From car seats to diaper bags, from snack provisions to extra changes of clothes, packing for family travel usually involves a lot of grit and gear. Not only can you end up overpacking, but you can also find yourself in some uncomfortable situations on the road if you don’t pack up your crew just right. If you you often find yourself in foreign parts with way too much stuff, or not enough of the right stuff, these family travel hacks should help alleviate the stress and worry of traveling with your pack!
Make a List
Family travel requires planning and organization. You’ll have a mess on your hands if you try to pack the night before without a plan. Putting a pen to paper can help you organize your luggage before you even put anything in it. You also might be able to visualize areas where you are forgetting items or where you might be overpacking. At least a week before your trip, make a packing list for each family member. tat way, if you need to pick up a few items before departure day, you won’t have to make the mad last-minute dash to the store. Not a list maker? You can avoid forgetting necessary items by going through your normal day-to-day routine — thinking of everything you put on and use throughout your day and pack each item accordingly!
Use Checked Car Seats for Extra Space
If you’re flying with younger kids, chances are you’ll need to check a car seat. The good news? Airlines let you check car seats for free, so you won’t have to worry about extra baggage fees. That means you’ve got a great opportunity to save space and money—especially if you use that car seat bag wisely. You can buy a travel bag made to cover and protect your car seat during the flight. And here’s a helpful tip: you can also use that bag to stuff in bulky jackets, blankets, diapers, or anything else you don’t need during the flight. It’s a smart way to lighten your carry-on load without paying extra.
Share Your Luggage
While some family members might grumble, sharing baggage is one of the easiest ways to make travel simpler when you’re with a big group. Instead of packing one bag for every person, see if you can combine clothes and essentials into fewer suitcases. This way, you’ll have less to check at the airport—or just fewer bags to juggle overall. You can also create a shared bag for bulkier stuff like shoes, coats, or extra gear. That frees up space in the other bags and keeps things more organized. It might take a little planning up front, but it’ll save you time, stress, and possibly money once you’re on the move.
Color Coordinate Packing Cubes for Each Family Member
If you’re planning to share suitcases, make sure everyone can still find their stuff easily once you arrive. That’s where packing cubes come in handy. They help keep things organized, save space, and make unpacking way easier. Most sets come in different colors, which is perfect for families. Just assign each person a color, and you’ll instantly know whose clothes are whose. No more digging through piles of mixed-up clothes to find a pair of socks. It’s a simple system that keeps everyone’s things in order, even when you’re all packed into one suitcase.
Pack an Extra Travel-Day Outfit for Everyone
Be sure to designate separate outfits for travel days. This way you’ll always know you have something clean for what can turn out to be a stressful day. You probably know your toddler will need an extra outfit, but don’t forget about yourself. Spills seem to occur automatically on travel days and they usually wind up on the parent and not the toddler. Everyone in your party should have an extra change of clothes on hand if an accident should occur, no matter if you booked cheap flights or scored a great vacation package for the hottest summer months. It’s also a good idea to throw in a few extra outfits for your trip in general. You’ll inevitably go through more outfit changes than you thought, so it’s best to be prepared.
Pack Snacks So They’re Readily Accessible
While it’s not an official TSA rule, more and more agents are asking passengers to take out all food items at security. That might not be a big deal if you’re traveling solo, but with kids in tow, it can turn into a hassle—especially if snacks are scattered across multiple bags. Since families usually pack plenty of food for the flight, it’s smart to plan ahead. Put all your snacks in one clear plastic bag or container and keep it in an easy-to-reach spot. That way, if an agent asks to see your food, you can pull it out quickly without digging through everyone’s backpacks. It helps you get through security faster and keeps the stress level low, which is especially helpful when you’re juggling kids, bags, and boarding passes all at once.
Keep Everyone Entertained
You will avert a good deal of potential meltdowns if you pack along plenty of entertainment options for your children. Start with books, stickers, activity sheets, and art supplies. A deck of cards is also a good idea for older children. Bringing out entertainment items that are new to your child will give them something to look forward to and will likely hold their attention for a longer period of time.
If you are packing electronic devices for entertainment, be sure to bring the appropriate charging devices. You can also download movies and games ahead of your travel so that you do not have to rely on an internet connection to get it done.
Use Resealable and Vacuum-Sealed Bags
One of the easiest ways to simplify your travel experience as a family is to lean on the many uses of resealable plastic bags and vacuum-sealed bags. Use the vacuum bags when packing to maximize space and keep all of your travel essentials organized. The bag will shrink and take up less space after you pack it with clothes and suck out the air. You can also use these bags to keep toiletries secure and to prevent leakage in your luggage. These versatile bags also make great wet bags for swimsuits, dirty laundry holders, or trash receptacles throughout the trip.
Resealable plastic bags will come in handy when toting snacks on your travel day or out on day trips. Staying at a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast? Throw some dry cereal in a bag for your kids to snack on later if they get cranky.
Carry Reusable Water Bottles
Savvy travelers always carry reusable water bottles with them on their adventures. Although you cannot take a full water bottle through airport security, you can certainly take a reusable and empty bottle anywhere with you on all legs of the journey. Use a water fountain in the airport to fill your bottle after clearing security, and you will save loads of money keeping your family hydrated. The savings can really add up when traveling with a large family.
You also will not need to worry about finding your kids something to drink if they complain that they are thirsty. Heading to the beach for the day? Fill up your water bottles before you leave the room for maximum savings and convenience. As a bonus, using reusable bottles is also better for the environment.
Bring Comfy Outfits
The days of dressing up to travel are long gone. Nothing will make a child crankier faster than being uncomfortable. This is not the time to be worried about coordinating outfits for cute pictures. Comfort should be the ultimate goal when traveling with children. Dressing in layers is always a good idea when traveling so that you can easily add or remove layers to adjust to the temperature. For example, even if you booked cheap flights to and from a warm destination, airplanes tend to run cold.
So don’t hesitate to dress your children in pajamas if you think that will make them more comfortable and will encourage sleeping. This is particularly important if you are taking a red-eye flight. Loose-fitting and soft clothes are what you should aim for when dressing yourself and your children.
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FAQs:
Q: Can I bring a stroller through airport security and to the gate?
A: Yes, most airlines allow you to bring a stroller through security and gate-check it before boarding. Be sure to check with your airline for specific size and weight restrictions.
Q: How early should I arrive at the airport when traveling with kids?
A: Plan to arrive at least 2.5 to 3 hours early for domestic flights and 3 to 3.5 hours early for international flights. Family travel takes longer at check-in and security.
Q: Should I bring a travel crib or rely on hotel-provided options?
A: If your child sleeps best in their own space, a lightweight travel crib may be worth bringing. Always call ahead to confirm if the hotel has a crib available and if it meets your standards.
Q: What’s the best way to keep track of kids at the airport?
A: Dress your kids in bright or matching colors, use ID bracelets, and consider child harnesses or wearable GPS trackers for toddlers or young kids in busy airports.
Q: Are there airport play areas for kids?
A: Many larger airports have children’s play areas, but they vary by location. Check the airport’s website or app before you travel to see if one is available near your gate.
Q: How do I manage time zone changes with young children?
A: Gradually adjust bedtimes a few days before your trip. On arrival, try to get your child on the local schedule quickly using outdoor light and mealtimes as natural cues.
Q: What documents do I need for kids when flying internationally?
A: Children need their own passports for international travel. Some countries also require a notarized letter of consent if only one parent is traveling with the child. Always check entry requirements in advance.
Do you have your own family travel packing hacks? Share your tips with us in our comments section below!
