I’ve been writing packing lists for my kids for years. I initially made a list for myself so I wouldn’t forget anything, but I started writing ones for the kids as they got old enough to pack themselves. I wanted them to be accountable for their packing so I’d write nearly two identical lists to distribute. It’s become such a helpful tool that the kids always ask for one before every trip.

After years of handwriting the same list more than once, I realized I could streamline the process by making a digital version to fit what I was looking for. My version is designed to be easy to read, quick to print, and has two lists per page. It’s minimal at its finest and not the prettiest, but it works.

So far, this general list has been good for nearly all of our trips (international, road trips, plane flights) and I adjust as needed before printing it off. Note that what works for some may not work for others. For example, this list is for a 4-5 day trip. While there are 4 tops listed, there are only 2 bottoms listed which some may want to adjust. For longer trips, plan on doing laundry during your trip and add laundry detergent to your list.

Feel free to use this as a template for your general packing needs! I hope it helps.

You can grab the free printable Google Docs file, make a copy, and edit as you need HERE.

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