Packing Essentials for Family Travel

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Can you believe it? After over a decade abroad, we still panic if we forget our mug on trips where bidets are as rare as unicorns! It's ingrained in our DNA to prefer the water-and-toilet-paper combo. Not exactly family talk, huh? Alright, let's move on to more refined subjects, but seriously, how could I forget a mug? So, to avoid future mishaps, I've started making a checklist for my travels—not just for me, but for the kids and occasionally my scatterbrained husband. Now with kids of different ages and genders, I am more meticulous than I was before, thanks to my list of packing essentials for family travel. Thank goodness I don't have a pet; otherwise, my packing list would be endless! But let's give credit where it's due: we're living in the age of convenience. From travel-sized shampoo to pocket-sized speakers, everything's been miniaturised for us jet setters. I must admit, there's a peculiar thrill I get from packing for a trip. Am I a bit nuts? Perhaps, but if you've ever walked a mile in my travel shoes, you'll understand!

Who makes a travel packing list? Ugh!

How often do we find ourselves fretting before a family vacation, worrying about traveling with kids? How many times do we double-check our packing list? Have we packed enough diapers? Should we bring a car seat? What if our picky eaters refuse to eat anything on the flight? What about their toys and books? And my favourite book? I was already half way through it, isn't my me time important too? Phew, my head is already starting to ache! 😣 People like me swear by travel packing lists. Call it OCD, call it crazy—I simply adore my lists. They keep me organized and make packing for any trip, in any weather, a breeze.

Traveling with kids is not the easiest but it’s not as monstrous as some make it sound. It is fairly easy to get on a great vacation with kids, if we are well prepared in advance. After all, it is what we know to do best as parents, take care of all the necessities and plan for calamities and hope that new hurdles don’t come our way.

I’ve travelled with my kids for a little over 7 years now and my first trip with my first born was when he turned 1.5 months old. It was a necessity as my sister was getting married and I had to be in Bangalore just after my C-section for the grand event. My doctor gave me the green signal and off I went with my little pumpkin on his first aeroplane ride of his life. The next trip was to Russia when he was a little over 7 months old and it was a breeze. We got even braver when we travelled with my 4-month old daughter to Kashmir and I must say it’s been one of our most memorable trips with both our kids in tow.

So having established credibility of traveling with kids since they were infants, I've become adept at swiftly and meticulously packing, without error even under last-minute circumstances. Below is my exhaustive list of essentials for any trip.

Most important

Travel documents 📄

You're not getting far without these, my friend. So, be sure to double-check these essential travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, boarding pass, and any necessary identification cards.

Driving licence

Thinking about driving overseas or renting a car for convenient navigation? Don't overlook your driver's license. In some countries, you might need an international driving permit, especially if driving is on the opposite side of the road or if it's a requirement. For instance, with a Dubai driver's license, we could easily rent a car and drive in Scotland. However, when my father tried to use his Indian driver's license in the Netherlands, he wasn't permitted to drive. Hence, he had to obtain an international driving permit before we could travel to the Netherlands.

Identification cards 🪪

Speaking from personal experience, within the EU, it's necessary to have your residence cards when traveling.Personal identification is a must for travel, varying by destination and citizenship. Also, IDs may be needed for flights, border crossings, hotel check-ins, and more.

Medical insurance

Based on personal experience, having travel medical insurance is incredibly important. In fact, many embassies or all, now require proof of medical insurance for visa processing. In the cases of both my and Sidd's parents, having travel insurance proved invaluable in providing coverage and financial protection when they visited Dubai previously and now while traveling to the Netherlands. You never know with unexpected medical emergencies while traveling. Furthermore, travel medical insurance can offer extra help like emergency medical evacuation and bringing you back to your home country if needed, ensuring you get the care you need no matter where you are in the world.

Currency 💵

I can't stress enough how vital it is to have some cash or the local currency of your destination when you travel. It can come in handy at the airport or when you need to pay for transportation to your hotel or to buy foodl. Keeping some local currency on hand just makes sense. Plus, airports usually offer the worst exchange rates, so it's better to find a currency exchange near your accommodation, where you'll likely get better rates than at the airport.

