Posted on June 8th, 2011
Written by Tracey C. Velt
Whether your heading to the beach for a few days of sun and fun, or to Europe for a cultural adventure, traveling with kids means stuff, lots of stuff. We thought about putting together a comprehensive checklist, but, really, there are a million of them out there (don’t worry we’ll show you where to find them!) Instead, we put together all the resources you need to get your travel groove on.
Pack It: Planes, Trains and Automobiles
The most important things you can bring on a trip all fit in one carry on—really!
Tip: Take one large backpack and fill it with necessities. Eliminate the toy clutter in your bag by having each child (age 4 and up) take a separate small backpack filled with toys and games.
For Your Backpack
- Extra outfit for each child
- Extra outfit for mom (at least a fresh top)
- Notebook and pen
- Medications
- Snacks: Think individual-sized peanut butter, carrots, string cheese and trail mix.
- A surprise toy, crafts or game
- Blanket
- Pacifier
- 3-4 diapers
- Bottle, formula
- iPad loaded with a few children’s books and a magazine or book for mom
- Headphones
- An iPhone, BlackBerry or Droid filled with fun travel games (see box for suggestions)
- Camera
- Camera Cord so you can upload pictures to your iPad and avoid using all of your memory.
For the Kid’s Backpacks
- Travel games
- Coloring books, crayons
- Lovey or stuffed animal
- Small toys
- Books
- Travel brochure and map-Kids love to see where they’re going!
Check it Off: Checklists and Resources
- Baby Pack & Go, Pack & Go and Pack & Go Deluxe Family Edition Apps. These iPhone apps allow you to create and manage travel to-do lists and packing checklists on the go. www.babypackandgo.com
- Travel Mamas. Download travel checklists, find equipment rentals and get tips for traveling with the family at this everything-but-the-kitchen-sink website. www.travelmamas.com
- TSA Traveling With Kids. This official Transportation Security Authority (TSA) site is hock full of everything you need to know about flying with children, from what car seats are acceptable on board to how much breast milk you can carry on. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm
