Packing with Kids

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Packing is an art. Pack too much and you’ll wear yourself out just getting to your destination and spend too much time re-packing each time you change locations. Even worse, you’ll have no room to bring things home with you! Forget a few important items and you'll spend the first day of your trip running around trying to find them

Wherever you go, they will have kids, and the stores will sell products that kids need. While you might not want to spend tons of time tracking down everything your child needs, it can be fun to discover new products that aren’t available at home.

Essentials List for Travel with Kids
Special Items for Roadtrips with Kids
Optional Items for Longer Trips with Kids
Airplane Carryon for Babies Toddlers and Kids
Packing Checklist for Breastmilk Pumping When You Travel
Tips for Travelling Light

Comments

  1. Jessica Narace

    July 5, 2008 at 8:05 a.m.

    I am preparing to fly with my 15 month old daughter for the first time soon and LOVE your website. I like to think, re-think, then plan, re-plan, etc. when preparing to go anywhere with my daughter. My husband will not be taking the trip, so I'm a little nevous...first time and alone! :) I have been using your packing guide and checking out gear, toys, etc. I found some nesting cups that have a little extra bonus. They are by munchkin and you can find them a Target, Wal-mart, Babies-r-Us, etc. They can hook together and become a caterpillar. Munchkin also makes a little diaper dispenser (not that duck that doesn't clip onto anything) but looks like a part of any bag and clips on for easier carrying/finding. I have also used (in a lot of car trips when she was younger) this blow up duck bathtub. It rolls up to the size of a rolled up t-shirt and comes with a hand pump that takes up about the same amount of space. It's priced great and bonus, it makes duck noises when you squeeze the beak. I have one question, though, have you tried the Zooper hook on high chair? Do you know how it compares to yours? I will be by my lonesome and would like the easiest packing and hooking on.

  2. Debbie

    July 8, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.

    I'm sorry, I haven't tried the Zooper. It looks like it might work with a wider range of table widths than the Phil and Teds, but it also looks a lot less compact.

  3. Kari

    July 10, 2008 at 8:42 p.m.

    Hello, We are traveling with our 11 month old son to Europe next week and will be abroad for 2 weeks. I am concerned about his sleep schedule and your advice was helpful. I have not been able to find any information about what to do about milk for the flight. He has just transitioned (on his own) to cow's milk. Do you know if that is acceptable to bring through security or do most airports carry whole milk after security? Also, he decided he didn't want to eat baby food any longer, but is still learning on soft foods - ww bread, cheese, ww crackers, etc. Do you know if I could pack unopened lunchables or similar through security? What do I do?

    We are packing our Britax carseat, but have reserved the britax seat aboard the British Airways. Any advice with what is best practice?

    Thank-you so much for taking the time to blog and help other new mom's. It is VERY appreciated.

    Kari

  4. Debbie

    July 11, 2008 at 7:23 p.m.

    Technically you can probably bring the milk through security by saying it is "baby milk", but it is easier to buy it after the checkpoint. You don't say what airport you are flying from, but Starbucks usually sells shelf stable milk boxes (which means you don't need to keep them cold). If there is no Starbucks, any coffee shop and many of the other restaurants will sell you milk.

    If your son will still drink formula, bring a couple of individual sized powdered formula packets in case of "emergency"

    You can bring any food you like as long as it is not gel based or liquid (and you can bring baby food in "reasonable quantities." bread, cheese, o's and bananas all make good choices.

    With the car seat, the BA Britax seat is not a true car seat, and your son will not be able to sit in it during takeoff, landing or turbulence (it does work well for sleeping though). The best practice is to reserve a seat for your son & then seat him in his own seat, but that is expensive. You can also call ahead on the day of flight and find out how full your flight is. If it is not full, you might try bringing the britax to the gate with you and checking it only if you cannot get an empty seat for your son.

    Checking car seats can be risky, and the best way to protect your seat is to package it in its original box. If you cannot do that, put it in a sturdy bag, and mark it "Fragile"

    I hope this helps,
    Debbie

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