Nice to Have: Passport holder for passports

I got these adorable passport covers from a seller in Dubai, and I found similar ones on Etsy.com for a good price. I like how each one can be personalized for every family member. Plus, they've been really useful in protecting our passports from getting damaged or dirty, which I didn't realize before. They also have handy pockets where we can keep our boarding passes, credit cards, and other stuff when we travel. Link to purchase these covers -Passport covers by Etsy

Clothes

Here's a savvy tip: Organize your clothes according to the days and nights you'll wear them, as well as the expected weather conditions. This way, you'll know whether to pack extra clothes for hot summer days or mix and match layers for chilly winter outings.

For Winter

2 coats, one brown and one black to keep neutral colours or you can sport a colourful one too. 🧥
2 cardigans
Black/white/ brown coloured Polo necks
Couple of Sweaters/Hoodies/Jumpers
Woollen pants 👖
Thermal wear: I recommend the thermal wear from UNIQLO or Marks & Spencer. Personally, I rely on UNIQLO for all my thermal wear needs. UNIQLO's Heattech technology is my go-to choice for staying warm and comfortable in cold weather. UNIQLO's Heattech fabric is a cold-weather essential, using innovative fibres to trap body heat and create insulation. Moreover, it's moisture-wicking properties keep you dry and comfortable. I also have thermal wear which I picked up from Jaipur for my kids made of pure sheep wool and they have lasted many trips so far.
Caps/stockings/gloves/neckwarmers
Shawls
Woollen socks 🧦

For summer

Shorts
T-shirts/ shorts/pants/skirts to wear in the hotel room/airbnb
Long tees / tops/ T-shirts to wear out
Party wear/dresses/bling outfits
Pants 👖 /skirts /dresses 👗
Nightwear
Lingerie
Socks 🧦

For rain

Rain jacket 🧥
Waterproof shoes
Extra plastic bag - You'll require a waterproof bag to transport any damp clothing back home or to the next location if the swimsuits haven't fully dried. After learning the hard way, we now always make sure to have a waterproof bag on hand.
Extra shoes 👟 🥿

For a Swimming pool or beach

Bikini/Swim suit/trunks 👙 🩱
Flip flops 🩴
Swim caps: A lot of swimming pools, thermal spas and holiday parks in Germany and France have a mandatory requirement to wear swim caps for hygiene and safety purposes. I personally like it because it keeps hair out of the pool, reducing contamination. It's always better to carry caps along, otherwise you might end up paying for them at the pool venue.
Sarongs
Swim bag or plastic cover
Sunscreen lotion 🧴

Toiletries

Panty liners
Laundry bags: On my way back, I typically organize my bags into two categories: clothes that are still fresh and those in need of washing. For the latter, I always bring along cloth laundry bags. I bought these from Action and these are so awesome that I can carry them as it is without hiding them in my suitcase ;)
Mug: For many of us Indians, the hand jet is as essential as oxygen, but alas, in lands where toilet paper reigns supreme, we find ourselves in a state of deprivation. To avoid such situations, we unfailingly pack a mug wherever we go.
Toothbrush and toothpaste for adults: When I travel, I opt for bamboo ecological toothbrushes over electric ones to avoid the hassle of carrying chargers and ensuring they stay charged. I also bring along travel-sized toothpaste for convenience
Shaver: My husband always packs a shaver in his toiletry bag to maintain his suave look for evening dinners or impromptu work video calls during travel.
Razor or epilator:To avoid last-minute wardrobe dilemmas due to unwanted body hair, I always bring along my Braun Epilator or razors when packing for trips.
Shampoo/conditioner/body wash: It's crucial to bring your own toiletries while traveling, as hotel-provided products often lack quality due to cost-cutting measures. If you're not as particular, feel free to indulge in the hotel offerings.

