Resources · Family travel
The Ultimate Family Vacation Packing Checklist
A calm, organized packing checklist for the whole family — with sections for parents, teens, and children. Skim it the week before, and revisit it the night you leave. Better yet, turn it into a shared list in HausPlatz so nothing is packed twice and nothing is forgotten at home.
Use it in HausPlatz: copy this checklist into a shared To-Do list, assign items by family member, and check things off together as you pack.
The night before — a calm 15-minute reset
- Charge phones, tablets, headphones, and camera batteries.
- Print or screenshot boarding passes, hotel confirmations, and rental details.
- Set the thermostat, take out the trash, and water the plants.
- Confirm pet care, mail hold, and any recurring deliveries.
- Lay tomorrow's travel outfits on each family member's bed.
Documents & essentials (one pouch, one adult)
- IDs, passports, and printed itineraries for every traveler.
- Insurance cards, pediatrician contact, and a short medical summary for the kids.
- Backup credit card and a small amount of local currency or cash.
- House keys, car keys, and a spare set left with a trusted neighbor.
Parents — clothes & personal
- 5–7 outfits per adult depending on trip length, plus 1 dressier option.
- Sleepwear, undergarments, and 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes.
- Layer pieces: a light sweater, rain shell, and swimwear if relevant.
- Toiletries bag with travel-sized essentials and daily medications.
- Chargers, adapters, and a small first-aid kit for the whole family.
Teens — pack together, not for them
- Their own carry-on with headphones, chargers, and a book or journal.
- Weather-appropriate outfits they picked (agree on the number of outfits, not the pieces).
- Toiletries, retainer/dental care, and any prescriptions they manage themselves.
- A refillable water bottle and one healthy snack for travel days.
- Emergency contact card in their wallet in case phones die.
Children — quick calm, few decisions
- One outfit per day plus 2 backups for spills and weather changes.
- Comfort item: a favorite stuffed animal, small blanket, or nightlight.
- Kid-safe sunscreen, hats, and swim gear if the destination calls for it.
- Snack pouch with familiar foods for the travel day.
- A small activity bag: crayons, sticker book, cards, or a downloaded show.
Health & safety
- Full medication list with dosages, in original bottles.
- Pain reliever for adults and kids, bandages, thermometer, and motion sickness remedies.
- Sunscreen, bug spray, and lip balm.
- Reusable water bottles for every traveler.
Tech & entertainment
- One universal charging brick and a labeled cable pouch.
- Portable battery for travel days.
- Downloaded shows, playlists, audiobooks, or a family podcast.
- A deck of cards and one small travel game.
Arrival day — the first 30 minutes
- Assign a landing spot for keys, wallets, and travel documents.
- Unpack toothbrushes, pajamas, and any medications first.
- Restock water bottles and set out tomorrow's outfits.
- Do a quick family huddle: what does tomorrow look like, and who does what?
Make packing a family activity, not a solo scramble
HausPlatz brings your calendar, meals, groceries, chores, and packing lists into one calm shared space. Every family member gets their own color and profile, so it's clear who packed what — and who still needs a nudge.