Travelling with Children: A Complete Family Luggage Guide

Travelling with children transforms every aspect of the journey, and luggage is no exception. Children need more stuff than adults—changes of clothes for inevitable accidents, entertainment to survive long flights, comfort items to help them sleep in unfamiliar places, and all the gear that goes with whatever age they happen to be. Managing this volume of belongings while also managing the children themselves requires thoughtful planning and the right equipment.

This guide covers strategies for packing efficiently for family travel, choosing appropriate luggage for different ages, and practical tips for moving through airports and destinations with minimal stress.

Rethinking Family Luggage Strategy

The first mistake many families make is packing each family member's belongings in separate bags. While this seems logical, it creates problems when checked luggage goes astray. If the bag with all of one child's clothing is lost, you're in trouble.

A better approach is to distribute essential items across bags. Pack a change of clothes for each child in each checked bag. If any bag is delayed, every family member still has something to wear. This also prevents the logistical headache of one bag being significantly heavier than others.

Luggage by Age Group

Infants and Toddlers (0-3 years)

Travelling with babies and toddlers requires significant gear: nappies, formula or snacks, bottles, changes of clothes, comfort items, and often specialty equipment like portable beds or car seats.

Recommended approach:

• Use a dedicated nappy bag or baby backpack for in-flight essentials—this counts as a personal item on most airlines.
• Pack nappies and wipes in checked luggage rather than carrying your entire supply. You can buy more at your destination if needed.
• Consider a large, wheeled duffel for baby gear that doesn't fit in regular suitcases. These are easy to check and can hold bulky items.
• If using packing cubes, assign each child a specific colour to quickly identify their belongings.

Young Children (4-7 years)

At this age, children can begin to participate in managing their own luggage, though adults should remain responsible for essentials.

Recommended approach:

• Consider a small, lightweight rolling carry-on that children can wheel themselves. This gives them responsibility and frees your hands.
• Choose bags in bright colours or distinctive patterns that children can easily identify at baggage claim.
• Pack a child-specific activity bag for flights with entertainment, snacks, and a change of clothes.
• Teach children what's in their bag so they can find items independently.

Older Children and Teens (8+ years)

Older children should manage their own carry-on and help pack their belongings, though parents should still verify contents before departure.

Recommended approach:

• A standard carry-on bag sized for adult dimensions will serve them for years.
• Involve them in packing decisions—they're more likely to wear clothes they chose themselves.
• Give older children responsibility for their own entertainment and activity items.
• Consider backpacks for older children who might resist traditional luggage.

Packing Strategies for Families

Outfit Planning

For children, plan outfits rather than individual items. Roll or bundle together a complete outfit (shirt, pants, underwear, socks) so dressing is simple and ensures everything matches. For younger children especially, this prevents the battle over mismatched or inappropriate clothing choices.

Pack layers rather than heavy items. Children's temperature regulation differs from adults', and layers allow adjustment throughout the day and across different environments.

Managing Volume

Children don't need as much clothing as parents often pack. With access to laundry facilities, a week's worth of clothes suffices for any length of trip. Consider:

• Clothing that serves multiple purposes (shorts that work for swimming and regular wear).
• Quick-dry fabrics that can be washed in a hotel sink and dried overnight.
• One nicer outfit for special occasions; casual clothing for everyday.
• Compression bags to reduce bulk—particularly useful for bulky items like jumpers.

Entertainment and Comfort

Entertainment is as essential as clothing for travelling with children. However, it's easy to overpack activities. Be selective:

• Tablets or devices with downloaded content are highly efficient (multiple movies in the space of one paperback).
• Choose activities with high play value relative to space (small LEGO sets, colouring books, card games).
• One comfort item per child is sufficient—let them choose their most important one.
• New, novel activities hold attention longer than familiar ones; save new purchases for the journey.

Airport Navigation with Children

Airports present unique challenges for families. You're managing children, multiple bags, security procedures, and the stress of catching a flight. These strategies help:

Streamline Your Setup

The fewer individual items you're tracking, the better. Consider:

• A cart or trolley (available free at most Australian airports) to stack bags and reduce carrying.
• Carabiner clips to attach smaller bags to larger wheeled luggage.
• Backpacks rather than shoulder bags to keep hands free for holding children's hands.

Security Checkpoint Preparation

Security with children requires extra organisation:

• Keep liquids (including baby formula and medications) in an easily accessible pouch.
• Wear slip-on shoes and dress children similarly—laces take time.
• Have tablets and laptops ready to remove from bags quickly.
• Assign older children specific tasks (put your bag on the belt, walk through the scanner).

Boarding and In-Flight

Use priority boarding if offered to families. The extra time to settle children before crowded aisles form is valuable. Have the carry-on activity bag organised so items for the flight are easily accessible without rummaging.

Destination Considerations

How you'll use luggage at your destination matters as much as how you'll travel there:

• Resort stays: Large suitcases work well when you're unpacking in one location for the entire trip.
• Multi-destination trips: Lighter, more manoeuvrable bags are essential when you're constantly on the move.
• Road trips: Soft bags that can be stuffed into car boots and odd spaces are often more practical than rigid suitcases.
• Adventure travel: Durable backpacks or duffel bags handle rough conditions better than wheeled luggage.

Travelling with children is inherently more complex than travelling alone, but it doesn't have to be chaotic. With thoughtful luggage selection, strategic packing, and age-appropriate distribution of responsibility, family travel becomes manageable—and the memories you create together are worth every extra bag you carry.