Packing List for Tweens (8-12 years old) with Printable

As your children grow their needs and wants change.  As every need and want alter’s you make adjustments.  The same applies to what to include on your travel packing list for tweens, it is no longer the same as what you once packed for your toddler or pre-schooler.

Tweens are those years where your little one turns into a big kid, yet hasn’t reached those teenage years.  These older kids aged between 8 to 12 years are in the pre-teen stage known as tweens.

If you’re anything like me, you are learning that your child is turning into quite the big kid.  Whilst your older child may not have reached the rebellious and self-sufficient teen, they are becoming more independent and certainly not wanting to have anything attached to themselves that resembles those pre-school years.

So when preparing for your family trip you now need to alter your thinking as to what to include in your tweens packing list, making it appropriate for your big kid.

In this Article on Packing for Tweens You Will Learn:


A pre-teens travel packing list for family trips
Please share this with your family and friends

This post by Tips 4 Trips contains affiliate links*.  This means I may receive a small commission if you click on these links. Learn more at the bottom of this post.

Encourage Your Pre-Teen to Pack for Themselves

You may have already noticed that your child has grown and developed they have wanted to become more involved in the whole travel planning process.  Your big kid may want to have a say about the preferred facilities at the accommodation and what types of day trips the family should embark upon.  Encourage this involvement and expand upon it by helping your tween to create packing lists.  You may want to give them a little bit of a helping hand by grabbing a copy of the

Ask your child to write down what they would like to include in their hand luggage bag or go-to activity bag during a road trip (refer below for items to include).  Then ask them to write a list of toiletries, medical items and clothing.

Encourage your pre-teen to start the packing process for themselves.  If you are concerned that your child may forget to include something ask them to lay everything out on the bed so you can tick off the list together before they pack their bags.

Advertisements

Top Trip Tip: If your older child shows no interest in travel planning or packing – don’t force it.  They are still a child there’s plenty more time to get them to be responsible in their teenage years.  Remember it’s meant to be a family trip, not a military exercise.

Carry On Hand Luggage for Tweens

When packing your tweens hand luggage start by getting them their own carry-on bag*.

If they had a really cute kiddie bag, it’s time to upgrade – either they are now too tall to reach the handle or it looks too “baby”.  Try to find something cool and funky that will take them well into their teenage years.  Depending on your child’s personality you may want to choose either a day backpack or a roll-on cabin bag.

Find all the options for the best

Top Trip Tip: Prior to purchasing new carry-on luggage don’t forget to check luggage dimensions allowed on your airline

Activities for your tweens carry-on luggage

Activites to keep tweens amused on a family holiday
Activities to include in your pre-teen’s hand carry-on luggage

The actual individual choices for these come down to your child’s personal preferences.  Try to stick to a few similar tactics you used when you packed for your baby or toddler.  Buy a new book, activity books and even a toy just all age-appropriate.

Most pre-teens will want variations of the following items:

Extras for your tweens hand carry

Just because your child is getting older doesn’t necessarily mean the “I’m hungry’s” and anxieties have stopped.  Pack a few kids’ essentials to get you through those moments.

  • A few snacks
  • Snuggle friend
  • Warm jacket
  • Possibly hygiene products for your girl.  I wish to thank Traveling Mom for this suggestion.  I don’t have a girl and hadn’t thought of this situation without her forethought.
  • Any other extras like tissues and antibacterial wipes I would probably include in your own hand-carry for all the family to use.

Top Trip Tip: Think of the carry-on bag as the go-to activity bag with a few extras for flights or road trips

A General Travel Packing List for Tweens

A tweens clothing packing list for travel and trips
A clothing packing list for tweens.
Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay

Clothing for your trip

When packing clothing for a trip I like to pack a maximum of one week’s worth of clothing.  If travelling for longer you can either locate a laundrette or hand wash – oh the joys of travel.

Essential clothing to pack not only for your tween but yourself as well includes:

  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Shorts/skirts
  • Long pants
  • Shirts
  • Good pants/skirt and top or a dress (for dinner)

Shoes

Shoes take up a lot of space in your travel packing so try to limit the amount you pack.  Shoes are also dirty so wrap them in plastic bags or special travel packing cubes*.

  • Runners
  • Thongs/flipflops
  • All-terrain shoes/sandals
  • Best shoes (1 pair only)

Special activity gear

Special activity gear refers to outfitting your child for specific activities or functions you will be attending whilst away.

Top Trip Tip: For a cheap alternative to packing cells/cubes use ziplock bags to organise your travel packing and keep items clean and safe

  • Swimsuit
  • Outfit for function
  • Ski gear

Toiletries List for Kids

A pre-teens toiletry packing list
A toiletries list for pre-teens

When starting out with packing toiletries for your tween you may want to get your child their own toiletry bag*.  Again something fun and funky.  Remember that the toiletry bag should be packed into your check luggage as many items cannot be taken on board a flight for security reasons.

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Hairbrush and comb
  • Nail clippers and or nail file
  • Shower gel or soap
  • Deodorant
  • Sanitary items for girls – even if your girl hasn’t started yet, it may be wise to have a small pack just in case.

Top Trip Tip: Don’t forget many of these items can be shared either with siblings if not the entire family.  By packing only one tube of toothpaste, one set of shampoo and conditioner bottles can help you to pack lighter as a family.

Tweens Medical Travel Items

A medical and first aid packing list for older kids when they travel
A medical and first aid packing list for older kids

Sadly family trips are rarely event free.  There’s usually some sort of cut, scape or just a headache eventuates.  I would highly recommend that as a family you pack an essential first aid kit.  However, there are a few extra medical items to pack just for your tween as many of these items need to be age-appropriate.

  • Paracetamol
  • Antihistamine
  • Prescription medication
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen

Top Trip Tip: If taking prescription medication to ensure to include a copy of the script or letter from your doctor

A Final Word on Packing for a Tween on a Family Trip

Remember packing for your tween for a family vacation doesn’t have to be extra tricky.  It’s just a few extra age-appropriate items to include in your general trip packing list plus choosing activities that suit YOUR child.

You may also find this helpful

Don’t forget to grab a copy of the free printable download of the tweens packing list so your pre-teen can start their own trip packing.

Continue Packing for the Family

⇓  PIN THIS  ⇓

DISCLOSURE:

  • Featured Image and PIN Image Credit: Photo by Tim Gouw from Pexels
  • PIN Image Credit: Photo by Rachel on Unsplash
  • As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
  • Additional Affiliate links*
    • This means I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using this link, however it does not cost you any extra to purchase through these links.
    • For more information please visit my Disclaimer Page and Privacy Policy.

Similar Posts

2 Comments

  1. Mikki Behner says:

    I signed up for you thing so I could get a printable and it still won’t give it to me

    1. Hi Mikki,

      I am not sure why you have not received the email with the link to the Packing checklists (I can see that you have subscribed).

      I have replied to you with an email that includes the link to the checklists.

      All the best for your up and coming trip
      Sally

Comments are closed.