A mom's travel checklist for a long family vacation with kids
- dimple verma
- Jun 11
- 6 min read
I’m about to leave for a longer-than-usual trip (18 days) to Spain with the kids. Besides it being a stretch compared to our usual family getaways (especially by American standards), it’s also a trip with many destinations with varied temperatures.
That means I had to plan not just for weather swings, but also for the reality of being away from home for more than two weeks.
Hi, I am Dimple, mom of two small girls (4 yr and 6 yr at this time), and I write all things related to travel with kids- guides, itineraries, tips, and hacks so you don’t have to. This post is dedicated to traveling for a longer duration with kids.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you use these links to purchase something. Thanks
Here’s my checklist I prepare before taking the trip with kids :
🏡 At home- Things I always take care of before locking the front door:
Unplug appliances and turn off the Wi-Fi router – To avoid any power surges or short-circuiting during grid fluctuations. This is a must. Otherwise, I’ll spend half the flight wondering, “Did I turn off the coffee machine?!”
Empty the trash, always! You do not want to return to a house filled with fruit flies and mysterious smells.
Clear out the fridge (as much as possible). I leave the non-perishables like sauces and chocolate, but everything else gets tossed or frozen.
Adjust the heating or cooling. In winter, I lower the floor heating so it turns off automatically. In summer, I switch off the AC. No need to waste energy!
Prep food for our return. I freeze a couple of easy comfort meals (hello, lentils and spinach!) so we’re not scrambling for food when we get back tired and jetlagged.
Let neighbors or friends know we’ll be gone. We have a couple of trusted folks check in on the house once a week while we're away.
Notify the kids’ school about their absence in advance and send any required notes.
Pause or reschedule extracurricular classes. Either cancel them or request make-up sessions in advance.
Make a “return to real life” to-do list. The post-vacation brain fog is real. Having a pre-written list of what needs attention helps me get back in the groove.
Write down passwords. I’ve been locked out of my iPad more times than I care to admit because I forgot the password. Now, I jot them down somewhere safe before leaving.
Set up a basic auto-response on email. Something short and friendly, just to let people know you might be slower to reply while you’re away.
Run one load of laundry before leaving. Nothing like coming home to fresh sheets and a clean towel waiting for you.
Do a last-minute walkthrough. Lights off, doors locked, windows shut. I even sa a little goodbye to the house.
🧖♀️ Personal care
These are personal habits I follow that may not apply to everyone, but if I know I’ll be away for more than a few weeks, I try to squeeze them in before we leave:
Salon visit – Waxing, threading, nails, the whole deal. I like to feel cleaned up before I travel, especially since personal care options can be hit or miss depending on the destination.
Haircuts for everyone – I don’t always do this, but before the last few trips, I’ve booked a haircut for myself and the kids. Fresh trims mean one less thing to think about during the trip.
Annual checkups – I try to get routine health checks done before long trips, especially if vaccinations or travel health certificates might be required for the kids.
Stock up on prescriptions – I refill any daily meds for myself and the kids. I’ve also learned to carry a written prescription (especially for things like inhalers or allergy meds) just in case.
🎒 Packing
Packing for kids is an art form. Here’s what works for us:
We stick to two suitcases, with a 23 kg limit. I love our Samsonite, American Tourister bags. Both are sturdy, and we've used them for years.
Packing cubes- I organize each person’s things in cubes. It saves space, makes hotel unpacking easier, and helps me avoid digging through layers to find one sock.
Label everything- I always add name tags to luggage, including a contact number. Call it paranoia, but bags do get lost, and it helps.
Diaper bag forever- Even though my kids are older now, I still travel with our trusty diaper bag. It has a million pockets and slides onto my suitcase handle. It holds iPads, headphones, chargers, water bottles, and all the small things I don’t want to check in.
Snack bag- I always carry fruit (pears, blueberries, apples) and small treats (lollipops, cheese sticks, dried cranberries, Cheez-Its, mini sandwiches). Hungry kids = cranky flight.
Medical kit. I never travel without this. Ours usually has Kids’ and adults’ vitamins, Ibuprofen and paracetamol, Tampons/pads, Cough medicine and throat lozenges, Eye drops, melatonin, band-aids, a mini first-aid kit, Nebulizer (for respiratory issues)
✈️ In flight
Most of our longer trips take us to faraway destinations, which means long-haul flights. So, I prep for comfort and kids in mind:
Bring a cozy zip-up fleece: Even if we’re headed somewhere warm, flights and hotel rooms can be freezing. Airports too. I never leave the house without everyone’s jackets, especially the kids’.
Lip balm + refillable water bottle: I have always used Vaseline lip balm, and it works wonders on dry lips, even on planes. I fill our bottles before boarding and again mid-flight. You never know when a kid will suddenly decide they’re dying of thirst.
My Steve Madden cross sling body bag: It stays on me the whole flight. It holds my passport, main credit cards, and emergency cash, and doubles as my day bag during sightseeing.
Inflatable pillows: These have saved us on long-haul flights to India, Singapore, Japan, you name it. They help the kids sleep and act as footrests for us adults.
Kid activity bag: I tear out pages from activity books and toss in UNO cards, stickers, math games, small coloring pages, and mini reading books. Simple, light, and keeps them occupied.
💼 Work and personal finances
Before a big trip, I try to get ahead of all the work and money stuff. Especially because one rarely travels completely “offline.”
Pre-plan and delegate work: I hand off tasks to my team and set up check-ins during my trip. It’s tricky to juggle time zones and meetings, but I’ve learned that preparation makes all the difference.
Estimate the total trip cost: I always create a rough budget for the trip, flights, hotels, taxis, excursions, and we plan our next month’s finances around that number.
Banking prep: I move money into the right accounts to cover direct debits and credit card payments while I’m away. Avoiding overdraft surprises is key.
Set up eSIM and data pack: I download and activate my Airalo eSIM before travel. It’s one less thing to worry about at the destination airport.
Backup cards: I carry two spare cards, one debit, one credit in a different part of my bag. I also carry Amex for hotels and rentals.
Carry cash (always): I withdraw at least 500 EUR before leaving. Cash is still king in many countries. I also keep a small stash of USD, which is more widely accepted globally.
Pay non-auto bills in advance: Any bills not on auto-debit (like my phone bill), I pay ahead and even add some extra credit just in case.
Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s not just about packing bags, it’s about setting up your home, your headspace, and your energy to enjoy the trip.
Every family’s needs are different, so pick what works for you, leave what doesn’t, and make your checklist that you can reuse each time you travel with kids.
And if you’re reading this while staring at an open suitcase and a to-do list a mile long: I see you. You’ve got this. Safe travels, and may your coffee be strong, your flights be on time, and your snacks never run out mid-air. 😉
Let me know in the comments what your own non-negotiables are before a big trip. I’m always looking for new tips from fellow travelers!
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