Quick answer
Reviewed · 2 min read
Pack for a family vacation by giving each child a small backpack with their own snacks and entertainment, keeping documents and medication together in one parent’s bag, and carrying a spare outfit per child. Bring passports for international trips, a consent letter if one parent travels alone with a child, and kid-size headphones.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- Bag
- One packing cube set per family member
- Climate
- Pack for the destination, plus chilly planes
- Dress code
- Comfortable, easy-on layers
- Don't forget
- Kids’ passports and consent letter if needed
The checklist
Tick items off as you go — your progress stays in this browser.
How do you pack for a family trip without overpacking?
Give each family member a color of packing cube so anyone can find anything. Plan outfits for half the trip if your hotel or rental has laundry, and remember that diapers, wipes and sunscreen are sold in most destinations.
Let older kids pack their own backpack from a short list: entertainment, headphones, a comfort item and a water bottle. Our guide to multigenerational family travel covers rooming, pacing and activities that work for every age.
What documents do children need to travel?
Every U.S. citizen, including infants, needs their own passport for international air travel. Passports for children under 16 are valid for five years and must be applied for in person, usually with both parents. Our U.S. passport guide explains timing.
TSA doesn’t require ID for children under 18 traveling with an adult on domestic flights, but airlines may ask for proof of age for lap infants. If one parent travels internationally with a child, CBP strongly recommends a signed letter of consent from the other parent.
What can kids bring through airport security?
TSA allows formula, breast milk, juice and baby food in reasonable quantities above the usual 3.4 oz liquid limit in your carry-on. Take them out of your bag and tell the officer at the start of screening. Strollers and car seats go through screening too, so collapse them early.
Frequently asked questions
Do kids need ID to fly within the U.S.?
Can I bring baby formula and breast milk through airport security?
Should I bring a car seat on a family vacation?
When do I need a consent letter for traveling with my child?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.