Packing list by age

A checklist that changes with your child's age. Tick as you pack.

Documents

Passport for the baby, checked against entry rules
Consent letter if one parent travels alone
Travel insurance details and emergency number
Vaccination record or a photo of it
Airline confirmation of the bassinet or infant ticket

Sleep

Sleeping bag or swaddle the baby already uses
Fitted sheet from home that smells familiar
Travel blackout blind or tape for the curtains
White noise on a phone or small speaker
Two comforters or pacifiers, one as a spare
Travel cot, if the hotel hasn't confirmed one

Food

Formula for the whole trip if your brand is hard to find
Bottles, teats and a bottle brush
Sterilising tablets or microwave bags
Puree pouches and snacks for travel days
Bibs, a spoon and a spill-proof cup
Muslin cloths, more than seems reasonable

On the move

Light stroller with a flat recline and rain cover
Soft carrier that packs into the stroller basket
Foldable changing mat and nappy bags
Nappies for the first two days, then buy locally
Two spare outfits in the day bag
Sun hat and a clip-on stroller shade

Health

Thermometer
Fever medicine your paediatrician recommends, with the dosing syringe
Nappy rash cream
Baby sunscreen, if your paediatrician says the age is right
Saline drops and a nasal aspirator
Any prescription medicine in its original box

Documents

Passport, checked for expiry against entry rules
Consent letter if one parent travels alone
Travel insurance details
Card with your phone number for the child's pocket
Photo of each passport saved offline

Sleep

The one soft toy they can't sleep without
Pyjamas and their own pillowcase
Night light for an unfamiliar room
Two bedtime books
Pull-ups or a mattress protector for night accidents

Food

Refillable water bottle with a straw
Snack box with compartments
Familiar snacks for the first two days
Wipes and a small pack of tissues
Foldable bib or a spare T-shirt for restaurants

On the move

Light stroller for long days and afternoon naps
Foldable toilet seat reducer
Spare underwear and trousers in the day bag
Rain jacket and shoes that survive puddles
Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Small backpack the child carries

Entertainment

Child-size headphones with a volume limit
Tablet with shows downloaded at home
Sticker books and a few crayons
Three small toys they haven't seen before
A ball or bubbles for parks

Documents

Passport, checked for expiry against entry rules
Consent letter if one parent travels alone
Travel insurance details
Hotel address written on a card in their pocket
Photo of each passport for age-based tickets

On the move

Their own backpack, packed by them and checked by you
Walking shoes already broken in
Rain jacket that folds small
Refillable water bottle
Cap and sunscreen
Swimsuit and a quick-dry towel

Food

Snacks for travel days and museum queues
Reusable snack box
Hand sanitiser and tissues
Chewing sweets for takeoff and landing

Entertainment

Book or e-reader
Headphones
Travel journal and coloured pencils
Card game the whole family can play
Tablet with downloads and a charging cable
Cheap camera or an old phone for photos

Health

Plasters and blister plasters
Fever and pain medicine your paediatrician recommends
Travel sickness remedy, if your doctor suggests one
Insect repellent suitable for their age
Any prescription medicine in its original box

Documents

Passport, checked for expiry against entry rules
Student or school ID for youth discounts
Consent letter if one parent travels alone
Travel insurance details saved on their phone
Hotel address and your number saved offline

Tech

Phone with a roaming plan or local eSIM
Power bank and charging cable
Plug adapter for the destination
Headphones
Offline maps of the city downloaded

On the move

Day bag they carry themselves
Comfortable shoes, already worn in
Rain jacket and one warm layer
Refillable water bottle
Swimsuit
Small amount of local cash of their own

Health

Their own toiletries bag
Sunscreen and lip balm
Blister plasters
Period products, if relevant
Any prescription medicine in its original box
Glasses or contact lenses, plus a spare pair

Entertainment

Book or e-reader for flights and queues
Playlists and shows downloaded before leaving
Deck of cards
Notebook or sketchbook
A say in the itinerary, agreed before the trip

Saved on this device only.

Family trip tools Destination finder Ticket budget Family travel guides

Famtripo

A city-by-city guide for families. We answer the question regular guides ignore: what can we do here with a 4-year-old, and what is a waste of time?

en pt es fr it

DestinationsLondon Paris Rome New York Tokyo Barcelona Amsterdam Lisbon Madrid Berlin Orlando Vienna Prague Copenhagen

By age0-2 · Babies and toddlers 3-5 · Preschoolers 6-10 · School-age kids 11+ · Tweens and teens Itineraries Guides Tools

FamtripoAbout How we check Privacy Contact