Travelling with Kids
The Ultimate Family Travel Packing Checklist
Packing for a family holiday can feel like you're trying to prepare for every possible scenario.
Forgotten teddy? Disaster.
No spare clothes? Guaranteed blowout.
The good news is that you don't need to pack everything. Just the right things.
🛂 Documents
Use this quick list to cover the essentials without packing the whole house.
- DocumentsPassports, boarding passes, travel insurance and emergency contacts.
- ClothingDaywear, sleepwear, spare outfits, swimmers and weather-ready layers.
- FeedingBottles, formula, snacks, bibs and cups.
- SleepA familiar comforter, sleep sack, white noise, dummies and CoziGo.
- HealthMedications, thermometer, first-aid basics, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Carry-onNappies, wipes, spare clothes, entertainment, chargers and more snacks than you think.
The best packing hack? Start with your routine.
When you're travelling with kids, you're not just packing clothes.
You're packing little routines that help everyone feel settled.
The bedtime book they always ask for.
The favourite comforter they won't sleep without.
The snacks that somehow solve almost every problem.
The more familiar your child's routine feels, the easier it often is for them to settle somewhere new.
That's why we always recommend thinking beyond "What do I need?" and asking "What helps my child feel at home?"
Nicky Barker's family-travel essentials
Paediatric sleep consultant Nicky Barker from Little Ones has helped thousands of families prepare for holidays with young children. These are the ideas worth checking before you close the suitcase.
- Write separate listsGroup items for baby, older children, adults and shared essentials, then add to them as you remember things.
- Keep the first things accessiblePack pyjamas, comforters, nappies, wipes, spare clothes and snacks where you can reach them.
- Plan the journey around real needsKnow the route, likely stops and usual nap times, but leave room for delays.
- Prepare children for the planTalk through the journey and let older children choose activities for the trip.
- Recreate familiar cues on arrivalUse the same bedding, white noise, stories and sleep aids wherever possible.
- Stay flexibleKeep the routine recognisable without expecting the holiday to run exactly like home.
The one thing that doesn't always make the packing list
When you're packing for a trip, it's easy to focus on the obvious things.
Clothes.
Nappies.
Snacks.
Passports.
But one thing that's just as important is thinking about how your baby will sleep once you arrive.
Travelling often means bright airports, busy planes, unfamiliar places and naps that happen wherever the day takes you. A little planning before you leave can make those moments much easier.
That's exactly why so many families pack CoziGo. It helps create a familiar sleep space from the airport to your destination, so naps don't have to stop just because you're away from home.
Packing Tip
Keep CoziGo in your carry-on.
That way it's ready from the moment you leave home, whether your baby falls asleep in the airport, on the plane or while you're exploring somewhere new.
Five things we'd always pack for better naps on the go
- A familiar comforterA favourite blanket or comfort toy can make new places feel more familiar.
- White noiseUseful for softening unfamiliar sounds on planes, in hotels and while exploring.
- Easy-to-reach snacksA well-timed snack can solve more travel problems than almost anything else.
- CoziGoCreate a darker sleep space from airline bassinets to prams and strollers.
- A bedtime routineA familiar story, song or cuddle can help your little one settle.
Pack for the adventure, not just the flight.
The best family holidays aren't perfect.
They come with unexpected detours, changed plans and the occasional missed nap.
But a little preparation can make the whole journey feel a lot easier.
Whether you're flying overseas, heading off on a road trip or enjoying a weekend away, CoziGo helps create a familiar sleep space wherever your little traveller needs one.