Packing for a trip can elicit excitement and also dread. I am a last-minute packer and am often hit with that “ughhhhh, I don’t even know where to start”. Plus, let’s face it. When preparing for a family vacation, the bulk of the packing duty falls on mom. That running list you have going through your mind is called mental load. It’s invisible labor, and it is 1) overwhelming and 2) exhausting.
Somewhere along the line, I enlisted my kids to help with packing. I remember asking my son to pack his bag for a weeklong vacation. When I checked his progress, I discovered a suitcase jam-packed with Legos, random knickknacks from the yard, three t-shirts, and zero pairs of underwear. The lesson learned: you need to be very specific when instructing kids to pack. I mean, like super-duper specific. So, I’ve created these printable packing lists for kids. Print them out and slide them into sheet protectors. Use dry-erase markers to fill in the blanks and check off the boxes. Wipe clean and re-use for your next adventure. Plus, there are pictures, so they’re also helpful for littles. It’s fun getting the kids in on the planning and packing action. They become stakeholders in the process and turn into mini-bosses of vacation prep!
Printable Packing Lists for Kids
- There are boy and girl options.
- On the line next to each image, write how many of that item your kiddo needs to pack.
- Check off the box when that item has been packed.
- Voila! This has (hopefully) helped lighten your load a bit.
