Think it’s impossible to travel as a family without checking bags? Think again. It’s possible. Even with kids—and yes, even for a full week. No baggage fees, no wasted time at the carousel, and no panicked searches for lost luggage.
I’ve been flying carry-on only since my two were in preschool. Here’s everything I’ve learned from years of traveling light with a husband and two kids in tow. If, like me, you’re flying with two adults and two kids, that equals four carry-ons and four personal items. That’s plenty of packing space to have everything you need for a week’s vacation, without the baggage fees. or the all-too-real chance of the airlines losing your luggage.
The Key to Packing Light with Kids
The key to packing light is teaching kids to pull their own weight. Kids as young as 4 can push a lightweight four-wheel spinner carry-on like this one from Samsonite. Even preschoolers are used to wearing backpacks. Pack them with the supplies the kids will need to stay happy before, during and after the flight, from iPads to coloring books and snacks. (Travel is NOT the time to be stingy about electronics. Be sure they’re fully charged to avoid mid-movie meltdowns.)
Treat your tweens and teens like adults and let them pack their own stuff, strictly enforcing the carry-on-only rule. Just be sure to do a bag check before you leave the house to make sure they packed enough underwear along with their electronics!
SheBuysTravel Tip: Don’t cheap out on your carry-on. The best laid plans — and packed bags — are worth nothing when a wheel breaks or the handle comes off. Stick with the best luggage brands to ensure durability.
It’s All About Packing Smart
Everyone who buys a ticket is entitled to board with one small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you and one carry-on that fits in the overhead bin. (Yes, if you happen to be the last person on board, there’s a chance the overhead bin space will be full. If that’s the case, you’ll have to gate-check your bags. While there is always a risk the bags will get lost in transit, the good news is that you likely won’t be charged the checked bag fee.)
Here’s how to make the most of all of that luggage space.
- Wear your heaviest stuff on the plane — jeans, hiking boots, bulky sweater, puffy coat. It will save room in your carry-on luggage and keep you warm on a chilly flight.
- Pack several thin layers for warmth rather than one bulky thing.
- Invest in compression packing cubes. . I use these from Gonex. They let me fit more in less space. As an added bonus, packing cubes can reduce the wrinkles to save me ironing time in the hotel.
- Plan what everyone will wear to ensure every piece of clothing can do double or triple duty.
- Pack travel-friendly Tide laundry detergent packets so you can wash things in the hotel sink if necessary. Of, if your room has a whirlpool tub, put the clothes and Tide in there and turn on the jets. Instant wash machine!
- Limit everyone to packing one pair of shoes and one pair of flip-flops or sandals. That’s it. With the pair on your feet, that makes three, which should be plenty for a week away.
Carry-on Packing Checklist
There are two parts to this:
- The carry-on bag
- The personal item
We’ll tackle each one separately.
Carry-on-Only Packing List: the 21-Inch Suitcase
This is where you want all of the stuff you’ll need at your destination. It might include any of the following, but not all. Obviously, if you’re going somewhere cold, you’ll want a warm hat and gloves. If you’re headed to the beach, pack a sun hat instead.
Toiletries
This section is sponsored by Ulta Beauty.
You’re carrying on this suitcase, so the critical thing to remember is the TSA 3-1-1 rule. No more than three ounces per product. That’s where mini sizes, like these from Ulta, are the answer. And, whenever possible, choose products that do double duty, like this CC+ color-correcting hydrating serum that also is a sunscreen with 50 SPF.
- Makeup
- Makeup remover
- Moisturizers
- Sunscreen
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Perfume
- Deodorant
- Brush and/or comb
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Razor
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Band-Aids
- First-aid ointment
- Insect repellent- select wipes so that they don’t have to be included in your 3-1-1 liquid allotment
- Pain relievers
Clothing for adults
- Dress shirt
- Casual shirts/T-shirts
- Pants/jeans
- Shorts
- Dress or skirt
- Sweater or sweatshirt
- Swimsuit/cover-ups
- Rain jacket
- Sun hat
- Warm hat & gloves
- Scarf
- Dress shoes
- Flip-flops or sandals
- Underwear
- Socks
- Bra
- Pajamas
Clothing for kids
- T-shirts
- Pants/jeans
- Shorts
- Sweater or sweatshirt
- Swimsuit
- Rain jacket
- Sun hat
- Warm hat & gloves
- Scarf
- Flip-flops or sandals
- Underwear
- Socks
- Pajamas
Extras to Pack
- Small purse
- Foldable tote or daypack
- Dry bag
- Binoculars
- Waterproof pouch for cell phones (critical if you’re planning a beach vacation)
What to Pack in Your Personal Item
First, think about what kind of “personal item” you want to take. I know most people (me included) choose a backpack. It can carry a lot and it’s great for hands-free travel when you’re also wrangling kids and their carry-ons. Others prefer a big cloth bag like this one from Ecokaki because it’s flexible and can be tucked under the seat, but can easily be pulled out and zipped open to see everything inside.
Whatever personal item you choose, here’s what to pack inside:
- Costume jewelry (leave the expensive stuff at home)
- Passport/visa
- Copies of important travel documents
- Identification
- Credit cards (bring two, just in case)
- Cell phone
- Boarding pass/tickets
- Medical insurance card
- Electronics chargers — keeping the kids charged up in key to keeping them happy through long flights and car ries.
- Extra power supply
- Power strip — I have traveled the world with this one from Anker.
- Itinerary
- Travel insurance card
- Power converter — this one works from the UK to Australia
- Wallet
- Prescription medications (2 times as much as you’ll need, just in case)
- Cash
- Earplanes (indispensable when you’re flying with a head cold)
- Ear plugs
- Eye mask
- Headphones
- Tide stick stain remover
- Lip balm
- Motrin
- Benadryl
- Hand sanitizer
- Clorox disinfecting cleaning wipes for cleaning the germy spots on the airplane.
- Inflatable neck pillow
- Baby wipes for cleaning little hands
What to Pack in Your Kid’s Personal Item
- Chewing gum or hard candy to help with their ears on take-off and landing
- Snacks
- Travel games
- Favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Kids’ Kindle
- iPad
- Headphones for listening without disturbing other passengers
- Hand sanitizer
- Bubble Bum inflatable car seat
