Our family has had the privilege of taking many road-trips over the years and one huge long-distance trip to Florida by air due to my blogging lifestyle.
If you travel with kids you know it’s important to be prepared!
Over time I have figured out what works for our family when it comes to being organized, so today I’m sharing my 8 things I pack when we travel with our kids! I am using my affiliate links in this post.
My Packing Tips for Traveling with Kids
#1: Various sizes of Backpacks and Totes
Each of our boys has his own backpack to pack his own fun necessities and not too long ago I updated them with rolling backpacks that I found on sale. We also used the rolling kind as our carry-on luggage on our flight to Florida.
For myself, I use a large tote bag to keep the things I want to have at hand in the front seat with me. Things like my laptop, Bible, reading material, etc..
I also have designated tote bags to carry towels and sandals for waterpark trips and to carry our wet dirty clothes back home in.
For amusement parks like Cedar Point I have a special sling-type carrying tote bag and a variety of fanny-packs to carry the small items because I don’t want to carry a purse.
#2: Zipping plastic bags are awesome!
These are so WONDERFUL! They come in snack size, quart, gallon and even larger!. Here’s a list of items I use them for plus some other ideas.You can find the Ziploc brand here and Hefty (my favorite for price) here.
- storing cords and chargers
- cameras
- storing/protecting a netbook (fit perfectly!) – You could use them for tablets. Great for keeping things dry!
- paper products and plastic ware
- snacks (individual portion sizes)
- store a change of clothes (tip: organize your child’s daily outfits and seal each day in a separate bag labeled for the day to wear)
- pens/pencils/crayons (keep them from getting lost in the car or hotel room)
- tissues, toilet paper, toiletries
- extra socks or misc items
#3: Batteries
We mainly use rechargeable batteries for EVERYTHING that is AA and AAA. I have had such success with them that I rarely EVER buy or use anything other than this brand.
When I take a camera requiring such batteries I am sure to pack my battery charger, too! I feel like I’m really saving money and time by not having to run out often to buy disposable batteries.
#4: Busy Work and Travel Games
Oh, yes. We love paper and writing tools at our house. Notebook or plain printer paper is a must. My youngest even takes paper and pencils with him on short local trips near home. I also have a variety of Mad Libs and puzzle books we can take with us. You can find puzzle books at the Dollar Tree.
#5: Extra pillows and blankets (for the ride). Make sure everyone is comfy, right?! Even if you’re just going to an amusement park within a couple hours from home I think it’s important to make sure the kids are comfy. See my list of 7 Tips for Enjoying Cedar Point with young kids.
#6: Extra shoes. This is important especially if you’re going to a waterpark, bring your flip flops! See a list of indoor waterparks in Ohio here.
#7: Headache and fever meds, just in case.
#8: My essential oils and diffuser. I use this brand.
What else would you add to this list? What can’t you travel without? Tell me in the comments!
Tracy Zdelar
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Yes! Thank you 🙂
Good idea, thanks!
add comic books along with travel games.
Travel games/entertainment and extra pillows/blankets are always a must for us when we travel with the little one. Good list!
Whatever works, right, Angelika?! 🙂 Lap packs, too.
Great list very important to read if you travel with family our kids I use a back pack for my goodies that I have on my lap I call it a lap back a carry on bag.