Packing with Kids | A Packing List for Teens

Packing List for Teens – Sanity Saver!

Packing with kids for a family trip can be really frustrating sometimes!  Can’t it? It’s so overwhelming remembering every last item for each kid. Sometimes it can even make you ask, “Is this trip really worth all the hassle?” I’ve been there! I’ve packed so many suitcases, and early on asked myself the same question. Now that the kids are older it’s time to get them doing their own packing with a packing list for teens.

Like you, I needed an ultimate packing list for teens! And if it had a packing tutorial to teach kids how to pack their own carry-on, then it would be an absolute winner, right?!

I’ve got the ultimate packing tutorial waiting just for you! It has saved my sanity!  

Learn To Pack Less & Travel More.

Early on in our family travel adventures, I created this packing list just for our family. It was tailored to our needs and travel style. I started using the Packing With Kids packing tutorial when my daughter was a newborn (she was 5 months old for our first European family vacation with her).

As the kids grew up,   I realized my kids could do their own packing! It was so liberating! So, I modified the packing strategy to teach them how to pack their own carry-on! Now, with a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old, I don’t even supervise the packing anymore! In fact, I don’t even hand the packing list for teens. They have it memorized.

I can honestly say that my kids carry what they pack.  We’ve had several chats about what we “NEED” and what we “WANT” in our suitcase.  We do our best to keep it simple so we can be footloose and fancy-free even with our luggage in tow. Older kids are actually or likely to overpack than younger kids, so make sure the important items get on the top of your teen’s packing list. >>

How much should be on Your Packing List for Teens

Most trips only require a week’s worth of clothes. In fact, if you are able to wash a few things every few days, you could take even less. My top tip for making the best use of space is to make sure that your teenagers use packing cubes. They save so much space and are perfect for allowing your teenage girl to justify more outfits on their travel packing list. Just let her know whatever fits in the cubes in their own suitcase is allowable.

This simple packing tool works like a dream when we pack for all our family travel destinations. We were even able to take all our luggage to a Dublin museum on our last day before we headed for the airport.  You can’t do that with checked baggage! It’s just too bulky to fit in the museum lockers available for storage while you enjoy (and not damage the exhibits).

Typical teen packing list

The basics that need to fit in a carry-on for your teens are:

• personal items like medication and travel documents, and of course underwear and deodorant
• Smart phone & battery pack (make sure they are accessible for scanning at security), noise-cancelling wireless headphones, charger cord
• Two pairs of long pants (plus 1 pair to wear whilst traveling)
• Swim suit (towels are bulky borrow or buy at your destination)
• Beach dress or casual skirt for teen girls and 1 pair of shorts (unless you will be wearing shorts daily, then swap shorts and pants numbers)
• Light Jacket
• Pair of sandals and a pair of comfortable shoes for walking

Traveling light with just hand luggage is a great way to keep traveling simple. Whether you are visiting national parks with family members or taking your first trip abroad, you’ll want to use vacation packing lists that match up with the type of trip you are taking and the season you are traveling in. Fitting it all in a carry-on will ensure your travel experiences get off to a good start by just including the basic things you need in your packing process.

Your packing list for teens may also include things like water bottles and a sleeping bag, sunscreen, or a first aid kit, but trying to only pack a carry-on bag may require your teen to pick up these items when they get to their final destination.

Plan ahead with your Packing List for Teens

The first step in planning for that long day of travel is to ensure you have the travel essentials like lip balm or chapstick, a travel journal, and card games like a set of Uno cards. Because getting stuck in an airport during a long journey requires you to make the best of a difficult situation. Many of the items above would be considered road trip essentials as well and possibly even summer camp with a few modifications.

You need the Packing With Kids packing tutorial if you want to:

1. Promote independence, ownership, and responsibility in your family.
2. Create an opportunity to teach life skills and teach minimalist living.
3. Delegate packing, so YOU can do more exciting things like plan an Ultimate UK trip for your family.

Packing List for Teens Free Download

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