Get ready for your family holiday with the children

Family Holiday with Children – how to pack smart for the whole family

Family trips often require a bit more planning. When packing for both children and adults, it can be helpful to choose bags with practical storage and space for the items you’ll use most during the journey.

With well-designed compartments for passports, snacks, a change of clothes, electronics and other travel essentials, it becomes easier to keep track of the family’s belongings throughout the trip.

This means less time spent looking for what you need and more peace of mind along the way – whether you're off on a weekend break, a city break or a summer holiday.

Choose the right suitcase set

Before you start packing, it might be a good idea to make a plan for how to divide up the family’s luggage. For most families, a combination of one large suitcase and one medium-sized suitcase works well for a trip of a week or two.

A large 28" suitcase can hold most of the family’s clothes and travel essentials, whilst a 20" or 24" suitcase is perfect for shoes, spare clothes, beach gear and items you’d like to have close at hand.

If you’re travelling with young children, it might also be a good idea to set aside a suitcase or bag containing mainly the children’s things. When clothes, toys and other essentials are all kept in one place, it’s easier to find what you need without having to rummage through all your luggage.

Tips for organising the family’s luggage

– Use packing cubes to sort each family member’s clothes.

– Keep your swimwear separate in a water-resistant bag or a dedicated compartment to keep the rest of your luggage dry.

– Pack an extra change of clothes for each child in your hand luggage, so you’re prepared for any unexpected situations along the way.

– Leave a little extra space in your suitcase for souvenirs, holiday purchases or other items you want to take home.

Packing for children: The essentials for each age group

Babies (0–2 years)

When travelling with a baby, focus on the daily essentials: nappies, wet wipes, a changing mat, breastfeeding equipment, bibs and a change of clothes are among the items many parents want to have close at hand during the journey. It can also be handy to pack a couple of extra changes of clothes in your hand luggage for any unforeseen circumstances.

Young children (2–5 years)

When travelling with young children, it’s often a question of packing for both activity and comfort. Clothes suitable for changeable weather, swimwear, a light jumper for cooler evenings and some entertainment for the journey can make the trip more manageable for both children and adults.

Older children (6–12 years)

Older children can often help pack their own things. Clothes, swimwear, books, headphones and other personal favourites are usually enough to cover their needs on holiday. A separate bag for electronics, entertainment and travel essentials can also make it easier to keep track of things along the way.

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Tips for flying with children

Packing your hand luggage carefully can make flying a much smoother experience for the whole family. Make sure you have the essentials within easy reach so you’re prepared for both waiting times and any unexpected situations that may arise along the way.

It can be useful to pack the following in your hand luggage:

– Snacks and drinks for the journey

– Entertainment such as books, games or tablets

– An extra change of clothes for the children

– Travel documents and passports

– Chargers and other essential electronic accessories

When you have all the essentials in one place, it’s easier to find what you need throughout your journey.

Frequently asked questions

Children fly for free or at a significantly reduced fare until they turn 2, provided they sit on an adult’s lap during the journey. The exact conditions vary slightly from airline to airline. Remember to check the details with your chosen airline to find out what applies when travelling with children.

Yes, it is generally permitted to bring baby food, infant formula and breast milk onto the plane. These items are exempt from the 100 ml rule for liquids in hand luggage and may be brought in sufficient quantities to last the entire flight. You may need to present the items separately at security and, if necessary, explain that they are required during the journey. Keeping the baby food easily accessible in your hand luggage, along with the original packaging or unbroken seals, can make the security check smoother.