Everything We're Packing For Our International Trip with Kids
If there is one thing I love, it is a good challenge. Packing for an international trip with 3 young kids—without checking any baggage is right up my alley of a good challenge.
We are off on a dream trip to Greece and Turkey. We’ll be hopping around different cities—taking a total of 10 flights over the next 2 weeks. The logistics are a bit crazy and we are determined to pack as light as possible for our adventures ahead.
Why? Because not having to check bags at the counter will save us time—especially when we have short connections between different airlines. Also, the cost of checking 2 bags on 10 flights would be pushing close to $400++ #nothanks. We would much rather spend that money on food and adventures.
I just finished packing and thought I would share some tips, tricks, and travel favs that made packing for our international trip with kids in just 2 carry-ons, and a few backpacks a breeze.
Here’s how I did it and what I packed.
The Prep
This is the most important step of packing lightly. My strategy for this usually starts about 10 days before our trip. Here’s what I do:
Step 1 Make a sticky note for each day we are traveling that says the date, where we will be, and any plans we have that day that may affect what we wear (ie: beach, hiking etc). Also indicate the day(s) you have the ability to do laundry.
Step 2 Set the sticky notes spaced out on a wall so they are all visible.
Step 3 Start making a grid with each child’s outfits for each day. Ex: Brody’s outfits will be row 1 under each sticky note, Isla’s outfits will be row 2, Luca’s outfits will be row 3.
Step 4 Indicate on the sticky notes any days that outfits will be reworn.
Step 5 Use gallon sized slider closure bags and place all of the kids outfits needed for that day in one bag. Squeeze as much air as possible out. Repeat.
Step 6 Use a sharpie and write the date on the exterior, also indicate the date these outfits will be reworn if you are planning to reuse them.
This is hands down the best strategy I’ve found for making sure you aren’t overpacking. It is also a game changer on the trip because all of the outfits are planned out and mom/dad/grandma/anyone can grab the bag for the day and make sure everyone is dressed and ready to go.
A Few Things To Note/Tips:
+I don’t pack underwear/socks/pajamas in the zippered gallon bags. I keep them in a compartment in the suitcase incase we need to grab them at any point during our travels.
+I only pack one pair of pajamas for my kids. I’ll wash them when we have laundry access, but they’re fresh out of the shower when they put them on so I just let them wear them a few days in a row to save space.
+I try to limit the number of shoes as much as possible. I pick a pair that is well worn in and multi-functional. For this trip, each kiddo only has one pair of shoes (the ones they’re wearing on the plane). For Brody it is a pair of Natives and for Isla and Luca it is a pair of Saltwater Sandals since both shoes work great wet or dry.
+We have an “airplane outfit”. We wear it on the flight there and on the flight home. If we have something bulky we are bringing, we wear it as our airplane outfit. For this trip, we’re all wearing sweatshirts to the airport. No room in the luggage for them and we’d like to have them for chilly nights on our trip. You can roll them up and they make a great pillow on the plane as well.
+Stay somewhere with access to laundry if possible! We rewear frequently on trips. Having an airbnb with laundry or a hotel that offers laundry service really cuts down on the number of things you have to bring with you.
The gear:
Having the right luggage can make a huge difference in how compact you are able to pack.
Carryon Suitcase : We bought new carry-on luggage from Amazon (a steal for the quality!). They’re awesome! We wanted a carryon suitcase that had a large zipper pocket in the front where we could easily grab items without having to open the whole suitcase. We’re storing the kids pajamas in the front pocket, so they can change into their pjs at the airport before our long overnight flight.
Backpack: After our trip to Arizona a few months ago, we discovered that the backpack we were using for travel was the ultimate black hole. It was so frustrating to find anything inside. We bought this $50 backpack from Target for this trip and I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s amazing. It has different sections, a big middle section that opens like a book, and it can slide over the top of a rolling suitcase. We’re using ours to hold all of our snacks, Luca’s entertainment, and entire package of diapers and wipes, chargers, headphones, travel docs and our laptop.
