Sometimes packing for a family trip can be so much effort, you're tempted to just stay home.
Hopefully, the packing list below will help.
Packing List
Money, documents
- credit and debit cards
- picture id
- passport or other id if needed. (If kids are leaving the country with only one birth parent, a document authorizing their travel might be needed--
read more.
- health insurance documents
- travel insurance documents
- vaccination documents, if needed
-membership cards: AAA; Disney Club; etc.
- airplane tickets or confirmation number
- car reservation number
- coupons for hotels, car rental, etc.
- directions to hotel(s)
- itinerary
- address book
For planes and cars
-
stuff to amuse the kids
- snacks and drinks
- any medication that might be needed. (For ex., my son sometimes has
ear pain on planes.)
- lip balm, skin lotion-- planes are dry!
-motion sickness preventatives for car trips
Toiletries and health items
-tooth paste, toothbrushes, dental floss, in a ziploc bag
- shampoo, conditioner, gel, etc.
- shaving gear
- contact lenses paraphernalia
- glasses
- skin creams, makeup
- nail clippers
- tweezers
- ear plugs
- foot powder
- lip balm
- ear plugs
- sleep aids
- bandaids
- moleskin for blisters, elastic tape, scissors
- children's medicine for fever, colds, etc.
-allergy kit, if needed
-feminine hygiene products
-prescription medicines
-birth control
-vitamins
Beachgear
-swimsuits (two per person)
-sandals
-aqua shoes
- goggles, face masks, snorkels
- waterproof disposable camera
- sunhats
-sunglasses
- lip balm with sunscreen
Outdoors gear
- insect repellant
-afterbite, for insect bites
- good shoes for hiking
- layers of clothes, especially fleece
- socks that will "wick" (draw moisture away from the skin)
-blister kit: i.e. moleskin, elastic tape, scissors, bandaids
- wool hat and gloves if the weather is chilly
-rain gear
Theme park gear
- blister kit (as above)
- good footwear. Some people recommend socks and sneakers, but in
hot Orlando we wear sandals, period.
- sunhats, sunscreens, lip balm
- bandana, to soak with water for a cool-down
-frozen juice packs, if you have a fridge
- water bottle
- water spritzer/fan gadgets-- usually available at Orlando
Walmarts for $5; or buy the expensive theme park versions.
-umbrella or poncho, if thunderstorms are expected
- camera, film, camcorder, etc.
- lots of snacks
Baby
Gear
- diapers, including lots for the plane trip in
case you miss a connection
- diaper rash cream
- changing pad
- ziploc bag for soiled clothes
- baby wipes
- receiving blankets (lightweight and soft)
- waterproof sheet
- car seat
- stroller
- backpack
- front-style baby carriers
-lots of clothes, even for the plane ride, and a change of clothes for
yourself on the plane, just in case.
-formula, juice
- bottles, nipples, bottle caps
- sippy cup
- snacks
- pacifiers if needed
- bibs
- baby food, spoons, bowl with lid
- lots of
amusements
technology
-cell phone (could work as a travel alarm too)
-cell phone charger
-digital camera
-camera and lots of film
-batteries for camera(s)
-digital recorder/camcorder, and batteries
- "personal radios": two-way walkie-talkies
miscellaneous
- notebook/journal
- guidebooks-- buy the best! It's a small investment.
- maps
-binoculars
-flashlight
-batteries
-needle, thread
-nightlight
-travel alarm clock
-calculator for foreign currency
-ziploc bags that actually zip: for toiletries, crayons, wet swimsuits...
-plastic food containers: pack with snacks to eat on
the plane; later, bring to restaurants for those occasions
when your kids won't eat their food (but will be hungry 15 minutes
later...)
-cereal! Save money and, more important, TIME, by having breakfast in your room. Powdered milk can be used in a pinch. Bring plastic spoons.
- wet wipes
-special wet-wipes for removing stains from clothes.
As for clothes: "traveling light" is great advice; I just don't find it applies to travel with kids. You're already carrying so much stuff, why scrimp on clothes? I prefer to bring enough that I never have to waste time doing laundry. But the choice is yours!
Tips: very useful for boys are pants that become shorts when
the bottom parts zips off
- bring lots of t-shirts including a few oldies that can be thrown
away
- even in a hot climate, bring a jacket or sweater: air-conditioned
restaurants can get cold.
Now that you're all packed, try to remember: this is a vacation!
