Thirteen things I take traveling when I go with my kids
Here is my Thursday Thirteen list of items I always pack when traveling with my kids, things I have found useful when taking my kids on the road. My two are 6 and 7, so our packing list has certainly evolved from when they were babies. And as they grow older, we look forward to even more changes. The list skews a little more towards airplane trips, but I think the list is also valid for car adventures too. Our most exciting packing achievement? For our trip in March to London and Paris, we took only carry on luggage – each of us had a roll-on suitcase and backpack!
In Letterman style, I will do my list backwards, saving the best for last:
13. Travel backpack with games, books and toys to keep them busy (check out the $1 bin at Michaels)
12. Refillable water bottles
11. Small first aid kit with band aids
10. Digital Camera (one for the adults and one for the kids)
9. Flip video recorder (so small it fits in my pocket)
8. Cliff Bars Z bars and other snacks
7. Guidebooks and reference materials for our destination
6. iPod (comes in very handy when you need a little quiet to think)
5. Journal or note pad to record our travel stories
4. Sharpie marker and resealable bags
3. Reusable compact shopping bag
2. A sense of adventure and willingness to take things as they come
1. The kids!
What is on your list of must-pack items when traveling with your kids?
Photo courtesy of MChew.
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14 Responses
Never leave home without a Sharpie! A thousand uses. I enjoyed this list.
Great list, my 33rd TT is up at 13 Muslim Greeting Cards – I noted the paucity of Islamic Greeting Cards at my local stationery store and so as a public service to Muslims in America, I offer the following 13 Shariah-Compliant Greeting Cards…
Sounds like you are prepared for everything! Happy TT!
I always have a Sharpie. As I have no children, I wouldn’t know – and the poodle goes to the poodle spa!
SJR
The Pink Flamingo
good for you you are sooo prepared just like mom’s need
Y’all are way ready!
Good list!
We always take some of their favorite good-night story books for a little piece of home and lots of extra plastic baggies for everything that inevitably gets wet. Happy TT!
Yeah, don’t forget the kids! LOL
Great ideas! Baggies are always on my list of things to bring!
#2 is so important! I used to be so busy trying to control the adventure that I wasn’t available to be the adventure to my boys and especially husband. Once I let go and just looked for the real adventure, our whole life changed. Thanks for these great travel tips!
My list is at http://www.audrakrell.com
Great list- thanks! I always mean to make a list when I’m packing to travel, but usually forget. I like # 2, but I agree- # 1 is pretty important!!
happy T13!
great list! the busy games are a must-have for us!
[...] Traveling with kids certainly requires more packing than traveling alone – but be careful not to overdo it. Get backpacks or mini suitcases that older kids can help with (even my 4 year old carries her own books and games in a tiny backpack in the airport). Do whatever you can to pack compactly, remembering that whatever you bring will probably have to be carried by you – and you alone – at some point in the trip. [...]
[...] Traveling with kids certainly requires more packing than traveling alone – but be careful not to overdo it. Get backpacks or mini suitcases that older kids can help with (even my 4 year old carries her own books and games in a tiny backpack in the airport). Do whatever you can to pack compactly, remembering that whatever you bring will probably have to be carried by you – and you alone – at some point in the trip. [...]