With three kids and a mountain of gear, packing light for family trips can seem downright impossible. But having the right items can make all the difference in traveling smoothly with minimal luggage.

Over the years of wrangling kids through airports and stuffed minivans, I’ve discovered my tried-and-true travel products that ensure we adventure in comfort with just carry-ons in tow.

Below I’m sharing my family’s can’t-live-without travel items that make getting around with kids far easier. As a minimalist traveler, I’ve become a pro at ruthlessly editing down our luggage and we only pack one carry-on and one backpack per person.

These selections have passed the test of time and many chaotic vacations across the globe. So if you’re struggling under the weight of bulky suitcases, strollers, and tantrum-inducing travel days with little ones, take a peek at my hand-picked items for breezing through airports and making the most of your family adventures. Let’s hit the road light and make some magical memories!

TRAVEL SHOP

Jump ahead:

 

Travel and Packing

• Aloha waterproof tote
• Compression cubes
• Backpack that could be a weekend getaway bag
• Carryon
• Toiletry hanging bag
• Waterproof pouch
• Backpack kids
• Carryon

Accessories

• Airpods
• Portable charger
• Plug adapter
• Waterproof backpack
• Waterproof phone holder (for the lagoons and baths!)
• Car charger
• Kids wallet
• Shrink bag for bulky things (a must for keeping a carryon only)
• Thermos water bottle (all sink water is delicious and fresh! Don’t buy bottled water. You could have one be for tea/coffee and one for water)
• Toothbrush holder
• Packable sunhat
• Kindle

Flight Accessories

• Neck pillow
• Over the ear headphones for plane (because they’re comfy for long rides)
• Eye mask
• Inflatable sleeping pillow
• Melatonin kids (because that jet lag is a B)
• Melatonin adults (see above)

Language Courses

• Pimsleur Icelandic
• Pimsleur Japanese

Location Specific Packing

Japan

Luggage/Travel

• Aloha waterproof tote – this is a go to purse for me
• Compression cubes – keeping organized, so kids aren’t throwing their entire suitcase out on the floor
• Backpack that could be a weekend getaway bag it fits so much
• Carryon
• Toiletry hanging bag
• Waterproof pouch – good for so many things, including the kids toiletries
• Backpack kids
• Portable charger
• Kids wallet (So many coins and cash in Japan)
• Plug adapter (US to Japan) I would bring at least 2 for 6 people
• Shrink bag for bulky things (a must for keeping a carryon only)
• Portable charger
• Toothbrush holder

Flight Accessories

• Neck pillow
• Over the ear headphones for plane (because they’re comfy for long rides)
• Airpods
• Eye mask
• Inflatable sleeping pillow
• Melatonin kids (because that jet lag is a B)
• Melatonin adults (see above)
• Kindle

Clothing Essentials

• Wool leggings or joggers (not itchy and stink resistant! a GAME CHANGER for light travel)
• Travel dress (soft, has pockets, stink resistant- I took this dress on a 5 week trip without having to wash it). More on my love for merino wool here.
• Eurosoft sandals
• Nike tennis shoes (very versatile, held up really well, though not as cushiony as Nike Roshes
• Wool socks (wool will keep you warm, dry, and stink free)
• Packable sunhat

 

Books

• Honeybunny the Unipuppy Visits Japan, our book that gets kids excited for the trip ahead, eating new foods, visiting temples, and journaling on the trip. More on Honeybunny here.
• Tokyo coffee table book
• Lonely planet Japan
• Japan coffee table book
• “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee – the book is fantastic and there is a show now too
• Memoirs of a Geisha is a wonderful book that really helps get deeper into the Geisha history, and appreciate the art. The movie was ok and not true to the book, but still worth a watch.