Fanny Pack: The Kibou Fanny Pack has the perfect layout for a mom. This is what I am bringing instead of a purse or diaper bag. I’m using it to store our passports, boarding docs, car key, my phone, kindle etc. It also has a removable diaper changing pad in the pack and a little first aide kit. I never thought I would say that I love a fanny pack, but this one is so well designed that I do.
Wet Bags: I keep our swimsuits packed in a wet bag incase we decided to swim right before our flight, we don’t have to worry about our wet swimsuits soaking everything in our luggage.
File Folder: I keep a file folder in our backpack with a printed itinerary that outlines EVERYTHING for our trip—-confirmation numbers, addresses for where we are staying, flight information, reminders, etc. I make the itinerary in google docs and share it with my parents so they know where we are if they need to reach us. Having the printed itinerary always comes in handy since I can just show the address to a taxi driver or locate a confirmation number even if I don’t have cell service.
The carseats
We are bringing carseats with us vs. renting. Why? It puts my mind at ease knowing what we have for a carseat vs the gamble at the rental car agency. We also travel fairly frequently where it is more cost effective for us to invest in travel carseats vs rent.
Brody’s Carseat: We bought this $30 ultra compact booster seat for this trip. It’s tiny! My friend Erin, who is a certified carseat tech, gave me a few pointers on making sure this is installed properly. Her words exactly “push that sucker way back into the seat crack so the lap belt will sit better”.
Isla’s Carseat: Isla is almost 4 years old. She still sits in a harnessed carseat at home. We wanted a compact option to bring with us on this trip and after some research the WhizRider seemed like our best option. She puts on the vest and it has metal clips that you thread the seatbelt through to ensure they stay in the proper position the whole time. It’s a great option if you plan to use taxis too. We ordered size small for her.
Luca’s Carseat: Our under $50 Cosco Scenera Next travel carseat has been well loved over the years. All of my kids have used this one. It has the proper label on the side to be able to be used on an airplane. It’s lightweight. We either use a carabineer hook to hook it onto a backpack and carry through the airport or this time, we are using a bungee cord and attaching it to the rolling suitcase. If we are not using the carseat on the plane, we will often put it in a carseat bag and gate check it.
Stroller: We’re also bringing our well-loved $30 umbrella stroller. We’ve tried ones 3x’s this price and this one is still our favorite. We also are brining our Lillebaby Carrier—if one of the big kids needs a break from walking they can sit in the stroller and we will wear Luca.
The Entertainment
Snacks galore: I make each kid a snack pack like these on IG. I bring lots of lollipops for bribes + to use on take-off and landing to help their ears pop.
Activities: Window gel clings, fidget poppers, things from the Target dollar spot, activity book, dot stickers and activities from Magic Playbook are my go-tos.
Screen Time: Here’s the truth—we do unlimited screen time when we are traveling. The kids will use ipads and/or use the tv on the back on the airplane seat. We just plan for a screen time detox when we get back home. We love these wireless kids bluetooth headphones.
You may also be interested in my Kids Travel Gear Post!
Things I Love On Long Flights
Mini Toothbrushes (I grab these at the Dollar Tree—they also sell similar at Target!)
Deodorant Wipes
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Face Wipes
Pandemic Gear
Hand Sanitizer: We have a travel sized one hanging off of everyone’s backpack for easy access.
Face Masks: We use disposable masks on the plane so we can toss them as soon as the flight is over. I buy a different color of masks for adult size vs kid size so it is easy to differentiate when I am grabbing one from the bag.
Mask Lanyards: These help make sure our masks are easy to find after taking them on and off for sips to drink or bites of food.
Clorox Wipes: Yes, I’m that crazy lady that makes the plane smell like bleach as soon as we sit down.
Sterilizing bag: I’m using this silicone Evenflo bag to store Luca’s pacifiers in while we travel. I can sterilize them directly in the bag at an airport lounge or airbnb.
Covid Home Tests: These rapid tests are approved by the US for re-entry for ages 4+. We will still need to get Isla tested at the airport since she is 3, but the rest of us will use these.
So there you have it! All of the details on what we are packing for our international trip with kids. We’re so excited for this adventure! And you better believe I snuck in a packable duffle bag so we can bring some extra treasures home!
