Vacation Packing List for kids - Free Printable

Tips for Trips with Kids

Travel just makes my heart sing, but preparing for a trip with kids can be overwhelming. 

One of my absolute favorite things is taking trips. We don't get to do a lot of big trips. We live in a super small town and the cities, where I grew up, is about 3 hours away. We do take a lot of little trips for this and that when we typically spend a night or two.
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Four huge travel tips for trips with kids!  Great tips that will make vacations with kids more enjoyable. I'm telling ya these tips are sanity savers that will have your next trip better from beginning​ to end.

Tip #1: Use a Packing List for Kids

I am going to give you mine - free.

This list is an excellent base and it can be adjusted for anyone.

It works best for children that are at reading age. Maybe about 5-7 years old and up. If you have a child that is younger than that it makes for a great starter list. Just add in the other items that you will need. Some things that come to mind are diapers, bottles, etc.. It can be fun packing with your little ones - they will love being able to check items off the list!

Here is how you use it. 

1. Print one copy for each kid and write their name at the top.
2. Fill in the quantities of how many of each item to bring where it makes sense.
3. Add in additional items by using the extra blank spaces. 
4. Cross off any unneeded items.
5. Have your child check off items as they pack. Give the list and a pencil to your child and have them select the needed items. Once they have packed each item they get to check it off the list! 

Keep in mind when they first start using a list to pack they will need a little help yet, but after they get the hang of it it will be glorious!

Also, there are always those few items that you can't pack until right before you go. What we do is we pack everything we can and then leave the list on top of our luggage, then shortly before we go we can easily see what is left on the list, pack them, and we are on our way.

​Every time we travel I print off this packing list for my kids. One for each of them. I make adjustments and then hand them the list with a pen and send them off to pack. The rule is that they can only check items off once they are in the suitcase and once they are in the suitcase they don't come back out. This way they know for sure that they have everything.

FREE Printable Packing List can be found in my SHOP under Printables! Enjoy!

We've been using the same packing list for years. I make slight alterations to it with each trip. Depending on weather and where we will be going I will alter what needs to be packed but overall its pretty good. I cutsied it up a bit and have it listed under my free printables shop page for you to download and print for FREE!

Tip #2: Luggage for kids

One of the best purchases I ever made was getting my kids each their own fun decorative suitcase. I got them all a good brightly colored carry-ons with multi-directional wheels. This has been the perfect size for most trips. I have some great recommendations below... we actually own three of those. Also, there is a rare pic of my family with their carry-ons at the bottom of this post. :) 
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About 5 years ago I decided to buy my kids luggage for Christmas and this turned out to be one of the most used, functional, and all around best gifts I ever gave them. We frequently take trips, if I can find a reason for it - we do it! 

Luggage for Kids

​Benefits of them having their own luggage:

• It is easier for them and for me when they pack their own belongings.
• It takes at least half the time to pack as it used to when I did it all.
• They have a set amount of space in their luggage and can see when they are running out. This helps them understand when their life sized stuffed bear needs to sit this trip out.
• They take care of their own suitcase which gives them responsibility and ownership.

What kind of luggage to get?

• Wheels! I highly recommend getting something with multi-directional wheels. You want something that will be easy for the kids to maneuver.
• Lightweight. Our luggage is made from polycarbonate which is a lightweight material and easy for the kids to manage.
• Hard-sided luggage. With kids you want something that is sturdy and durable again polycarbonate provides this.
• Telescoping Handle. You will want one that slides in and out easily. *TIP: You'll need to be a little careful with these and teach kids that they are not a toy. Kids find them fun to play with but I find the mechanics of them to be somewhat delicate in general and even the sturdiest ones seem to be no match for a tough and tumble kid. If you can cut down on the wear and tear that a kit will surely put on one  the longer it will last.

• Colorful and easy to spot. Stay away from the standard black luggage. Everyone has black luggage so it is kinda boring, but aside from that it is harder to keep track of. Get your kids something unique and you never have to wonder if they grabbed the wrong luggage. 
• Airline carry-on baggage policy size. Click here for an easy carry on guide by airline. I offer no guarantee that your airline is listed, but its a good list offered by Amazon. If you think that you will ever travel by plane then you will want luggage that doesn't exceed your airlines carry on size. You will want to confirm with your most used airline providers to get current carry on size limits, but my experience has been that you are pretty safe with luggage that is 22"x14"x9" inches.

Be sure you know the carry on baggage policy before you buy.

Here are some fun luggage options that fit this description.

Rockland 20 Inch Polycarbonate Carry On, Love

Rockland 20 Inch Polycarbonate Carry On, Pucci

​Rockland 20 Inch Polycarbonate Carry On, Pink Pearl

Rockland 20" Polycarbonate Carry on, Camo

Marvel Captain America Boy's 3D Pop Up 20" Hardside Spinner Carry On Expandable Luggage

Samsonite Luggage NYC Cityscapes Spinner 20, Blue Print, One Size

Please know that the luggage links above are Amazon affiliate links, meaning that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you make a purchase via one of those links.

BTW... we own 3 of the carry on luggages above and have for about 5 years now. They have all stood up very well to my kids abuse... we are still using them and everything about them still works and we have used them many many many many times! 

Here is a rare pic of my family. You can see that my kids really do have that luggage and we use it. This time we flew but most trips we drive. We even use these when we go camping once a year and we tent it so you know they are tough. :)

Tip #3 : Home to a Clean House and

Tip #4: Spending Money for Kids

Tip number 3 and 4 are so intertwined that I need to talk about them together.

After  time away on a wonderful trip no one wants to come home to a messy house. I know, I know... as if you didn't have enough to do already just preparing for the trip. But this creates a wonderful opportunity that ties into the second situation we have which is...

When on a trip kids will inevitably want to get a souvenir sometimes they ask for many souvenirs which can add up and become very expensive very quickly that is if we were to say 'yes' to all the requests. So we find ourselves saying 'no', a lot, which gets tiring and sometimes we then feel like the bad guy, saying 'no' to everything instead the fun parent that took them on a trip.

I have a wonderful solution that addresses both of these issues.

About a year ago I implemented a new rule at our house which has worked fabulously! The rule is that I will pay for the hotel (or Airbnb), the meals, and the experiences we do together and the kids need to pay for their own souvenirs and extras.

How do they get money...? Well, they could have saved from the weeks before or money from gifts and such or kids can do chores, cleaning the house and earn some spending money before we go!

That is what we do.

• We use our awesome chore chart and assign chores to each kiddo
• The kids do chores and earn money, which also gets our home cleaned before the trip!
• Then they make thoughtful and selective decisions about which souvenirs are worth their hard earned money.
• Bonus - I get to continue being the amazing parent that took them on a trip and didn't have to constantly say 'NO'.

Here is a picture of the fabulous chore chart we use. This is one that I created for my family, it works so amazingly that I started a business from it! There is loads of stuff about chores, chores for kids, chore charts for kids and many other things on this site. The chore charts can be made to work for any size family. Just click around if you want to learn more. It seriously has been life changing. (I know that sounds a little over the top, but its true!)

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Those are my top tips for travel with kids.

Wishing you a wonderful trip!