Packing Carry-On Only Bags for Family Travel

When I showed glimpses of the carry-on only luggage that our family took to the Tiny French Farmhouse this summer, I received a cascade of unanticipated comments and questions: “How?” “Impossible.” “Packing list, please.”

First and foremost, we have somewhat of a cheat when it comes to packing for this particular destination, as the farmhouse is our home and we plan to leave items there over time for increasingly lighter packing in the future. However, since this was only our second visit — and three out of four of us have VERY different bodies and needs than we did the last trip — these were pretty much fully packed bags. 

Since most of us are operating on minimal mental bandwidth these days, I’m breaking down what/how we packed into simplified categories below:

BAGS

• 3 backpacks:

  • 35L Yeti

  • 35L Target bag

  • ~25L juvenile overnight-style backpack (I wouldn’t recommend the one we have — but this one would’ve worked better.)

• 1 kid’s ride-along convertible suitcase / seat extender

• 1 washable paper catch-all Palermo tote by UASHMAMA for miscellaneous overflow items

• Baby Carrier Mini, in lieu of a stroller (Note: our youngest is small — please read specifications to find a carrier that suits your child.)

BOOKS

• While I prefer hard-copy books, Adam and I use an e-reader for travel

• For our baby/toddler: Indestructibles (lightweight, slim, flexible, waterproof)

• For our young reader, paperback library books / series selected for content AND weight/size

FOOD + BEVERAGE

• 2 Stojo adult collapsible bottles, latched to backpacks with carabiners

• 2 Stojo children’s collapsible bottles, latched to backpacks with carabiners

• 1 Stojo collapsible, lidded bowl/to-go container

• 4 Sets of to-go cutlery with straws and washable napkins (minus the matching knives

• 1 Set of beeswax cloths 

FOOTWEAR

I find that shoes from the following brands usually travel + wash well, as they’re slim but sturdy and flexible:

• Rothy’s

• AllBirds

• Bensimon

• FEIT slippers

Note: Rothy’s — both the men’s and women’s styles — are also versatile for dressing either up or down.

TOILETRIES

• Shampoo + conditioner bar

• Charcoal + tea tree bar

• Vintner’s Daughter signature set

• All-age tin of sunscreen

• Toothpaste tablets

• Travel first aid kit

• One shared travel-sized bamboo brush

• Menstrual cup

• LastSawb ear swab

• Cadence magnetic honeycombs for smaller/specialty liquids.

• A clear Stasher bag for all bottles, for easier TSA inspection when required. We then wash and use the bag for other things while abroad.

Above: A TSA-approved size bottle of multi-use Branch Basics cleaner from concentrate for use as detergent and more

TECH

We kept our tech to a minimum, editing cords and plugs and sharing as much as possible between necessary devices. We use a portable, zip-around cord book / organizer to keep everything streamlined. 

TOYS

We repurposed small canvas pouches and reusable clear baggies to further organize and corral figurines, activities for fine motor skills, reusable-sticker books, and art supplies. All the pouches fit in the ride-along case with room to spare, since everything becomes undone in travel and needs to fit pell-mell, too. Once in France, we use the pouches and baggies to syphon off activities for car rides and unexpected waits while out-and-about. 

CLOTHES + OUTERWEAR

This is so specific to preference, region, time of year and individual needs that I see no point in getting TOO specific. But since we knew we’d be able to wash our clothes, we only needed the following:

• A TSA-approved size bottle of multi-use Branch Basics cleaner from concentrate for use as detergent and more

• 3 days worth of outfits each

• 1 overnight outfit each

• Specialty gear like swimsuits and water-repellent jackets