Depending on your style of travel, your chosen destinations and the time of year you are travelling, you can use this comprehensive packing list below to get your family organised for it's next holiday. I want to get you past the organising so you can look forward to your next family adventure...
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Essentials
Passport/s
Visas
Travel Insurance – If you have forgotten this click here for the best priced travel insurance
Travel documents and any pre-printed tickets
Itinerary – I find it easiest to type up an itinerary for myself with key booking numbers, contact details and dates and times of important information – easy cheat sheet to check as you go along without always pulling all your paperwork apart
Email scanned copy of all documents to yourself
Medications
ATM card and VISA or MASTERCARD credit card
Local currency cash – bear in mind the cheapest way to get cash is simply to withdraw cash from an airport ATM when you arrive at your destination (preferably one that your bank partners with for the cheapest option)
Camera
Chargers, batteries, travel charging port
Wallet
Sunglasses
Mobile phone – we never pay for International roaming on our phones but instead purchase inexpensive local sim cards once overseas – helpful for access to a data plan and maps to navigate your way around
Suitcase or pack
Day bag
First aid kit – lots of bandaids if travelling with kids! Other handy items in your first aid kits would include paracetamol, insect repellent, diarrhoea medications, hydration sachets, antiseptic cream
Don’t forget to check with your doctor for any travel vaccinations required
Parents Clothing (dependent on your destination)
Jumper
Warm coat and or rain jacket if you have enough clothes to layer underneath in cold climates
Beanie
Hat
Exercise clothing
Underwear, Bras, Socks
1-2 sets of nice going out clothes
Runners/boots/hiking shoes
Sandals/thongs
Tshirts/singlets/Long sleeved tops
Shorts/Skirts/Pants
Swimmers/rash vests
Pyjamas
Travel Accessories
Dry bags – great for keeping valuables dry during water activities
Refillable drink bottle
Travel adapter/s
TSA locks for bags
Small travel purse
Consider location specific travel needs eg. In Africa you will likely require a mosquito net and malaria tablets
General
Toiletries
Reading torch
Book
Tablet computer – lightweight and easy to travel with
Ear plugs
Beach towel
Suncream
Eco-friendly reusable shopping bag – easily rolls up in your luggage and perfect for shopping on the go for food supplies when travelling
Specific Packing for Kids
Snuggly toy – if you don’t mind the risk and fallout of losing it!
Activities (I keep this minimal) – card game, colouring in, sticker books, kid friendly camera
Items that match their age and development to enhance the experience. For example a trip to the Cook Islands may involve a pair of kids reef shoes and a snorkel and mask
Their own backpack – involve the kids in the experience of travel by allowing them to carry their own day bag
Diary - particularly older kids will love keeping a journal of their travel days which keeps them reading, writing and learning as part of the process
Specific Packing for Babies
Nappies
Wipes
Disposable bibs
Portable change mat or small towel
Baby blanket
Comforter toys
Suncream
Hats/beanies
Floor blanket
Travel cot
Cot sheets
Pram (either lightweight or travel buggy for bumpier terrain and activities)
Swimmer nappies
Portable high chair
Bottles
Sterilising tablets with container (easy to dilute these in the container to quickly and easily sterilise bottles in hotel rooms)
Bottle brush
Tissues
Formula
Sippy cup
Snacks/food – amount and type will depend on destination
Grobag/s
Any regular medications plus syringe - baby paracetamol is handy if your baby is teething
Nappy bags (odour eliminating)
Bath wash
Skin cream
Nappy cream
Just remember that there is nothing more inconvenient than over-packing when travelling with kids. There is so much to carry and juggle so do yourself a favour and pull everything out on the bed that you would like to take on your holiday. Then pause a moment and really question whether you need to take every item. In the end it is literally a weight off your shoulders to cull items and travel lighter and simpler.
Kids are able to adapt and be resilient when needed so what you deem a disaster if it is left behind rarely is in the grand scheme of things.
If you would like a downloadable pdf checklist please click here to subscribe for free to our updates and use this tickable form over and over again for your upcoming family trips.