The Ultimate Family Travel Packing Checklist: Because You Know You’ll Forget Something!

Travel components from sunglasses to camera equipment. Checklist to keep it organized helps.

Ah, family travel! The thrill of adventure mixed with the chaos of packing. If you’ve ever looked at an online packing checklist, you know they always seem to miss the essentials—like that one kid’s favorite stuffed animal or the secret stash of snacks that can save any road trip from disaster. Coming from a family that has perfected the art of travel (and the art of forgetting things), here’s a tried-and-true packing checklist that includes kids, things to do before the trip, and a sprinkle of humor to keep you sane.

Check out the attached PDF for a full travel checklist.

TXFAMADVENT_PACKING LIST.pdf

Download PDF • 650KB

Here are a few tips & checklist items:

Before You Pack: The Pre-Trip Ritual

• Family Meeting: Gather everyone around and discuss the trip. This is the moment when kids will suddenly remember they need 47 toys and that one rare Pokémon card.

• Emergency Snack Planning: Remember, hungry kids are cranky kids. Stock up on snacks that won’t melt or explode in your bag—unless you enjoy cleaning chocolate off the car seats.

• Check the Weather: Because nothing says “fun family trip” like packing for a sunny beach day only to arrive in a snowstorm. Bonus points if the kids wear their swimsuits under their winter coats.

  
  

The Family Packing Checklist

• Clothes:

  • Outfits for each day (plus one for the inevitable “oops, I spilled juice on myself” moment).

  • Swimwear (even if you’re not going swimming, because kids somehow always find water).

  • Jackets (because you never know when it will get chilly or when your child will decide to jump into a fountain).

• Kids’ Essentials:

  • Favorite stuffed animal (because without it, you might as well turn around and go home).

  • Books or tablets loaded with games (to keep them quiet—at least for a few minutes).

  • Blankets (for comfort, warmth, or spontaneous car naps).

• Toiletries:

  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste (trust me, the hotel doesn’t have enough for a family of four).

  • Kid-friendly shampoo (because you don’t want to hear “it stings!” in the shower).

  • First-aid kit (because kids are like magnets for scrapes and bruises).

• Travel Documents:

  • Passports (if you’re going international, because “I forgot it” is not an acceptable excuse at the airport).

  • Reservation confirmations (print them out; your phone will die at the worst possible moment).

  • Insurance info (because it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially with kids).

• Miscellaneous Must-Haves:

  • Portable charger (for all the devices you’ll inevitably need).

  • Travel games or cards (to distract the kids during long waits).

  • Camera (to capture those priceless moments—and the ones where your kid is having a meltdown).

Final Touches: The Night Before

• Pack the Car: If you can fit everything into the car without needing a degree in Tetris, you’re winning at life.

• Set an Alarm: Because you know you’ll need an extra hour to wrangle the kids in the morning.

• Double-Check the Checklist: Go through this list one last time. If you forget the stuffed animal, you might as well just turn around.

Conclusion: Enjoy the Journey!

Traveling with kids can be a delightful adventure or a chaotic circus—often both! With this comprehensive packing checklist, you’ll be well-prepared for whatever comes your way. Just remember, the most important thing to bring is a sense of humor. Happy travels, and may your car snacks last until you reach your destination!