Family vacations can be fun…and a little crazy. So the last thing you want to do is leave something important at home! Use this free printable vacation packing list to be certain all the essentials make it on your next trip! 

The links below may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small compensation at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure policy here. 

Last month we took a ten day road trip through Georgia and Florida to visit with friends and family. I grew up in Georgia and it is always especially nostalgic and significant for me to go back to my hometown and visit.

For the Georgia part of this trip, we stayed with my best friend of eighteen years and spent one day visiting my grandmother in a nearby city. After four days in Georgia we headed down to Florida to stay with my mom and visit the beach, Legoland, and other Florida favorites.

Overall, our trip was a huge success and we all had a great time. Despite a few hiccups and the normal struggles of being in the car for 8-10 hours on the long drive days, we have added to our memory banks and nourished relationships that are important to us.

I shared some favorite pictures from our trip at the bottom of this post, and you can also check out the newest video on YouTube– a super fun highlight reel from our trip! 

Family Vacation Packing List

One of the reasons our trip was a great success was that we had everything we needed— and everything was organized and available as needed thanks to a little preparation and a handy vacation packing checking list.

True to form, I created a printable to help me organize and stay on track. Lists and printables are my jam! I make them for anything important because mom brain is real and keeping up with everything is impossible.

The Family Vacation Packing List is organized by rooms of the house, and each category has spaces for your own personalized additions.

The packing list is generic enough for any kind of vacation. Heading to the beach? Add beach towels, sand toys, chairs, etc in the “Other” category.

If you need a packing list specific to camping, you can get a Family Camping Packing List here. 

DOWNLOAD THE FAMILY VACATION PACKING LIST

Bonus Packing Tips and Tricks

We were able to get everything we needed for our ten day trip for our family of seven in our Honda Odyssey minivan.

Does that picture stress you out a little? We were packed full, but we did it!

PACKING TIPS :: 

• Set out baskets (I like to use laundry baskets) the week before your trip and begin to set apart items you will need on your trip. This helps to reduce the last minute scrambling and gives you a designated spot to keep trip items organized.
• Pack clothes minimally. You are almost guaranteed to have access to a washer and dryer wherever you travel. (Except for camping, which is a different ballgame). A few bottoms, 5-6 tops, then socks/underwear and any special clothes you may need (bathing suits, church clothes, etc).
• As much as possible, use bags to keep items sorted by category. (see picture below)  Electronics/chargers/appliances. Toiletries. Toys. Linens. You will know exactly where to find what you need, and be able to pack bags in the van according to when you will need it available.
• Pack toys that are open-ended and can be played with a variety of ways during your trip. (See this post for a great list of open-ended toys that are great for kids of all ages). Bring along library books, or books that haven’t been read recently.
• Keep food and healthy snacks accessible while you are on the road. Keep a cooler with cold drinks and water bottles within reach in the car. (We love this insulated backpack!)
• Print out the packing checklist and check it twice!

Georgia/Florida Road Trip Highlights

Here are some of my favorite moments from our trip. We had a great time visiting with friends and family!

If you want to see more of our trip, head over to YouTube to watch our trip video! 

One of the first things we did on our trip was spend the day with my grandmother. It was such a special day for me to be in the house that I spent so much of my childhood in, and to share my grandmother and her home with my children. We don’t get to visit often, so I’m very thankful for the memories!

We spent a few wonderful days visiting with my best friend and her family in Georgia. We’ve been friends for 18 years, and even though we only get to spend time face-to-face about once a year, we always pick up right where we left off.

Our kids are all about the same ages too, which makes visiting a fun time for everyone.

Relaxing like a mother.

This pop-up play pen was a LIFESAVER at the beach! Highly recommend for babies and toddler, at the beach, park, or wherever you need to keep a little one safely contained.

There was one more big thing we did while we were on vacation, but I’m saving that for a post of its own! #legoland

If you use this printable packing list and share pics of your vacation, be sure to tag @thispilgrimlife on social media. I’d love to see! Or if you wanted to message directly, shoot me an email at thispilgrimlife@gmail.com.

Hope your spring and summers are full of fun and travel with your families! 

Sharing is caring! Don’t forget to pin and share. Thank you!

More like this ::