Wondering what things you should be packing for international travel with kids? Here are my absolute favorite items that you’ll find packed every time we leave for the airport. Also, check out all my packing fails and what I will now always leave at home.
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Entertainment
Yoto Mini
Perfect on-the-go screen free entertainment option when packing for international travel with kids. The Yoto is my favorite daily entertainment that also works amazing for travel days!
Amazon Fire Tablet
We have very minimal screen time on a regular basis but have zero limits on screen time for travel days – which makes it a game changer when traveling with small children. One time I asked my son what his favorite part of our trip was, to which he responded “shows on the airplane”… kids crack me up.
Headphones
Better for little ears, be sure to choose over the ear headphones instead of ear buds.
Travel Magnatiles
Our favorite travel toy for kids. Super compact with lots of possibilities. Our kids will mostly play with these at our destination not during our travel day.
Classic Coloring Books + Anti-Roll Crayons
I always throw in some coloring books and crayons (anti-roll so you aren’t picking them up off the floor every few seconds) for restaurant and apartment entertainment. But keep it simple. One coloring book per kid and a handful of crayons is plenty. Honestly, if we offer a tablet or Yoto on travel day, any other activity isn’t getting touched but these are great at our destination.
Travel Day
Blow Up Airplane Mattress
A literal lifesaver for long-haul flights – especially if you’re taking a red eye. When packing for international travel with kids, throw in an airplane mattress to give your kids more space to stretch their legs and actually lay down to sleep.
Tip: Unfortunately, some airlines do not allow these so make sure to research your specific airline before you blow these up on board.
Luggage Straps
Makes pulling a bunch of luggage so much easier. Attach all the suitcases and go.
Carseat Carrier
Stay hands free as much as possible when traveling with littles. A carseat carrier with backpack straps is necessary if you’re traveling with carseats.
Pro tip: Pack diapers, smaller travel carseats, and other large items like life jackets in the backpack carrier to save space in your suitcase.
Water Bottles
I always pack each kid their own water bottle – seems like anytime we’re “sharing” it’s the end of someone’s world plus you can never push them to drink enough water while traveling.
Snack Boxes
Endless snacks, need I say more? Snacks are the end all be all of travel day survival. You’ll always find my bag loaded with easy grab snacks and bento boxes full of protein to keep them full.
Technology
White Noise Machine
Essential for getting the babies to nap on the go. I love this for using while traveling and at our destination.
Portable Charger
You will not find me with a low battery on travel day. Packing a larger charging brick may be heavy but I find it more helpful to have multiple charges stored up especially with so many electronics around.
Universal Outlet Adapters
Packing for international travel with kids means you need to be prepared with multiple outlet adapters. Remember you’ll need adapters for each room if you need to set up baby monitors/sound machines/etc. I usually travel with at least three.
AirTags
While I don’t always AirTag my kids, I do always AirTag my luggage while traveling and on occasion I’ve been known to AirTag a child when it makes sense.
Tip: Use these air tag clips to easily hook them inside your suitcase or on a stroller. Use these air tag bracelets if you want to air tag your kids in busy areas.
Non-Wifi Baby Monitor
Easy for using in your hotel/accommodations without having to hook up to Wifi.
Transportation – Packing for International Travel with Kids
Lightweight Stroller
If you’re traveling internationally with kids and planning to bring a stroller (which I’m sure most are) I cannot stress enough the importance of choosing a lightweight, easy to manage stroller. If you’re heading to Europe (or really any older area for that matter) you will absolutely end up carrying your stroller up and down stairs at some point. A lightweight, easy to fold down and carry stroller is key. Choose a small umbrella or foldable single stroller or lightweight double, if needed.
- Favorite Single Travel Stroller: Mompush Single Stroller
- Favorite Double Travel Strollers: Jeep Double Stroller | Zoe Twin v2
Baby Carrier
If you’re packing for international travel with kids and have a smaller baby, plan to use a carrier over a stroller if you can. You’ll thank yourself as you walk on all that cobblestone. I have always lived with my babies on me for the first year of their life. After three kids, these are by far my favorite carriers that are also great for travel:
- Favorite All Positions Carrier: BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Harmony – front, back and forward facing. Can be a tiny bit bulky for traveling but I always wear it on travel day so I dont usually need to pack it. I love that you can do all positions with this one.
- Most Comfortable/Compact Carrier: Mabē Monarch Baby Carrier – Lightweight and easy to fold up. Great for front and back carrying.
- Favorite Back Carrier: Onbuhimo Back Carrier – Super lightweight and compact. Perfect for older babies that will always be on the back.
