25 Essentials to Add to Your Family Vacation Packing List

Since families tend to manage a fair amount of electronics, it helps to have a portable charger to extend battery life. This charger is very lightweight, and charges a phone quickly. We also love this multi-port charger that saves us from carrying charger cords for everyone.

Lately there have been too many issues of carbon monoxide poisoning in vacation rentals and hotels. Protect your family with this battery operated detector.

Small earbud headphones are perfect for travel because they take up no room. Kids might prefer over the ear headphones for watching movies or playing video games. Parents might want to look into these volume control headphones for sensitive little ears. For parents or older kids we recommend the Beats Wireless or Bose Noise Canceling Headphones

If you are checking luggage, these are essential. They are also great to help with lost kids. Put them in their pockets when you go out for the day just in case they get separated.

Years ago we were desperate for a car seat alternative. Rental car agencies charge too much to rent them and the thought of bringing three bulky booster seats overseas was overwhelming. Thankfully I discovered Bubble Bum.

They barely weigh anything and if your child can ride in a booster seat, they can ride in a Bubble Bum!

We never travel without packing cubes because they keep our luggage sorted. We can move easily from one hotel to the next because the kids keep their clothes in their cube and we just zip them up when it is time to go. Each child has their own color which makes it very easy when trying to find things. I cannot say enough about packing cubes!

I love this crossbody travel bag so much, I own it in three different colors. Secure pockets, slash resistant, and water resistant, this bag is a no-brainer for travelers.

Be good to yourself and the environment when you travel with a reusable water bottle. This one collapses to a smaller size so you can bring one for everyone.

You can never have too many snacks. Gum and lollipops are perfect on the plane when ears start to hurt. The snacks help when kids get cranky and tired. Having an ample supply of these at your disposal at any given time is a sure fire way to prevent many melt downs.

(Need snack ideas? Don’t miss these posts: 25 Easy to Pack Travel Snacks, Nut Free Snacks, and Easy to Make and Pack Travel Snacks).

It might seem like this is only for road trips, but we actually took a bed overseas when our youngest was a toddler. It was very handy in hotel rooms that only had beds for four people. This is small enough to fit in checked luggage and easy to set up. The kids used to fight over who would sleep in this bed!

Helpful for both parents and kids, this allows everyone to see on those night time bathroom trips.

We like to bring a deck of UNO cards or playing cards when we travel. Over the years card have been a great way to pass the time in hotel rooms, on long train/airplane rides, or while waiting in line. They’re easy to pack and quick to pick up, so it makes sense to bring some along.

These have been a game changer. They are shampoo and conditioner in bar form so you don't need to worry about spilling. We love how compact they are and they come in different scents.

This has been our go-to daypack when we travel. Zippers can be securely tucked and locked to keep would-be thieves out. It’s the perfect pack for taking out during the day and wearing on a crowded bus or train. It’s an added level of security.

A travel clothesline can come in very handy when traveling. The tight loops serve as clothes pins to hold your clothes as they drive. It can be secured from any post to post which makes it highly functional, saving a trip to the laundromat and allowing you to pack less.

Ever worry you might drop your phone when on a boat or leaning over a ledge? You don't need to worry anymore with one of these phone lanyards that keeps your phone safe from accidental falls.

If you need something to support your neck when sleeping, this is the travel pillow for you. Comfortable and easy to use. Its size makes it easy to bring along on your trip.

These packets are easy for travel and they help keep everyone in the family hydrated. I use them when I have migraines and if the kids complain about headaches, I mix these with a glass of water and they feel better shortly thereafter. Highly recommend packing some along on your next family vacation.

If you have a kid who sleepwalks or want an extra level of security when traveling, invest in these door stop alarms. If they are disturbed, the alarm is triggered and we guarantee no one will be able to sleep through the noise!

If your family travels internationally, they will need a power adapter. We love that this adapter is a 4-in-1 that can be used in Europe, the UK, Australia, and the US. It also has multiple ports to charge several devices at once.

This is great for preventing chafing when your kids are in swimsuits all day, or sweating in general. Easy to pack and reapply throughout the day.

Great for travel or any time families are on the go. Not only do these work as makeup removers, they can clean dirty faces and hands in a pinch.

If you are staying in a vacation rental, odds are you might have a washing machine available. Instead of traveling with liquid detergent, use these sheets that clean clothes without the mess!

I love bringing these along on every vacation as they work as a towel, beach blanket, and even a shawl. If they get wet, they dry quickly. Lightweight and they don't take up much room in your suitcase!

If you are team carry on only (COO), this is your new best friend. It's 40L, has four main compartments, can carry a ton of stuff, and travels as a personal item. This has been a game changer for our travels!