You do not have to check bags when traveling as a family with kids. No extra baggage fees. No precious vacation time spent waiting at the carousel. And forget the very real possibility of lost luggage.
Trust me: It is possible for you all to fly with just carryons, even for a week-long vacation. I’ve done it since my kids were preschoolers.
Here’s what I’ve learned from all of those years spent traveling with hubby and my two kids.
Is It Really Possible to Pack Light with a Family?
Yes! If you’re flying with a family, say two adults and two kids, that equals four possible carryons. That means you beat the baggage fees and can still have everything you need for a week’s vacation. Really.
The key to packing light is teaching kids to pull their own weight. Kids as young as 4 can push a small lightweight four-wheel carry-on like this one. Even preschoolers are used to wearing backpacks. Pack them with the supplies the kids will need to stay happy before, during and after the flight, from iPads to coloring books and snacks. (Travel is NOT the time to be stingy about electronics. Be sure they’re fully charged to avoid mid-movie meltdowns.)
Treat your teens like adults and let them pack their own stuff, strictly enforcing the carry-on only rule. If you’ve got tweens, they need a little extra TLC. See the section on tweens at the end of the post.
That frees up your backpack for carrying the boarding passes and passports, everyone’s prescription medications, and anything you will want to have during the flight, such as an eye mask, headphones, water bottle and cashmere wrap.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Start with the right suitcase! Choose one of the best luggage brands that are lightweight, durable and stylish.
It’s All About Packing Smart
Everyone who buys a ticket is entitled to board with one small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you and one carry-on that fits in the overhead bin. (Yes, if you happen to be the last person on board, there’s a chance the overhead bin space will be full. If that’s the case, you’ll have to gate-check your bags. While there is always a risk the bags will get lost in transit, the good news is that you won’t be charged the checked bag fee.)
Here’s how to make the most of all of that luggage space.
1. Wear your heaviest stuff on the plane — jeans, hiking boots, bulky sweater, puffy coat. It will save room in your carry-on luggage and keep you warm on a chilly flight.
2. Pack several thin layers for warmth rather than one bulky thing.
3. Invest in compression packing cubes like these from Gonex.
4. Plan what everyone will wear to ensure every piece of clothing can do double or triple duty.
5. Pack detergent pods or Woolite in case you need to wash something during the vacation.
6. Limit everyone to packing one pair of shoes and one pair of flip-flops or sandals. That’s it. With the pair on your feet, that makes three, which should be plenty for a week away.
Carryon Packing Checklist
There are two parts to this:
- The carry-on bag
- The personal item
We’ll tackle each one separately.
Carryon-Only Travel Packing List
This is where you want all of the stuff you’ll need at your destination. It might include any of the following, but not all. Obviously, if you’re going somewhere cold, you’ll want a warm hat and gloves. If you’re headed to the beach, pack a sun hat instead.
Clothing for adults
- Underwear
- Socks
- Bra
- Pajamas
- Dress shirt
- Casual shirts/T-shirts
- Pants/jeans
- Shorts
- Dress or skirt
- Sweater or sweatshirt
- Swimsuit/cover-ups
- Rain jacket
- Sun hat
- Warm hat & gloves
- Scarf
- Dress shoes
- Flip-flops or sandals
Clothing for kids
- Underwear
- Socks
- Pajamas
- T-shirts
- Pants/jeans
- Shorts
- Sweater or sweatshirt
- Swimsuit
- Rain jacket
- Sun hat
- Warm hat & gloves
- Scarf
- Flip-flops or sandals
Toiletries
Remember to limit liquids such as shampoo and lotion to TSA-friendly 3 ounces or less. Put them in a quart-size plastic bag to lessen the hassle when you go through security.
- Brush and/or comb
- Soap
- Sunscreen
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Razor
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Shampoo & conditioner- Shampoo bars are super travel-friendly and kids love them.
- Moisturizer
- Makeup
- Band-Aids
- First-aid ointment
- Insect repellent- select wipes so that they don’t have to be included in your liquid ziplock
- Pain relievers
Extras to Pack
- Small purse
- Foldable tote or daypack
- Dry bag
- Binoculars
- Waterproof pouch for cell phones (critical if you’re planning a beach vacation)
What to Pack in Your Personal Item
First, think about what kind of “personal item” you want to take. I know most people (me included) choose a backpack. It can carry a lot and it’s great for hands-free travel when you’re also wrangling kids and their carryons. Others prefer a big cloth bag like this one because it’s flexible and can be tucked under the seat, but can easily be pulled out and zipped open to see everything inside.
Whatever personal item you choose, here’s what to pack inside:
- Costume jewelry (leave the expensive stuff at home)
- Passport/visa
- Copies of important travel documents
- Identification
- Credit cards (bring two, just in case)
- Cell phone
- Boarding pass/tickets
- Medical insurance card
- Electronics chargers
- Extra power supply
- Power strip
- Itinerary
- Travel insurance card
- Power converter
- Wallet
- Prescription medications (2 times as much as you’ll need, just in case)
- Cash
- Earplanes (indispensable when you’re flying with a head cold)
- Ear plugs
- Eye mask
- Headphones
- Tide stick stain remover
- Lip balm
- Motrin
- Benadryl
- Hand sanitizer
- Clorox disinfecting cleaning wipes for cleaning the germy spots on the airplane.
- Inflatable neck pillow
- Baby wipes for cleaning little hands
What to Pack in Your Kid’s Personal Item
- Chewing gum or hard candy to help with their ears on take-off and landing
- Snacks
- Travel games
- Favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Kids’ Kindle Fire HD, iPhone or iPad for watching movies, with charger
- Headphones for listening without disturbing other passengers
- Hand sanitizer
- Bubble Bum inflatable car seat
Special Considerations for Tweens
You’re the best judge of your tween’s ability to pack their own bags. Even the most independent tween will still likely need a bag check to make sure there’s adequate underwear. The most important items will be the holy trinity: cell phone, charger and headphones. And, girls definitely need to pack the essentials, just in case that time of the month arrives unexpectedly. At a minimum, remind them to pack, in a very accessible location:
- Feminine products
- A pair of extra panties and pants
- Ziploc baggy (just in case)