Travel Car Seats
When you’re traveling with babies and small toddlers, there’s no escaping the clunky carseat life but you can make your life easier by packing lightweight and travel friendly carseats. These are our favorite travel carseats for different ages:
- Baby Travel Carseat/Stroller Combo: Doona All-In-One Travel System – easiest all in one option so you can leave the stroller at home
- Baby Travel Carseat: UPPAbaby Aria Lightweight – can be installed with a seatbelt for travel
- Toddler Travel Carseat: Scenera Extend Lightweight Carseat – very lightweight for a convertible carseat
- Kid Travel Carseat: Ridersafe Travel Vest – easy to pack and install on arrival
- Kid Travel Booster: Hicapop Inflatable Booster – compact and easy to bring with for older kids
Organization
Backpack
I used to travel with a standard backpack – ya know big compartment, and a front pocket with a water bottle sleeve on the side. Then I switched to a Mary Poppins bag of zippers and compartments and wow. What a game changer to be able to easily access so many things without needing to open the main part of the bag. Also, having a full un-zip to get into the bag has made finding things so much easier – no more digging to the bottom of my bag! Packing for international travel with kids has never been easier than it is with this backpack.
Packing Cubes
A must IMO – not just for kids but adults as well. These will keep you much more organized (at least for the way there – I absolutely throw these cubes aside by the time we’re coming home).
Pro Tip: If you’re making multiple stops on your trip, consider using packing cubes to organize clothes for each stop so you don’t have to unpack as much during each stay. This has completely changed our travel flow when we’re only staying in places for a few nights before moving on.
Hanging Toiletry Kit
Takes up less space in the bathroom and makes it easier to find things you need.
What to Leave at Home
Excessive Toys
The number of times I’ve packed all sorts of toys thinking my kids are going to spend time at the apartment or hotel playing with them is probably one too many. I’ve finally learned my lesson – when traveling internationally, we spend evenings at our accommodations but the kids are almost always too tired to play much by then and in the mornings we’re too bust getting ready to leave for much play. Pack a couple tried and true items (classic coloring books + crayons, travel magnatiles, a few hot wheels or dolls and leave it at that).
Heavy Strollers
One time I brought a BOB stroller… for my one child… and let me tell you, I regretted it every day of our trip especially at the airport. Never again. Heavy strollers are just a nightmare when traveling – choose an umbrella stroller or lightweight double.
Too Many Clothes
Look I get it, kids are messy. They are always finding ways to make even the most mundane meals a lap mess but laundry is your friend. Usually with kids you’re heading back to your accommodations earlier in the evening anyway so throw a load in while you sip a glass of wine on the balcony. If you don’t have a washer/dryer, fill the sink and throw the kids clothes in with some travel laundry detergent.
Bulky Books
Yes, book time before bed is a sacred time. Find small, paperback, lightweight books that are compact. Don’t waste precious suitcase space for books and remember, most kids will be fine reading the same handful of books throughout your trip.
The Whole Medicine Cabinet
I’m definitely guilty of doing this on our first few international trips but then I realized that I’m usually traveling to a city with stores… meaning I can buy anything I need last minute. Unless you’re heading into the desert or somewhere more remote, you can keep your supplies minimal and not worry about packing for every ailment in existence. Stick to the basics and you’ll be fine.
Top Packing Tips
Pack Must Have Items in a Carry On
When I travel without kids I am a carry-on-only kinda packer. The number of times my suitcase has gone MIA is too many to count. I don’t like checking bags but with kids it’s obviously not as easy when they are little. When you have to check bags, be sure to keep a set of spare clothes, medications, formula, breast pumps, contingency diapers/pull-ups, and any other must have items in your carry on with you. You never know when you may not see your checked bag for a bit.
Consider a Quick Shopping Trip When You Arrive
Save that precious suitcase space and consider doing a quick stop at a local store to grab things that would take up a bunch of storage space like diapers. When traveling with two in diapers, the amount of suitcase space I needed to bring two sizes of diapers for two weeks was astronomical. A quick shopping trip gives you so much space back.
Bring Fewer, Larger Suitcases
I don’t ever pack each person in their own suitcase. I combine as much as I can and go for as few suitcases as possible. As a family of five, I can usually fit all of our stuff in two medium checked suitcases and one small carry on. I find this much easier to manage than five smaller suitcases.
Focus on a Capsule Wardrobe for Each Kid
Try and pack clothes that can easily mix and match – think neutral colors – so you can make multiple outfits from a minimal number of items. Focus on darker colors that don’t stain as easily so kids can get by re-wearing items if they didn’t get too dirty.
Keep it Simple
I know it can be hard to not bring a lot when packing for international travel with kids – and it almost seems like the younger they are, the more they need – but keep in mind that kids are entertained by boxes, keys, and plastic water bottles as much as they are fancy toys. Older kids can use their imaginations to make up games without needing a bunch of toys. Also, there are (likely) stores and sinks (for laundry) where you are going so don’t sweat overpacking. Try and keep it minimal and you’ll definitely thank yourself. I’m a minimal packer and I still get back with plenty of things we didn’t even need.
What to Read Next
- How to Manage Jet Lag with Kids
- Favorite Travel Gear
- Complete Guide to the French Riviera with Little Kids
- How to Get Around France with Kids: Trains, Cars, and Strollers
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