I like to plan ahead. I want to make sure that we have everything we need and that we don’t have to spend time going to the shop to get something we forgot. It bothers me when we’ve missed some of the most forgotten items when packing because it’s so avoidable!!

So here are some lists for different vacation situations. The items I’ve linked below are actually what we use. We didn’t get paid by affiliates for them and they aren’t just product placements. We’re talking real life use here.

Below are lists for various different scenarios with commentary to explain why we use that particular item or why we like that particular item.

Sometimes we include all of the things on the list, but depending on the situation or the itinerary, we might not include all of the items on each of these particular lists. For instance, when we drove to Boise I used the Standard Packing List and Car Trip List.

We’ve included a pretty comprehensive list so that you can pick and choose depending on your needs. Also, below is a download of the list without all the commentary. I’ve saved this list onto my phone so that I can tick things off as they go in the bags.

Would love to hear from you about how you travel in the comments below. Let’s hive mind this thing and really get a solid list going:)

Here is a download to easy your packing plans.

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Face washing regime (gotta wash my face)
  • Deodorant 
  • Body cream (Cerave and Cetaphil)
  • Sea salt spray 
  • Travel contact solution
  • Pumice stone
  • Razor
  • Tweezers
  • Nail clippers
  • Q-Tip’s
  • Med kit 
    • Bandaids
    • Thermometer
    • Hydrocortisone
    • Acetomenaphine
    • Ibuprofen
    • Anti-diarrhea medication
    • Anti-constipation medication
    • Omezaprole (for before a fun night of drinking)
    • Zipstitch Laceration Kit (repair a deep cut when away from ER services)
most forgotten items when packing

Entertainment for the Trip

(all electronics charged, downloaded and synced prior to leaving)

  • Books, books, books
  • Pencil box with markers, crayons
  • Bose speaker
  • iPads for each girl 
  • Headphones or earbuds for each of us  
  • Chargers and bases
    • Laptop
    • Bose speaker
    • iPad
    • Watch
    • Ear buds
    • Headphones
  • Binoculars
most forgotten items when packing

Standard Packing List

  • Nexus passes
  • Passports 
  • Enhanced driver’s licenses
  • Workout clothes
  • Flipflops
  • Lollipops
  • Ziploc bags 
  • Water bottles 
  • A stuffie for the 5-year-old
  • Books, books, books
  • Coloring books and crayons/pencils/markers
  • Some small toys that we don’t expect to bring home 
most forgotten items when packing

Warm Weather Vacations

  • Bathing suits 
  • Coverups for swimming suits
  • Towels (if not staying at a hotel)
  • Beach bag
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunhats
  • Hair detangle spray
  • Goggles
  • Paddle for Stand Up Paddleboard
  • Inflator for Stand Up Paddleboard
  • Hiking backpack
most forgotten items when packing

Cold Weather Vacations

  • Swim suits for apres ski
  • Flipflops to head down to the pool
  • Compression bags
  • Replacement lens for goggles
  • Ski boots
  • Ski boot chargers
  • Skis
  • Ski Straps
  • Massage gun
  • Small personal flask (enough said)
  • Walkie Talkies
  • Boot driers
  • Ski tubes
packing list

Car Trips

  • Snacks
  • Snacks
  • Snacks
  • Water
  • Portable roof cargo box
packing list

Camping Trips

  • Battery to blow up air mattress if your car doesn’t have an inverter
  • Fitted sheet
  • Duvet
  • Pillows
  • Kid sized sleeping bags
  • Kitchen prep table
  • Camp stove
  • Dish washing station
    Dishwashing liquid
  • Food scraper or rag
  • Shower bag
  • Body soap  
  • Camping French press
  • Fuel source
  • Camping pots 
  • Camping cooking utensils
  • Camping food bowls and sporks
  • Water purifier (tablets and sieve) in case of emergency
  • Hand saw – for removing dangerous branches at eye level of kids
  • Shovel
  • Fire starter kit (inlcudes kindling, lighter and wood) 
  • Work gloves
  • Flashlight 

Trips for Which We’ll be Cooking

  • Coffee filters
  • Spices (we use small travel spice holders like this)
  • Lightweight pan
     

What We Packed When the Girls Were Younger

  • Diapers 
  • Wet wipes
  • Swim diapers
  • Floaties
  • Wet bag
  • Blankets
  • One stuffie each (had to be their favorite)
  • Stroller
  • Clothes, clothes, clothes. 


In case you are looking for inspiration on where to go when you’ve packed, here are some thoughts to spur you toward a memorable vacation with your kiddos!

Oahu – 5 Day Itinerary: Paradise on Oahu

Portland – Best 20 Memories in Portland with kids

Seattle – Perfect 3 Day Seattle Itinerary for your trip with kids

Whistler – Whistler Summer Vacation – 14 Memorable Kid Activities

What do you pack for vacation? Sharing is caring:)

Engage with Our Blog! One of the most effective ways to support this blog is by leaving comments and liking the postings. Not only does this signal Google to display our travel tips and recipes more frequently, but it also encourages others to try them. Your feedback is invaluable – it helps me include data points that are helpful and relevant. Additionally, sharing how you travel benefits other readers; they often read the comments and take your advice. Thank you in advance for your input.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Write A Comment