• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Don't Just Fly
  • START HERE
  • BY LOCATION
    • Disney
    • Amelia Island
    • Atlanta
    • Charleston
    • Myrtle Beach
    • Pigeon Forge
    • Savannah
    • Wilmington
  • BY EXPERIENCE
    • Family Road Trips
    • Family Beach Trips
  • PLANNING
    • Travel Food
    • Packing Tips
    • Hotel Tips
    • Vacation Photography Tips
  • ROADSCHOOL
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • START HERE
  • Family Beach Trips
  • Disney Vacations
  • Planning Your Trip
  • Roadschooling
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Blog » Family Trips

    Essential Travel Grab Bag Items for Kids

    Published: May 10, 2021 · Modified: Apr 19, 2022 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links

    2 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Whether you're heading on a road trip or traveling by plane with kids, it's handy to have a grab bag with essentials to make the trip go easier.

    A kids' suitcase is filled with clothing and a few toys.

    "Nothing is truly lost until your mother can't find it."

    The key to successful traveling with kids is organization. There are few things worse than mounting frustration as you hunt through piles of stuff to find the one thing your baby needs.

    There are 2 scenarios in particular where this becomes extra important:

    1. Your airplane carry-on: What happens if your checked luggage is lost on the way to your destination?

    2. Your overnight bag during a road trip if you need to drive more than a day to reach your destination: Do you really want to haul every last thing into the hotel for a one-night stopover stay?

    Last year we flew with the kids for our vacation, this year we're driving with a one night stopover before we get there so I've encountered both of these situations. I will be carefully packing small, grab-able bags for the kids to make our stopover night as stress-free as possible.

    Here is my checklist of what I include in our grab bag for the kids for both scenarios:

    • Pajamas/Nightgown
    • 1 clean change of clothes including undies; i.e. 1 zip top bag from here
    • Swimsuit: Heading to the pool is a great time killer while you wait for lost bags!
    • Sunhat and/or sunglasses
    • Traveling lovies, they stay on our person at all times during the transportation
    • Diapers/swim diaper if applicable & wipes
    • Nightlight and/or a kid's flashlight: More important for the road trip, not worth the hassle inside a carry-on. Helps the little ones scared of the dark when they're transported from the car to the room past their bedtimes.
    • Toothbrush and the kids share from my essential toiletries as needed
    • 1 or 2 small books or toys to keep entertained in a pinch: We love the Melissa & Doug On the Go Color N Carry Books because they include the crayons right in the packaging.
    • And for the carry-ons: Any other essentials you wouldn't want to spend your vacation without. For us that means our camera, Disney pins & travel journal!

    If you are worried that an item will be confiscated by airport security, it is always worth the time to double check here before you go.

    More Family Vacation Tips

    • Best Packing List for Teens: Mom-Approved!
    • Should You Take Your Dog on Vacation?
    • 40 Easy Meals for Large Groups on Vacation
    • Grab and Go Breakfast in the Car Ideas
    2 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Trackbacks

    1. Easy Beach Vacation Dinner Ideas – Touriago says:
      August 14, 2022 at 10:49 am

      […] First Thing You Should Do on a Beach Vacation with KidsHow to Avoid Sunburn at the BeachEssential Travel Grab Bag Items for KidsBest Beach Gear for […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tiffany! I believe the best memories are made on our family trips. I'm excited to share easy ways to connect with your kids and raise lifelong learners through family travel.

    More about me →

    Family Summer Vacations

    • Easy Vacation Meals for Beach Rentals
    • Best Hotel Tips for Road Trips with Kids
    • Wilderness at the Smokies: A Review
    • 5 Ways to Tell Kids You're Going to Disney

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.