Other Buys for Japan

• Training chopsticks (get your kids used to chopsticks! We found ourselves without forks many times )
• Japan puzzle (fun activity before you leave)
• Tokyo Treat. One fun way to prep for the trip was through a subscription box through Tokyo Treat. It was a great way to get used to new tastes and also get excited for the trip ahead. It’s also a fun box to get after your trip to reminisce.
• Anime drawing class this was a fun activity for the kids over zoom, and I’ve also given this as a gift for friends that are far away as an activity to do together. Get $20 off here
• Pimsleur Japanese

Iceland

For a downloadable Iceland packing list click here:

Essentials

• Snow pants kids
• Leggings kids
• Leggings kids
• Wool leggings (not itchy and stink resistant! a GAME CHANGER for light travel)
• Travel dress (soft, has pockets, stink resistant- I took this dress on a 5 week trip without having to wash it)
• Rain pants (pop these over the leggings when you’re chasing waterfalls, take them right back off for longer rides)
• Cargo hiking pants, men’s
• Toiletries (hanging organizer is a must)
• Wool socks (wool will keep you warm, dry, and stink free)
• Waterproof fleece lined pants
• PJs (inside is always warm thanks to the geothermal heat- I recommend light PJs like these or just a bra tank and shorts)

Outerwear

Note the pop of yellow or red looks great in photos against the stark Icelandic scenery

• Packable vest
• Rain jacket
• Hat
• Waterproof gloves
• Waterproof and warm jacket
• Scarf (over the face ones can come in handy)

Footwear

• Crampons/ Ice cleats (you slip these over your shoes to avoid slipping)
• Wool socks, kids
• Hiking boots – Women’s
• Note that I brought sneakers and flip flops and didn’t need them

Accessories

• Portable charger
• Plug adapter
• Waterproof backpack
• Waterproof phone holder (for the lagoons and baths!)
• Car charger
• Waterproof pouch
• Shrink bag for bulky things (a must for keeping a carryon only)
• Thermos water bottle (all sink water is delicious and fresh! Don’t buy bottled water. You could have one be for tea/coffee and one for water)

For the home

• Elf house doors (because you also might become obsessed with elves and want one after you go to Iceland!)
• Coffee table book
• Children’s book about Iceland Troll Christmas (fascinating!)
• Pimsleur Icelandic

Europe in the Summer

Some notable highlights that got me through 5 weeks in Europe

Clothes

• Flowy dress
• The Renata dress (soft, has pockets, stink resistant- I took this dress on a 5 week trip without having to wash it)
• Rain jacket
• Merino wool tshirts (stink resistant): humid friendly linen blend here or tshirts here, tanks here

Accessories

• Thermos water bottle
• Waterproof pouch
• Shrink bag for bulky things (a must for keeping a carryon only)
• Portable charger
• Plug adapter
• Waterproof backpack
• Waterproof phone holder
• Car charger

Shoes

Yes, only 2! See more here

• Nike tennis shoes (very versatile, held up really well, though not as cushiony as Nike Roshes
• Eurosoft sandals (held up great for 5 weeks and very versatile from city walks to weddings), runner up would have been Merrells if I wasn’t going to a wedding

Scandinavia in the Summer (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark)

Not an exhaustive list, but MVP highlights

Clothing

• Flowy dress
• The Renata dress (soft, has pockets, stink resistant- I took this dress on a 5 week trip without having to wash it)
• Rain jacket
• Merino wool tshirts (stink resistant): humid friendly linen blend here or tshirts here, tanks here

Accessories

• Thermos water bottle
• Waterproof pouch
• Shrink bag for bulky things (a must for keeping a carryon only)
• Portable charger
• Plug adapter
• Waterproof backpack
• Waterproof phone holder
• Car charger

Shoes

• Nike tennis shoes (very versatile, held up really well, though not as cushiony as Nike Roshes
• Optional swap of sneakers for Hiking boots depending on how active you will be on the trails
• Eurosoft sandals (held up great for 5 weeks and very versatile from city walks to weddings), runner up would have been Merrells if you’re not getting too dressy

Disclaimer: Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I’ll make a tiny amount of commission without it costing more for you.