Don’t Forget to Pack… Beyond the Basics for Every Age!

0-2 Years: The Essentials for Tiny Travelers

This stage is arguably the most challenging to pack for due to the sheer volume of necessities. If you’re driving or have easy access to a car, you might get away with leaving a few things behind, but even then, the list is extensive!

• Diapers: Honestly, we often dedicated one carry-on-sized suitcase just for diapers! Consider how many you’ll need for travel days and the first day or two, then plan to buy more at your destination if possible. If not, make sure to pack more than you think you’ll need for your trip. Bonus: once the diaper suitcase is empty, you can use it for any souvenirs you buy!
• Baby Food & Feeding Supplies: This includes purees, cereals, bottles, sippy cups, and any specialized spoons or bibs. If you’re breastfeeding, don’t forget your own supplies like a pump or nursing cover.
• Portable Changing Pad: While you likely have one in your diaper bag, having a dedicated travel changing pad ensures you always have a clean, safe surface, especially in unfamiliar places where you might not want to lay baby down directly. If you know, you know!
• Extra Clothes (Lots!): Unless you have guaranteed, easy access to laundry facilities, pack more outfits than you think you’ll need. We once had an ill-fated trip to Washington D.C. where one of our kids went through five outfits in less than a day due to various spills and blowouts!
• Children’s Medicine (The Ultimate Lifesaver): Pack baby Tylenol and Motrin (check with your pediatrician for appropriate ages/dosages). Not every store carries these, and you may not have easy access to a pharmacy while traveling. If baby has a fever, sprouts a tooth, or gets an ear infection on the road, having this on hand can be a lifesaver for the whole family! (This is actually a critical item for every age group, so keep it in mind for all your future trips.)

3-5 Years: Navigating Potty Training & Comfort

Packing starts to get a bit easier at this stage! As kids grow, they don’t need all the same things they did as babies, but there are still some special considerations.

• Extra Clothes (Still!): This is often the age of potty training, and even once kids are trained, traveling can disrupt routines, introduce new foods, and lead to unexpected accidents. We definitely had to make an emergency stop on the way home from a road trip after someone got sick in the car and we didn’t have enough spare clothes!
• Favorite Stuffed Animal/Blanket: Young children often have that special lovey they’re attached to. While it might seem easier to leave it home, sleeping in a strange place can be scary for some kids. Familiar comfort items can make bedtime much smoother. Our kids actually chose one stuffed animal as their “traveling buddy” and always brought their regular sleep lovey during trips at this age.
• Snacks (Crucial for Keeping Hangry Away!): No one likes a hangry three-year-old – including the hangry three-year-old! Going to new places can mean new foods, and while we absolutely encourage our kids to try new things, we always have one who is much more adventurous than the other. Having familiar, comforting snacks on hand is a good idea to bridge hunger gaps and ease transitions.

6-10 Years: Emerging Independence

Children in this age group are beginning to become more independent but still rely on you quite a bit. Our kids are in this age group now, and they can entertain themselves more, tolerate a little boredom, and articulate their needs. However, they still need our help with certain things. They’ve started packing their own suitcases, but we still do a final check to ensure they haven’t forgotten anything and have enough clothes.

• Activities (Variety is Key): While they can manage some independent play, they still get bored during travel time (don’t we all!). Having a variety of engaging options (books, puzzle books, small craft kits, travel games) makes the journey go faster and helps reduce device time. Of course, devices still come in handy for long road or airplane trips.
• Chargers (All the Chargers!): Yes, at this age, we’ve reached the point where you need to bring not just your chargers, but all the chargers for all the devices, and then some more! It feels like there are never enough outlets or charging cords, so grab what you need and consider bringing an extra one for shared devices or emergencies.

11-15 Years: The Rise of Responsibility

By this age, most kids should be able to do the majority of their own packing. But a few reminders never hurt!

• Headphones/Earbuds: With more time spent on personal devices, this means more music, videos, and gaming and more sounds coming from devices. Ensuring your pre-teen/teen has their own comfortable headphones or earbuds can save everyone’s sanity by preventing unwanted noise bleed. This is especially important on airplanes but even in the car, it can make everyone’s trip better.
• Portable Power Bank: While chargers are important for at-home charging, a portable power bank is essential for teens who heavily use their devices. This can ensure their phone or tablet never dies, especially as they gain more independence and might be exploring nearby without you.

16+ Years: Embracing Adulthood on the Road

As children near adulthood, their travel needs align even more with adults, but with a few key considerations.

• Government-Issued ID (Driver’s License/State ID): As teens near adulthood, carrying their own valid ID is crucial. While not always strictly required for air travel (especially if flying with a parent), it’s often needed for other events, activities, or proving age for certain purchases.
• Personal Medications & Prescriptions: At this age, teens often manage their own medications. Ensure they pack all necessary prescriptions and any preferred over-the-counter remedies.
• Debit/Credit Card: If they have their own card, ensure they understand its use and keep it secure. If they don’t and may be spending time away from you on the trip, consider how they may pay for items. There are many travel destinations (theme parks, resorts) that have gone cash free and so having a card of some sort for payment is a good option.

Each age brings its own unique packing considerations. Making a list and ensuring you bring these age-specific essentials will help everyone have a smoother trip. The good news is that many common items can be easily picked up should you forget something. Hopefully, this post helps you think through some of the crucial items specific to your child’s age group that might be more difficult to obtain on the fly. Have an amazing trip and make some great memories! Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!