Packing Smart for Family Adventures
When Roman was tiny and we were planning our first big trip, I packed like I was moving house. Three enormous suitcases for a week away. Absolute chaos.
Fast forward to now, and my little adventurer has stamped his passport in 12 countries before he even hit 12 months old. I’ve learned a thing or two about packing efficiently for family travel (mostly through spectacular failures, if I’m honest). So here are the best packing hacks for travelling with kids that have genuinely saved my sanity on the road.
Packing Essentials: Getting Organised Before You Travel
1. Create a master packing list on your phone or use my FREE baby travel checklist.
Duplicate it for every trip. Simple!
2. Pack a separate “first 24 hours” bag
Your suitcase might get lost (sorry, but it might). Having nappies, a change of clothes, and snacks in your carry-on is non-negotiable.
3. Use packing cubes religiously
I resisted these for ages thinking they were just extra faff. They’re not. Roman’s clothes go in one cube, mine in another. When he inevitably spills something, I’m not rifling through chaos.
4. Roll, don’t fold
Rolling saves space and somehow things wrinkle less. I can fit twice as much in now.
5. If you don’t have packing cubes, pack outfits in ziplock bags
If you’re organised enough, pack one complete outfit per bag (top, bottom, socks, underwear). Label them “Day 1,” “Day 2,” etc. Sounds extra but when you’re tired in a hotel room, you’ll thank me.
Smart Clothing Packing Tips for Kids
6. Stick to a colour palette
Everything Roman wears can mix and match – blue, white, grey, and a pop of yellow. Makes packing lighter because everything goes with everything.
7. Pack layers, not bulky items
Three thin layers beat one massive jumper every time. More versatile and takes up less room in your luggage.
8. Bring double the tops
Roman can go through three tops before breakfast. Pack accordingly.
9. Limit shoes to two pairs max
One pair on feet, one pair in bag. That’s it. They’ll survive.
10. Use compression bags for bulky items
Coats, hoodies, anything puffy – vacuum bags are the best. I can pack Roman’s winter coat flat as a pancake.
11. Bring a laundry bag
Or just a spare tote bag. Keeps dirty clothes separate which makes things super easy when you come to unpack.
12. Forget the fancy toddler outfits
You’re on holiday with a toddler – when is he/she realistically wearing that? Roman lives in comfortable, washable stuff and sleep suits for evening.
How to Pack Toiletries and Baby Products for Travel
13. Decant essentials into travel-size bottles
Those massive bottles of baby wash? Leave them home. Get yourself some 100ml bottles and refill them. So much lighter.
14. Buy other toiletries abroad
Why take it all? Just buy it there.
15. Bring a wet bag for toiletries
When bottles leak (and they will), at least it’s contained. Also brilliant for wet swimsuits.
16. Have a medicine bag
Have it easily accessible at all times! You never know when teething will strike!
17. Pack a small first aid kit
Plasters, antiseptic cream, thermometer, tweezers. I’ve used mine in literally every country we’ve visited.
18. Bring your own baby wipes
Foreign wipes nearly always give Roman a rash. Pack your trusted brand or deal with a rashy bum face situation.
19. Travel-size hand sanitiser on your bag strap
Keep it clipped where you can grab it. Toddlers touch everything. Everything.
Those paper ones are gold. Airport changing tables are grim. Just bin it after and move on.
Food and Snack Packing Hacks for Travelling with Children
21. Pack more snacks than you think you need
Then pack more again. Flight delays happen. Toddler meltdowns happen. Breadsticks prevent both.
22. Bring an empty water bottle
Fill it after security. Buying water in airports is daylight robbery.
23. Pack a collapsible bowl and spoon
These silicone ones fold flat. Perfect for when you need to share your meal or they’re being fussy.
24. Bring familiar snacks from home
Roman’s beloved rice cakes did not exist in Zanzibar. Pack the favourites.
25. Ziplock bags for everything
Opened packets, half-eaten bananas, discovered treasures (rocks, leaves, mysterious sticky things). Ziplock everything.
Fill them with yoghurt, purées, or smoothies. Way cheaper than buying those squeezy pouches and less waste.
Entertainment and Comfort: Keeping Kids Happy During Travel
27. New small toys for the plane
I bob to Poundland / order from Amazon before every flight. Cheap toys they’ve never seen before is 20 minutes of peace. Worth every penny. Pack squishy toys, pop-its, or textured balls that serve double duty as both entertainment and regulation tools for big emotions.
28. Download offline content on your tablet
Netflix, Spotify, Amazon kids – download it all. Airplane WiFi is rubbish and you will need Blippi for assistance.
29. Pack a comfort item
Roman’s mr fox goes everywhere. Familiar smells and textures help with sleep in new places.
30. Don’t bother with a portable white noise machine
Just use an app on your phone.
31. Sticker books are lightweight gold
Hours of entertainment, weighs nothing.
32. Pack a small nightlight
Strange dark rooms are scary. A little USB nightlight makes hotel rooms feel safer.
Travel Gear: Essential Items for Smooth Family Trips
33. A lightweight, compact stroller
Forget the massive pram. Get something that folds tiny and you can gate-check. We love the joolz aer!!!
34. Bring a toddler carrier
Cobblestones, stairs, crowded markets – sometimes wheels don’t work. Roman still goes in the carrier when needed.
35. Pack a portable changing mat
The foldable ones with pockets. Changing station in a pinch anywhere.
36. Don’t skip the SnoozeShade
This is brilliant for sunny days. Roman sleeps so much better when the pram is actually dark plus it protects against mosquitos!
37. Door stoppers or outlet covers if needed
Depending on your kid’s age and chaos level, take these! These are fantastic.
38. A lightweight travel cot and sheet
Hotel cots can be fine or they can be awful. And the bedding can be weird. We just love the bugaboo stardust. Pops open in one second! One! Bring your own familiar sheet and sleeping bag.
Final Packing Tips for Stress-Free Family Travel
39. Take photos of your packed bags
Before you close them up. When you’re wondering if you packed something, just check the photo. Also helps with insurance claims if bags go missing.
40. Leave space in your suitcase
You will buy stuff. Souvenirs, emergency clothes because someone had a poo-splosion, random toys. Leave room.
Practice Makes Perfect
You’ll never get it completely right. There will always be that one thing you forgot or something you packed too much of.
After 12 countries with Roman, I’m still learning. But these hacks have transformed us from hot-mess travellers into slightly-less-hot-mess travellers.
The key is being flexible, staying organised, and remembering that worst case scenario, you can buy most things when you get there. Except your child’s specific mr fox. Definitely don’t forget that.
Want more family travel tips? Follow along as we continue exploring the world with Roman. Next stop: France 🎿
What’s your best packing hack for travelling with kids? Drop it in the comments – I’m always looking to level up my game!
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