Amy’s Ultimate Packing List for Traveling with Three Kids
Traveling with one child can feel like moving a small apartment.
With three? You need strategy, not just luggage space. This is my go-to packing list after years of juggling strollers, snacks, and souvenirs.
1. Essentials
- 🛂 Passports / IDs (and copies)
- 📄 Travel documents & reservations (digital + printed)
- 💳 Wallet with cash & cards
- 📱 Phones, chargers, power bank
- 🧴 Hand sanitizer & disinfectant wipe
- 🩹 Mini first-aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, children’s meds)
2. Clothing
(Per person — adjust for trip length & laundry availability)
- 👕 4–5 shirts
- 👖 2–3 pants/shorts
- 👗 1–2 dresses (if applicable)
- 🧥 Light jacket or hoodie
- 🧦 Socks & underwear for each day + 2 extras
- 👒 Sun hat / cap
- 👙 Swimsuit & cover-up
- 🩴 Flip-flops or water shoes
- 👟 Comfortable walking shoes
Pro Tip: Roll clothes & pack each child’s outfit in labeled gallon bags — quick grabs and no outfit debates.
3. Toiletries
- 🪥 Toothbrushes, toothpaste (kid + adult)
- 🧴 Shampoo/conditioner (travel size)
- 🧼 Soap/body wash
- 🪮 Hairbrush/comb & hair ties
- 🌞 Sunscreen (reef-safe if hitting the beach)
- 🦟 Insect repellent (kid-safe formula)
- 🚿 Travel towel (quick-dry)
4. Baby/Toddler Gear (if applicable)
- 🍼 Bottles, sippy cups
- 🧸 Comfort item (blanket, stuffed animal)
- 👶 Diapers, wipes, diaper cream
- 🚼 Travel changing pad
- 🍽 Plastic utensils & bibs
- 🪑 Portable booster/high chair
- 🚗 Car seat(s) — check airline policy for flights
6. Entertainment & Comfort
- Books & small toys
- Coloring books, crayons, stickers
- Small puzzles or travel games
- Headphones & tablets with preloaded shows/games
- Neck pillows & small blankets
- Charging cables for all devices
7. “In Case of Emergency” Bag
- Band-aids & child-safe pain relief
- Any prescription meds
- Change of clothes for each child in a separate bag
- Reusable water bottles
- Compact rain jackets or ponchos
Amy’s Travel Mom Tip:
Rolling is also perfect for road trips — you can fit an entire weekend’s outfits for three kids in one small duffel bag without feeling like you’re hauling your whole house.
How to Travel a Discount Airline Like a Pro
TIPS FROM AMY
Flying a discount airline like Frontier or Spirit doesn’t have to mean stress, surprise fees, or cramming your life into a bag that barely fits under the seat. Over the years, I’ve learned how to travel these airlines strategically, avoiding baggage fees while staying comfortable — even when traveling with a family.
Here are my three must-know tips for flying budget airlines like a pro.
Master the Under-the-Seat Backpack
The Neck Roll Hack (This One Is a Game-Changer)
Wear the Bulk — and Use a Scotty Vest
The key to discount airline travel is the personal item. If you can make that work, you avoid the biggest fees altogether.
I always use a backpack that fits under the seat and meets airline size requirements:
- Frontier personal item: 18” x 14” x 8”
- Spirit personal item: 18” x 14” x 8”
The bag itself matters, but how you pack it matters even
The key to discount airline travel is the personal item. If you can make that work, you avoid the biggest fees altogether.
I always use a backpack that fits under the seat and meets airline size requirements:
- Frontier personal item: 18” x 14” x 8”
- Spirit personal item: 18” x 14” x 8”
The bag itself matters, but how you pack it matters even more. I roll my clothes tightly and use airtight compression packing bags to remove excess air. Rolling plus compression lets you fit far more than you’d expect — without risking a bag that won’t fit the sizer.
Pro tip: Soft-sided backpacks are your best friend. They compress if needed and are far less stressful at the gate.
See my choice on The Carry-On Guide.
Wear the Bulk — and Use a Scotty Vest
The Neck Roll Hack (This One Is a Game-Changer)
Wear the Bulk — and Use a Scotty Vest
Discount airlines don’t limit what you can wear, and that’s where layering becomes a superpower.
I always:
- Layer clothes (shirts, hoodies, lightweight coats)
- Carry blankets and neck pillows instead of packing them
- Wear a Scotty Vest coat — or any coat with lots of pockets
Those pockets are prime real estate. I stuff chargers, socks, underw
Discount airlines don’t limit what you can wear, and that’s where layering becomes a superpower.
I always:
- Layer clothes (shirts, hoodies, lightweight coats)
- Carry blankets and neck pillows instead of packing them
- Wear a Scotty Vest coat — or any coat with lots of pockets
Those pockets are prime real estate. I stuff chargers, socks, underwear, leggings, scarves — anything soft — into the vest pockets. It saves a shocking amount of space in your bag and keeps everything accessible.
Once you’re on the plane, you can take layers off and relax.
The Neck Roll Hack (This One Is a Game-Changer)
The Neck Roll Hack (This One Is a Game-Changer)
The Neck Roll Hack (This One Is a Game-Changer)
This is my favorite trick — and the one people are always shocked by.
Most neck pillows have removable foam. Take it out and use the cover as a packing tool. I roll clothing tightly and stuff it inside the neck roll.
On average, I can fit:
- 3–4 days of summer clothing, or
- 2 days of winter clothing
That's just the typical U-shaped ones! My ki
This is my favorite trick — and the one people are always shocked by.
Most neck pillows have removable foam. Take it out and use the cover as a packing tool. I roll clothing tightly and stuff it inside the neck roll.
On average, I can fit:
- 3–4 days of summer clothing, or
- 2 days of winter clothing
That's just the typical U-shaped ones! My kids often use regular pillows - and that is even more space - possibly a whole week of clothing!
That’s clothing that doesn’t take up any space in a backpack.
And here’s a bonus tip:
If you’re traveling somewhere you’ll need a beach towel (but note: most resorts provide them), bring one and use it as your blanket on the plane. It keeps you warm and saves even more bag space.
Budget Airlines Are a Skill — Not a Gamble
Flying discount airlines doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or preparedness — it just means packing smarter. With the right backpack, strategic layering, and a few pro-level hacks, you can travel light, skip baggage fees, and still have everything you need.
Once you master these techniques, budget airlines stop feeling stressful — and start feeling like a win.