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Time to get your travel packing list ready! Knowing what to pack when traveling with kids is essential because wise preparation can really make or break a road trip—especially if it’s a long one. Make every moment of your family vacation count with our top 10 travel tips on what to pack when traveling with kids.

1. Snacks, snacks and more snacks!

Snacks may be the #1 thing to pack when traveling with kids. You can’t go wrong with too many travel snacks but a long car ride can be devastating if you run out! Long-lasting snacks like lollipops or dry cereal will help keep your child happy and preoccupied as they slowly get through their snack. 

Be careful with sugary snacks though. You don’t want your kiddo to get too amped up especially if he’s buckled up in a car seat and unable to run around. Make a point to pack healthy snacks too like carrot sticks, celery and peanut butter, apple slices, etc. If you have an infant, then plenty of baby food and milk is all you need.

2. Tissues and wipes

Tissues and wipes will come in handy, maybe more than you might think. Not only can tissues and wipes help clean up your kid’s faces and hands, but wipes, in particular, can help clean up car messes too. Wipes should be kept in their original packaging or in a sealed container so they don’t dry out. Tissues, on the other hand, are more convenient to bring along in travel-size packages or out of their original box and stored in sandwich bags. You never know what kind of messes will turn up on a road trip!

3. Medications

Don’t forget to pack necessary medications when traveling with kids! Check expiration dates before packing medicine to make sure they’re still good to use while you’re away. In addition, consider packing more essentials like a first aid kit, infrared (forehead) thermometer, and Lolleez (in case of a sore throat). If you’re not sure what your child may need, make a quick call to the pediatrician to confirm with them. 

4. A separate hotel bag

After you pack everything up for your trip, you want to avoid lugging all your bags up to a hotel room if you need to make a pitstop for the night. If you know you’ll be staying the night someplace before you reach your final destination, pack a separate bag specifically for the hotel. This should include pajamas, next-day clothes, bathroom necessities, and maybe a white-noise machine, stuffed animals, and whatever else you and the kids may need. If you’re not staying in a hotel, packing a “day pack” for the trip is much more convenient than scrounging through your bags.

5. Plastic bags

Whether you choose to bring trash bags or plastic bags, having these on hand will help keep the trash at bay and your vehicle clean. Snack wrappers, dirty diapers, and empty bottles can be kept in plastic bags to ensure you have a place for dirty stuff until you can throw it out or wash it at the next rest stop. Plastic bags also come in handy in the case of unsettled stomachs. It’s best that vomit goes into a bag than anywhere else in the vehicle, right? 

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6. Portable toilet or changing pad

If you’re wondering what to pack when traveling with kids who are in diapers or being potty-trained, packing a portable changing pad when traveling with kids can really come in handy. Whether you need to do a quick change in the car or during a rest stop, a portable changing pad will allow you to comfortably change your child without it feeling too “germ-y.” In addition, a portable toilet can also be very convenient. Rather than waiting to find a rest stop, you can pull over and have your child use their portable toilet instead. This helps keep potty training on track!

7. Blankets

If you’re due for a long-winded trip, a blanket for each child is worth bringing. Blankets may allow your child to feel more comfortable during long rides. They can also encourage napping, especially if they have a familiar favorite blanket from home. If you have the choice, a small-to-medium blanket will work better than a large blanket. Bringing a blanket that is too big may get caught up in your child’s feet and irritate them. 

8. A bag of interesting toys and books

Entertainment, of course, is key. The best type of entertainment to pack when traveling with kids is long-lasting entertainment. Whether it’s a detailed book (like a lift-the-flap), work or activity book, or a reusable boogie board, toys that get your child thinking and focused will help keep them occupied for a longer amount of time. If you have little ones, bring along a bag of toys but keep the bag with you so that you can periodically give your child a new toy (rather than them blowing through all the toys in a short amount of time). For a list of fun travel toys, click here.

9. Chargers and batteries for electronics

If electronics are coming along, chargers, cords and batteries are a must! Getting devices fully charged before the trip is the first step. The second step is to make sure the devices will work without an internet connection (if you won’t have one). Pre-downloading games and movies is a good idea if you won’t have access to WiFi or mobile data. In addition, a pair of headphones isn’t a bad idea if you want to keep the environment quiet…and not have to hear Peppa Pig for the 27th time! 

10. Socks or slippers

During long trips, children tend to kick off their shoes to feel more comfortable. To keep their toes warm, bring along a pair of socks or slippers for the car. This is also convenient if your child falls asleep and you need to carry them to your hotel room, for example. Rather than spending time putting their shoes on, you can carry them in while they wear socks or slippers.

Hopefully, now you know what to pack when traveling with kids! What are your must have items, tips or tricks when embarking on road trips with your kids? Let us know in the comments below.