that are made for their sensitive skin. If packing separate items for your child, pack all toiletries into one baggie to create a toiletry “kit” they can easily grab from their luggage as needed.

Pack electronics and toys for in the car or on plane separately. Pack the activities that will keep them from being bored into a separate bag or backpack to go in the car seat or plane with them. This will save you from digging something out on the side of the road.

Pack the most used items on top. Things like jackets, or that outfit that is just in case weather is hotter or colder than expected can go on the bottom of the suitcase. Packing kids luggage for vacation means streamlining things for easy access. Pack daily outfit kits on top along with pajamas and their toiletries. If comfort items are needed, try to put those in the bag that will stay with them in the car or on the plane.

As you head out with your family for the ultimate road trip this year, you don’t have to worry about the stress of kid scrambling in their luggage to find something to wear. Use these tips for packing kids luggage for a vacation to make your trip less stressful. Not only will their luggage stay orderly, you’ll have less daily stress trying to get them ready each morning to go out for your next great adventure.

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17 Comments
  1. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

    It sounds like I am doing everything right! Thanks for the tips!

  2. Catherine S says

    These are great tips. I need to try packing outfits in baggies.

  3. Heather says

    For the kids I pack in outfits. But I am definitely guilty of overpacking!

  4. Jeanine says

    Great tips! We don’t go on many vacations but we are hoping to start after our move. It would be good for us and I think we could all use a nice vacay!

  5. Pam says

    PAcking mix and match clothing is much better than packing individual outfits. You never know when someone won’t want to wear a certain shirt or pair of shorts.

  6. The best tip is the all in one for the entire family. Brilliant!

  7. Liz Mays says

    If only my kids would take heed of these tips. My son’s luggage was always a mess!

  8. Lois Alter Mark says

    These are great tips. We have had to pull over during road trips before we left stuff in the trunk that should have been in the back seat with the kids!

  9. Alice Chase says

    We are taking the kids on several trips this year. I will be using a lot of these tips.

  10. All great tips, packing is such a chore for me, I’m just not good at it!

  11. Toughcookiemommy says

    Limiting choices is a great idea. Kids tend to want to dump everything but the kitchen sink in their luggage when they go on vacation.

  12. mburbage says

    Great tips! I always hesitate when I pack for the kids. I redo it like five times too thinking I missed something or even didn’t need something. Most used item on top is a great idea!

  13. Seattle Travel Blogger says

    I like the idea of using baggies! That would make things a lot easier and a lot more organized.

  14. Rachelle J says

    I am a huge fan of mix and match when it comes to kids clothes! It’s SO much easier that way.

  15. Amber NElson says

    These are great tips. it always takes me forever to get my kids packed.

  16. The Mid-Atlantic Foodie says

    These are awesome tips and I’m going to be using them since I’m in the midst of packing right now!

  17. Margaret Ballard says

    Thanks for the helpful post! Sometimes I really get confused what to pack for my daughter for a vacation. I usually pack as much as I can items, because I never know what exactly I am gonna need.

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