Easy Way for Kids to Pack for Trips

For free kids’ packing list click the orange button at the end of this post.

Getting ready for trips can be stressful and there are so many things to do and tasks to complete. If you have kids then you know the extra work it requires to get everyone out the door. I’m sharing a simple tool today that has helped us tremendously.

Our Old Way of Packing for Trips

A usual morning of packing goes like this. A child asks what they need to pack. I say 3 T-shirts. They grab three T-shirts and then ask me what is next. I say 4 pairs of socks, no make that 5. They then come back and say, ” How many socks? I forgot what you said.” This goes on and on. Because the kids need to know what to pack next I’m constantly being interrupted from my own packing, which gets me overwhelmed and frazzled. I love going on trips but sometimes packing is just too much.

Our New Packing Method

One day I was talking with my friend, Heather, and she shared her method that made the whole process so much smoother. She simply makes a packing list for her children.

If kids can read, the task of packing becomes something they can do on their own. Since I started this packing method with my kids I no longer dread packing day.

Kids Packing (Themselves) Step by Step

1. If a trip is upcoming it’s key that I have all the laundry done before packing day.
2. On packing day, I print out a packing list (get yours free below) for each child.
3. I fill in the number of items needed for that particular trip.
4. I mark out anything not needed and add anything that’s missing.
5. I give each child their packing list and tell them to lay everything out on their bed.
6. Once they’re finished they come and get me. I look over everything and see if anything is missing.
7. I also practice my veto rights in that I get to change at least two three items of clothing from the things they’ve picked out. Sometimes I just don’t like a certain shirt and don’t want to look at it all day on vacation. 😉
8. Next, they put everything in their suitcase.
9. Lastly, any items they’ve gathered for the car or carry-on need to be put in a pile next to their suitcases.
10. Done. Kids are packed, mark it off the list!

Free Printable Packing List for Kids

Kids' Packing List

Be sure to print in landscape orientation, 2 packing lists per 8.5×11 sheet. Place the printed sheet in a plastic sheet protector or laminate for continued use with a dry-erase marker.

I can’t explain how much easier packing day is now that I have my kids pack this way.

I’d love to know if this helps.

You may also like Road Tripping Solo with Kids or Ideas for Kids Travel Entertainment (sans screens).

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