Kids and Infants

Kids

Toys for kids - It's crucial for my kids to bring along their small toys for the plane trip and throughout their stay at the hotel. My son brings his ninja figures, coloring supplies, and pens, while my daughter brings her sticker books, coloring materials, and pens as well.
Lotion
Toiletries for kids like shampoo, body wash, bath oil, toothbrush, toothpaste.
Kids water bottles
1-2 Food containers
Sticker books
Colour pencils and colouring pads
Medicines
Crocs for beach/ pool
Swimsuits
Floats

Infants

Bath oil
Body wash
Medicines
Lotion
Changing mats
Diapers
Diaper bag
Thermos
Water sipper - Sippy cups that prevent leaks and spills are ideal for children of this age. Sometimes, it's not just the messy toddlers who spill, but also leaks from the diaper bag can be frustrating. Munchkin's Miracle 360° Cup is first sippy cup to address these concerns. It effectively prevents messes and promotes children's dental health. With its innovative design, children can drink from any point around the rim, simulating drinking from a regular cup. This aids in normal muscle development in a child's mouth and is incredibly easy to clean.

Available on Amazon on - https://amzn.eu/d/8E4X4l2

Sudo cream - For those unexpected and dreadful diaper rashes, especially during holidays, Sudo cream is a compassionate offering to parents, providing relief to their little ones from discomfort.
Waterproof diapers - I consider it negligent to allow infants and toddlers to enter the pool wearing only swimwear. To ensure hygiene and sanitation, it's crucial for parents to invest in swim diapers for their little ones, as accidents like poop or pee cannot always be controlled in the pool's water.

Kit

This kit varies greatly from person to person, but I'll share what's in my travel kit and the specific brands I use.

Face wash/Cleanser /face wipes - CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

I also make sure to have baby wipes on hand for wiping away sweat from hands and underarms, or to freshen up my face, as well as for cleaning up food spills on kids' clothes.

Toner - Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner
Moisturiser
Night cream - Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Cream
Day cream
Sunscreen lotion - Altruist Dermatologist sunscreen SPF 30
Make up - It's not obligatory, but if you're interested, consider keeping a compact makeup kit handy with your daily essentials such as foundation, eye cream, lipsticks, gloss, and mascara etc.
Perfume and

Shoes

Slippers 🩴
If winter, boots with fleece and boots which are either black or brown
If summer, sandals 👡 , white sneakers 👟
If party destination, stilettos, heels 👠, club shoes 👞
One ballet shoes for comfort 🥿

Bags

Bags are incredibly important, and especially after extensive travel experiences, I've finally perfected my bag setup. I find that carrying a medium-sized backpack containing essentials like a hairbrush, water bottle, wipes, and purse, along with a crossbody bag for easy access to my passport, boarding pass, IDs, and money, is the most comfortable and convenient option for me. Another key lesson learned from my past travels is that we often find fantastic souvenirs in new destinations, only to realize we lack sufficient space in our suitcases or bags to bring them back. As a solution, we now consistently pack a compact canvas duffel bag inside our suitcase, allowing us to unfold it and use it as an additional carry-on for all the shopping we accumulate during our trips.

2 Handbags crossbody 👜
Backpack 🎒
Extra bag for shopping 🛍️

Accessories

Pack these accessories and enjoy your trip with confidence and style!

As you get ready for your trip, remember to bring along these important accessories to make your travels even better.
A belt is not just stylish but also helps your clothes fit well, so you can explore comfortably.
Add earrings, necklaces, and rings to make your outfits look even nicer and more special.
Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun and also make you look cool. And don't forget a case for your glasses or sunglasses to keep them safe.
Use hair ties, bands, and clips to keep your hair neat and tidy while you're on the go.
Lastly, wear a hat to keep the sun off your face and make a fashion statement.

Utility

Mobile Phone
Phone chargers - For wireless chargers, Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charger 7.5W with Stand and Apple Watch Charger is the best choice and available on CoolBlue.
Laptop and charger
Socket adaptors for country - In an era where we heavily rely on our phones, laptops, smartwatches, and iPads, ensuring they're all charged is crucial. Despite the extensive use of these devices, major electronics companies have yet to include cordless chargers in their packaging. Consequently, the market for these chargers remains niche, and not everyone carries one. Therefore, it's practical to carry a universal adapter to ensure you can charge your devices anywhere. With an international travel adapter, you can seamlessly connect your electronic gadgets and chargers to outlets worldwide, ensuring you'll never have to grapple with compatibility issues again!
Keys and locks for bags
Travel water bottles
Travel pillows for long flights
Medicines in medicine case

Vitamins and supplements
Hair Straighteners
Earphones /Airpods

Car

Car chargers
Car phone holders
Car seats for babies and infants

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