Vacation Packing Checklist & Family Travel Tips

Vacation is delightful, but packing bags for the whole family is hard work. And vacation is most delightful when everyone remembers to pack a toothbrush and underwear. Use this vacation packing checklist and family travel tips guide to make quick work of packing up the family so you can get on to vacation (without getting smelly breath or doing laundry every day).

(Not ready for the packing stage yet? Check out Cozi’s Vacation Planning Checklist if you’re just starting to think about your vacation.)

Why You Need a Packing Checklist Before Your Trip

A vacation should feel exciting, not stressful. That’s where a vacation packing checklist makes all the difference. 

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer trip, having a clear family vacation packing checklist helps ensure nothing important gets left behind. From clothing and toiletries to travel documents and kids’ essentials, a well-organized vacation packing checklist keeps everyone on track and saves time during busy pre-trip days. 

It’s one of the simplest but most effective family travel tips for starting your vacation feeling calm and prepared.

How to Use Cozi to Plan & Pack for Your Vacation

Cozi turns a packing checklist into an organized plan for the whole family, and it’s way easier than doing it on paper. You can all access it simultaneously from your own devices, make updates that everyone can see instantly, add items to any section, and move items around. 

Start by creating a shared family vacation packing checklist in the LIsts section of Cozi, then customize it based on your destination, weather, and activities. Now everyone has equal access to the family trip packing list, so you can add items and check them off.. If you grab the boys’ flip-flops, your partner won’t go hunting for them under the couch. Nothing gets missed and no one has to ask, “Did you pack that yet?”

You can also use the Cozi Calendar to go beyond packing by adding reminders and pre-trip tasks, like laundry, pet care, or last-minute shopping. 

Check out the Cozi Features Overview

Vacation Packing Checklist

CLOTHING

• One casual outfit per day of travel (up to 4) per person
• One dressy outfit
• One sweater or jacket (depending on weather)
• Underwear, delicates
• Socks
• Pajamas
• Swimwear
• Belt
• Coat / Hat / Gloves / Scarf

TOILETRIES

• Comb / Brush
• Deodorant
• Shampoo / Conditioner
• Hairstyling products
• Soap / Face wash
• Hand sanitizer
• Toothbrush / Toothpaste / Floss (don’t forget the kids’!)
• Makeup
• Razors
• Shaving cream
• Lotion
• Glasses / Contact lens supplies
• Sunglasses
• Personal hygiene supplies
• Sunscreen
• Nail clippers

MEDICATION

• Aspirin / Pain reliever
• Cold medicine
• Prescriptions
• Antacid

ESSENTIALS

• Credit / Debit cards / Cash
• First aid kit (travel size)
• Camera / Charger
• Pillow case
• Towel(s)
• Umbrella
• Everyday bag (for carrying day items)
• Electrical converter (if traveling outside the country)
• Travel alarm / Watch
• Laundry bag
• Cell phone / Charger
• Laptop / Charger
• White noise machine
• Nightlight
• Favorite plushie or comfort object

DOCUMENTS

• Tickets (airplane, train, bus, museum, etc)
• Itinerary
• Reservations for hotel / Car rental
• Hotel address
• Passport
• Identification
• GuidebooksTravel journal

ENTERTAINMENT

• Toys
• E-reader / Charger
• Notebook / Pencils
• Travel size magnetic board for drawing
• Playing cards
• Board games
• Books
• Handheld electronic games
• Coloring / Activity books / Crayons / Markers
• Snacks

See more shopping lists and checklists in the Cozi List Library.

(Many thanks to Jennifer Tankersley of ListPlanIt.com for sharing her packing checklist, which we adapted with a few tweaks and additions.)

Find out how other Cozi families organize their vacations and summers.

Cozi is the must-have family organizer app for busy families – easy to use and free in the app store. You’ll wonder how you managed your busy life before Cozi. Get the Cozi family organizer app today!