Pack Your Bags (and don't forget anything!)

Summer trips are the best! But packing can be such a drag. See below for some packing list starters to get you going in the direction.

*Want a printable version of this packing list? Click here!*

General packing list: 

• Note- using packing cubes (different color for each family member?) can make everything easy to find

• Necessary travel documents for each traveler- passports, birth certificates, boarding passes, maps

  • Traveling solo with a child outside of the country? If applicable, bring a notarized letter from the other parent authorizing the trip with dates and signature, and a photocopy of the other parent’s passport.

• License, any needed cash, credit cards, insurance cards

• Cell phone and charger

• Book/kindle/magazines

• Water bottle

• Headphones

• Heading to a rental? Check the list of what is provided.  You may need to bring:

  • Sheets, towels, coffee, condiments, cleaning supplies

• Space bags or a pillow case for collecting dirty laundry

• Bag or tote to use during the trip, smaller bag for going out to dinner, etc.

• Note- have a family member that uses any medicine sporadically? Look into things like a travel nebulizer so that you have the peace of mind while away from home.

Adults:

Clothing:

• Bring one outfit per day, and 1 additional

  • If you have small children or will be engaging in potentially messy activities, pack an additional outfit or two.

  • If you think you will be able to use items more than once, put together outfits using as few items as possible.

• Pajamas- 1 -2 pairs per week

• Lounge clothes/hooded sweatshirt or sweater

• Seasonal outerwear- raincoat, winter coat, hat/mittens, boots

• Location specific, examples:

  • Beach- bring swimsuits (2+ per week if you plan to swim every day), cover-up, sandals, towel, beach bag, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, sunhat

  • Ski trip- cold weather gear, ski goggles/skis, boots, etc.

  • Wedding- dress or suit and shirt, shoes, socks, belt, sweater or shawl, small handbag/clutch, card/gift

Toiletries:

• Hair:

  • Shampoo and conditioner- bonus if the whole family can use the same!

  • Other regularly used hair care (hair spray, dry shampoo, etc.)

  • Hair brush

  • Hair appliances you regularly use (hair dryer, etc.)- bonus if you are traveling with a friend and can each bring a different appliance you both use!

  • Hair elastics/headband

• Face/Body:

  • Face wash and lotion/cream

  • Body wash/soap

  • Makeup and brushes

  • Body lotion

  • Sunscreen and bug spray (if appropriate)

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss

  • Razor

  • Deodorant

  • Nail files or clippers

• Other:

  • Current medications and any rescue medications (epi pen, inhaler)

Babies:

• Clothing:

  • Two outfits per day, 3 pairs of pajamas per week- more if there are frequent leak throughs or if no access to washing machine

  • Seasonal:

    • Bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, beach tent

    • Snowsuit, mittens, hat

• Sleep:

  • Pack n play or other sleep area, at least 2 crib sheets (if needed)

  • Pacifiers (if applicable)

  • Lovey or blanket

  • Sound machine

  • Baby monitor

• Eat:

  • Bibs, spoons

  • Baby food, formula (if applicable)

  • Travel high chair or booster

  • Burp clothes

  • Sippy cups or bottles

• Play:

  • Play mat or blanket

  • Small toys

• Diapering:

  • Diapers- calculate how many you typically use per day and bring an extra 1-2 per day

  • Think about whether you would be able to ship ahead or buy diapers at your travel location

  • Changing pad or towel

  • Wipes

  • Diaper cream

• Travel:

  • Carseat

  • Stroller (if needed)

  • Baby carrier (if applicable)

• Other:

  • Any current medications

  • Consider bringing baby Tylenol, if you use it

  • Phone number of doctor

Toddler/Kids:

• Clothing:

  • One outfit per day, plus 2-3 extras depending on the age of the child and the activities

  • One pair of underwear per day, plus a few extras (many extras for the newly potty-trained!)

  • Pajamas- 1-2 pairs per week

  • Shoes: sneakers, sandals or boots, water shoes, etc.

  • Seasonal:

    • Bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, beach tent

    • Snowsuit, mittens, hat

• Sleep:

  • Toddler bed and sheet, if needed

  • Lovey and blanket

  • Sound machine and baby monitor, if appropriate

• Eat:

  • Bib, if needed

  • Special snacks

• Play:

  • A few small toys that have multiple uses- ball, building tiles or blocks, doll, small figurines

  • Seasonal- beach toys, beach ball

• Diapering (if applicable):

  • Diapers- calculate how many you typically use per day and bring an extra 1-2 per day

    • Think about whether you would be able to ship ahead or buy diapers at your travel location

  • Changing pad or towel

  • Wipes

  • Diaper cream

• Travel:

  • Carseat or booster

  • Stroller (if needed)

• Other:

  • Any current medications

  • Consider bringing Children’s Tylenol, if you use it

  • Phone number of doctor

There you go! Hope that these packing list jumpstarts help you on your summer journeys.