Our Family Travel Must-Haves

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Over the years, we’ve learned that traveling as a family of six isn’t just about where we’re going—it’s about how we get there. A smooth trip usually comes down to being prepared (and maybe a little overprepared). After plenty of road trips, beach getaways, Disney days, and everything in between, these are the must-haves that always make it into our bags.

Snacks Save the Day

We learned early on that hungry kids can turn a fun drive into a not-so-fun one pretty quickly. Now, before every trip, we load up a cooler with fruit, granola bars, crackers, and plenty of water bottles. The kids love having choices, and we love avoiding the “I’m starving!” chorus when we’re still hours away from our destination.

Staying Organized

Packing cubes were a game-changer for us. With six people, it used to feel like clothes exploded out of every bag the minute we arrived somewhere. Now each person has their own cube, and unpacking is a breeze. A hanging bag to stick on the back of the bathroom door is also a must. It keeps the counters clean and clear from clutter because it can fill up quick! A simple first aid kit has also saved us more than once—from scraped knees at the beach to headaches after a long day in the sun.

Another lifesaver? A luggage scale. It may sound small, but when you’re packing for six people, those airline weight limits can sneak up on you fast. Having a scale in our bag has saved us from stressful (and expensive) repacking sessions at the airport.

Powering the Adventure

Between phones, tablets, cameras, and portable fans at Disney, keeping everything charged is its own full-time job. That’s why we always pack a multi-cord phone charger—one plug that can charge multiple devices at once. It cuts down on the mess of cables and makes sure no one has to fight over an outlet. A couple of portable chargers are always along for the ride too, because magical moments don’t wait for a battery to recharge.

Traveling with a big family isn’t always simple, but it’s always worth it. With the right essentials in tow, the little hiccups along the way become part of the adventure—and we wouldn’t trade it for anything. Check out more of our favorite essentials on our amazon store front on the link at the top of the page.