Practical advice on packing kids’ gear for trips and days out, with smart choices that reduce stress, avoid common mistakes, and help prevent meltdowns.
Estimated read time: 4 minutes
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Packing kids' gear sounds simple until you're on day two of a trip and someone's crying because the "right" jumper isn't there, the tablet's flat, and their favourite snack is somehow back at home on the kitchen table.
I've packed for kids on weekend breaks, long-haul flights, soggy UK staycations, and full-on theme park days where you're out for 14 hours straight. The pattern's always the same. When you pack smart, days run smoother. When you don't, everything takes longer and tempers go quicker.
This isn't about packing more. It's about packing better.
Before anything goes in a bag, I think through a normal day on the trip. Wake-up, travel, activities, food, downtime, sleep. Kids don't melt down because they're "difficult". They melt down because they're cold, bored, hungry, overtired, or uncomfortable.
Usually more than one at once.
If you pack with that rhythm in mind, you cover most problems before they appear.
Kids don't need outfit options. They need comfort and predictability.
Soft layers beat bulky jumpers every time. A thin hoodie plus a light jacket gives you flexibility when the weather does its usual thing and changes its mind by lunchtime. Anything scratchy, stiff, or "only worn for photos" stays at home. It'll sit unused and somehow still end up causing an argument.
Pack one full spare outfit in your day bag, even for older kids. Accidents happen. Drinks spill. And sometimes they just sit on something weird.
Socks matter more than you think. Wet socks ruin moods fast.
If a pair of shoes isn't broken in, it doesn't come. Simple.
I've seen trips derailed by blisters before midday. Trainers that fit properly and have already done a few long walks are worth their weight in gold. Sandals are fine for hot weather, but only if they actually stay on and don't rub. Read our shoes guide for a more detailed insight.
And yes, pack plasters even if you think you won't need them. You will.
This is where most people under-pack.
Familiar snacks act like emotional reset buttons. When things go sideways, a known snack buys you calm and time. It doesn't have to be fancy. It just has to be something they already like.
I always pack:
And I keep it accessible. Digging through a rucksack while a child spirals is not the moment you want to discover everything's at the bottom.
That battered soft toy or threadbare blanket isn't clutter. It's insurance.
Even older kids benefit from something familiar when they're tired or overstimulated. I've watched a grumpy, overdone eight-year-old calm down in seconds just by having their hoodie with them. Familiar smells and textures matter more than we admit.
If space is tight, choose one comfort item and commit to it.
Screens can help. They can also backfire if you rely on them too heavily.
Download content in advance. Wi-Fi is never as reliable as you hope it'll be. Bring headphones that actually fit small heads. And carry a power bank that's already charged. Not one you meant to charge.
But also pack something low-tech. A small notebook. A pack of cards. Stickers. Something that doesn't beep or crash. When tech fails, having a backup avoids a full-on standoff.
These don't sound exciting, but they earn their place.
None of these take much space. All of them reduce friction.
I let kids choose a couple of things to pack themselves. One toy. One book. One "random" item they insist they need.
It gives them a sense of control, and they're more likely to cope when things feel unfamiliar. But I don't hand over the whole process. That's how you end up with five toys and no pyjamas.
Clear limits keep it calm.
If it's likely to cause stress when it's missing, it goes in the bag.
If it's likely to cause stress when it's used, it stays at home.
That rule's saved me more grief than any checklist ever has.
Packing kids' gear isn't about being perfect or prepared for every scenario. It's about smoothing the edges of the day so small problems don't turn into big ones. When kids are comfortable, fed, and feel a bit grounded, everything else gets easier.
And when that happens, the trip feels like a holiday rather than an endurance test.
Guide Updated: 8 January 2026