Minimalist Packing with Kids: What We Actually Bring for Long-Term Travel
Spoiler: It’s less than you think — and more freeing than we expected.
The Myth of “Minimalism” and the Reality of Kids
Before we started prepping for a year of travel through Latin America, we’d see minimalist travel posts and think:
“That’s cool… but not for families.”
Turns out? It is.
Not in the “one-bag ultralight guru” way. But in a practical, family-friendly, real-life kind of way.
This is how we embraced minimalist packing without losing our minds (or the essentials). Because the less you carry, the more you notice — and that’s why we’re doing this whole thing.
The Mindset: Why We Chose to Pack Less
For us, minimalist packing is about freedom, not suffering.
We didn’t want:
To spend 30 minutes each morning digging through bags
To haul suitcases up bus steps or cobblestone streets
To have kids meltdown while we searched for the one lost sock buried somewhere
Instead, we wanted:
Quick pack-ups
Flexible movement
Mental space for the actual experience—not just managing stuff
So we asked:
“Do we really need this?”
If the answer wasn’t a solid yes, it didn’t come.
Start small. Repack often. Be honest about what you really use.
How Each Family Member Packs (And Carries)
This part changed everything. Instead of packing for our kids, we packed with them and gave each person a role.
The Adults:
Each has:
1 backpack (40–45L max)
Packing cubes for clothes, tech, and toiletries
5 outfits, 1 warm layer, 1 rain shell
Shared work gear (laptop, cords, cameras)
We each get about half the bag. And every item has to “earn” its weight.
The Kids:
Each has:
1 small backpack (15–20L)
4–5 outfits
A tiny pouch of toys + coloring stuff
One cuddly toy or comfort item
Water bottle + headphones
They help pack and repack. And weirdly? They love it. Because it’s their stuff. They’re in charge of it.
What “Travel Light” Actually Means for Families
Here’s the real talk:
Travel light doesn’t mean traveling without.
It means bringing only what you’ll actually use.
What it doesn’t mean:
You live in the same shirt for 10 days (unless you want to)
You deprive kids of comfort or joy
You ditch health or safety gear
It does mean:
Choosing versatile, fast-drying clothes
Planning to do laundry every 5–7 days
Sharing more (like toiletries, chargers, notebooks)
Trusting you can buy what you need if you need it
Our Personal Packing Rules (That Helped Us Slim Down)
Everything must be washable, wearable, and layer-able.
Each item gets a purpose (or two). No “just in case” gear.
Every bag must be carry-able by its owner. If it’s too heavy, we’re overpacked.
Once it goes unused for a month — it’s gone.
Always leave 10–20% space empty. You will buy something on the road.
Stuff We Skipped (Without Regret)
Multiple pairs of shoes (one for walking, one for play)
Full-sized toiletries
Excess “entertainment” for the kids (hello nature + local toys!)
Fancy clothes
Travel gadgets we thought we’d use but never did
And you know what? We haven’t missed any of it.
Why Packing Less = Experiencing More
This one surprised us.
With less stuff:
We find things faster
We spend less time organizing
We’re less stressed about forgetting or losing something
The kids get used to reusing, rewearing, and letting go
- Its good for the mind
And we’ve found that presence, being where we are, with who we’re with grows when we’re not managing a mountain of stuff.
Final Thoughts: You Can Do It Too
If you’ve ever wondered whether minimalist packing is realistic for a family:
It is. It just takes a mindset shift and a willingness to do things differently.
Start small. Repack often. Be honest about what you really use.
You don’t need more space. You need fewer decisions.
Follow @TravelVentureFour for real-time packing wins, fails, and slow travel family life.
