Family Travel Made Easy: Luggage Solutions for Holidays with Kids

Travelling with children transforms a simple packing task into a logistical challenge. Kids need more stuff, create more mess, and have less patience for luggage chaos. But with the right approach to luggage and packing, family travel can be smooth and even enjoyable. This guide shares proven strategies from parents who've navigated airports with toddlers, managed teenage clothing mountains, and survived the dreaded question: "Did you pack my...?"

Choosing Luggage for Families

The Big Question: One Large Bag or Multiple Smaller Ones?

This fundamental decision shapes your entire travel experience. Both approaches have merit.

One large suitcase per two people (e.g., two large bags for a family of four) simplifies airport navigation. Fewer bags to track means less chance of leaving something behind. However, very large bags become heavy and difficult to manoeuvre, and exceeding airline weight limits is easier.

Individual bags for everyone teaches children responsibility and ensures each person knows where their items are. This approach works best with older children who can manage their own luggage. The downside is more bags to track and potentially more total weight.

A middle ground often works best: one large checked bag per two people, plus personal carry-ons. Parents can manage the checked luggage while children handle age-appropriate personal bags.

Age-Appropriate Luggage for Children

Toddlers (1-4 years): At this age, children don't need their own luggage—they can't realistically manage it. Their items go in parent bags. However, ride-on suitcases like Trunki can be entertaining and provide a seat for tired legs during long airport walks.

Young children (5-8 years): A small backpack they can carry themselves works well. They can pack a few toys, snacks, and activities. It shouldn't be heavy, and parents should check contents before departure.

Older children (9-12 years): Consider a small rolling carry-on that they manage themselves. This teaches travel responsibility while keeping their items separate and accessible.

Teenagers: Treat them as adults for luggage purposes. They should have their own appropriately sized bag and be responsible for packing and managing it.

Packing Strategies for Families

The "Complete Outfit" Method

Instead of packing by category (all shirts together, all pants together), pack complete outfits in individual bags or packing cubes. Each day has its own package including shirt, pants, underwear, and socks. Benefits include:

• No rummaging for matching items
• Children can dress independently by grabbing a package
• Easy to track what's clean and what's worn
• If one bag is lost, remaining bags still have complete outfits

For younger children, add photos to each outfit bag showing what's inside. This promotes independence and prevents the constant question: "Where's my...?"

Packing by Family Member vs Mixing

Consider splitting each person's items across multiple bags rather than dedicating bags to individuals. If one bag is delayed, everyone still has some of their belongings rather than one person having nothing.

The exception is medications and essential daily items—these should always be in carry-on luggage that stays with you.

The Essential Carry-On for Parents

Your personal carry-on should include immediate-need items for the entire family:

• Passports and travel documents for everyone
• All medications and baby supplies
• Change of clothes for each child (delays and spills happen)
• Snacks—more than you think you'll need
• Entertainment for flights and delays
• Phone chargers and essential electronics
• Nappies and wipes if applicable
• Any comfort items children can't sleep without

Managing Children's Expectations

Involving Kids in Packing

Depending on age, involve children in the packing process. Benefits include:

• They know where things are
• They learn to take ownership of their belongings
• Fewer complaints about what was or wasn't packed
• Valuable life skill development

For younger children, offer limited choices: "Do you want to take the blue dinosaur or the red car?" This gives a sense of control without overwhelming decision-making.

For older children and teenagers, provide a packing list and let them handle it—with a parent check before closing the bag. They learn from their mistakes (forgetting something) while parents catch critical oversights.

Setting Toy and Entertainment Limits

Children want to bring everything. Set clear limits: "You can bring toys that fit in this small bag." Giving them control within defined boundaries reduces arguments and teaches prioritisation.

Tip: New books, colouring materials, or small toys saved specifically for travel feel special and provide more entertainment value than familiar items.

Airport Navigation with Children

Luggage Configuration for Mobility

When planning your luggage setup, consider how you'll actually move through the airport. Questions to ask:

• Can you push a stroller while pulling luggage?
• Do you have a free hand to hold a toddler's hand?
• Can you manage everything if a child needs to be carried?
• What happens if one parent needs to take a child to the bathroom?

Solutions include trolleys (available at most airports), luggage with toddler-ride features, and distributing bags so both parents can manage their portion independently if needed.

Security with Children

Airport security with children requires patience and preparation. Keep shoes easy to remove for older children. Have a separate bag for electronics that's accessible without unpacking everything. Inform officers about baby food or medications before screening.

Familiarise children with the security process before arrival. Explain that bags go through a special camera and they might need to walk through a doorway that beeps. Surprises at security create stress for everyone.

Accommodation and Unpacking

Systems for Staying Organised

Upon arrival, unpack into a system. Designate drawer or shelf space for each family member. Have a "dirty clothes" bag that accumulates worn items. Establish a charging station for devices.

Before leaving each day, do a quick room scan: phones, wallets, keys, room key. Teaching children this habit prevents costly "we left it at the hotel" discoveries.

Repacking for the Return Journey

The return journey typically involves more luggage (souvenirs) and less patience. Strategies include:

• Pack souvenirs throughout the trip rather than the last night
• Reserve space in bags specifically for purchases
• Ship bulky items home rather than carrying them
• Wear your heaviest clothes on the plane

Special Considerations by Trip Type

Beach Holidays

Beach trips require bulky items like towels, floaties, and sand toys. Check if your accommodation provides beach towels. Consider buying cheap sand toys at the destination rather than packing them. Pack a mesh beach bag that allows sand to fall through.

Theme Parks

Theme park trips mean long walking days. Pack comfortable shoes for everyone—broken in, not new. Include rain ponchos (cheaper than park prices), snacks for queues, and small first aid items. Consider a compact day bag for in-park essentials.

Visiting Family

Family visits can mean accessing items you wouldn't pack for hotels: games, special presents, formal clothes for events. Communicate with hosts about what's available (high chairs, toys) to avoid packing unnecessarily.

The Inevitable Mishaps

Things will go wrong. Prepare for:

• Lost luggage: Essential items in carry-on, insurance for replacements
• Spills and stains: Stain remover wipes, spare outfits
• Forgotten items: Most things can be bought; keep perspective
• Broken wheels or zippers: Pack a small repair kit or know luggage repair services at your destination

The goal isn't perfect travel—it's manageable travel. Families who survive (and eventually enjoy) trips together are those who stay flexible, maintain humour, and remember that the destination matters more than the journey's minor hiccups.