A Checklist of Clothes to Pack for Kids on a Vacation

Long travel days can make for a miserable experience if kids are bored or overtired. Most parents know what items best occupy their kids, so you’ll likely already have their favorites on your vacation checklist. If you’re flying you could rely on onboard entertainment, but the screens are often too cumbersome for kids to navigate.

“Have a tablet that you load up for the kids put their favorite apps on it, and download some videos so that they’re good to go with entertainment so you don’t have to rely on anything else other than what’s in their hands,” family travel expert Summer Hull suggested on The Celebrity Cafe YouTube channel.

When trying to figure out what to pack in your kids’ suitcases, you may wonder how much of each item you’ll need. Generally, two shirts for each pair of pants or shorts work best, but a capsule wardrobe — items of clothing that can be easily mixed and matched with each other — can also streamline your vacation planning.

“We first used a capsule wardrobe for our kids when we took them to Prague and Turkey and it was a game-changer,” wrote Jess Averett on her family travel blog, Bring the Kids. “Everything that the kids had needed to coordinate with everything else in their suitcase. For all of our kids, we used navy blue as the foundational color and built out from there.”

For your youngest traveler, packing bright-colored or patterned onesies is both stylish and efficient since a onesie is the perfect baby outfit. They can be worn alone in warmer climates and layered with other clothing items when temperatures drop. An added benefit to the onesie is that they’re often sold in sets with burp cloths; these can be used for their intended purpose, or as an added layer of protection on airplane table trays, in restaurant high chair seats or to quickly clean up spills while traveling.

Even if your vacation has no hint of a beach, pack a bathing suit for your kids anyway. You never know when there will be an occasion to run through sprinklers or take a dip in a swimming hole. A bathing suit also does double duty in some cases as an extra outfit layer or as a change of clothes after a potty accident.

Your child may have a pair of pajamas for every night of the week, but when you’re on vacation stick to one set of PJs. We all have a tendency to overpack, bringing more underwear and pajamas than necessary. Save room in your suitcase by leaving all of the extras at home. Pack one pair of pajamas (or maybe two if your child is young and you anticipate accidents) — and your child’s favorite lovey to cuddle — and you’re good to go.

The weather may read sunny and warm during your entire vacation, but plan for any sudden shifts in climate. A collapsible umbrella or some light disposable ponchos could be your best friend. “Disposable ponchos are lighter than packing a raincoat, and pre-packaged to save space,” says Lissa Poirot, editor of the website Family Vacation Critic. “It will also help to save money, so that you’re not forced to buy more expensive rain gear at an attraction.”

Even in the dead of summer airplane cabins can be cold, especially for children. Layering is the key to comfort when traveling. Of course you’ll want to include summer clothes for kids, but your vacation packing list should also include sweatshirts or hoodies. Cardigans work well too, if your child will keep it on. Convertible pants that can be unzipped to shorts are ideal when weather is unpredictable, and waterproof shoes like the Keen Whisper Sandal is perfect for hiking, theme parks or exploring a new city.

Roadschooling families like ours tend to make every family vacation into an educational experience. If you’re stumped on what to pack for kids when traveling to historical destinations like Colonial Williamsburg or theme parks like Walt Disney World, make it fun by bringing along some themed costumes. Disney is easy enough — there are plenty of characters to choose from and your child likely has a favorite. For vacations that younger children may deem boring, like living history musuems, consider packing some time-period costumes or accessories like a tricorn hat or bonnet to keep your littlest travelers engaged during longer tours and presentations.

We’ve all been there, standing in the bathroom sink hand-washing underwear or a t-shirt while on vacation. Remember, kids will inevitably get dirty and you may have to wash a few things by hand. Be prepared when you’re on the go with single-serve detergent strips or simply use the bar soap from the hotel room bathroom amenities.

There are several moving parts when planning a vacation with kids. From packing to figuring out what to do and how you’ll get around, it can be overwhelming. If you’re taking a road trip, check out our safety checklist and keep in mind it’s perfectly fine to splurge on your kids once in a while.

Finally, when planning what to pack for kids, don’t forget the car seat. Most recent guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — updated in 2018 — indicates that all infants and toddlers ride in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible Additionally, children under the age of 13 should sit in seat belts in the back seat of the vehicle. Visit the AAP website for additional guidelines to ensure your child is safe while traveling.