Summer is almost here! What are you planning to do for your summer vacation?

Just the thought of packing can send some people into a tailspin. Just packing for yourself can feel overwhelming, and if you have kids, that adds even more to your load. But don’t let the thought of assembling items and possibly forgetting things stress you out.

There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of some remote place and not having a life jacket, sunscreen or other essentials. Relieve some of your vacation planning stress and read our family-friendly summer Vacation Packing Checklist.

Toiletries and First Aid List

• Thermometer and medication. Don’t be caught in the backwoods or in a hotel room late one night with a baby and a fever. Pack the thermometer and a fever-reducing medication appropriate to your child’s age.
• Bug spray and anti-histamine. Summer comes with loads of effervescent bugs. If you or your child has not been stung by a wasp yet, don’t take a risk and be caught without an anti-histamine.
• Basic First-Aid kit. You never know when a real injury could happen where you’ll need gauze and larger than normal band-aids.
• Sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher. For babies and those with sensitive skin, bring something a little more gentle.
• Aloe Vera is great to have on hand for days when the family receives a little too much sun.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hair comb
• Diapers and wipes for those with babies and toddlers toilet training. If you’re flying, don’t go too overboard as they take up room. You can always buy a pack when you arrive.

Water Clothing to Pack

• Swimsuits are the summer essential! If you have room, bring two per person. This way you can rotate them throughout the vacation and you’ll always have a dry set to put on.
• Towels. Pack a towel for each body heading on vacation. No more, no less.
• Water shoes are a must especially if heading to a river or ocean full of large pebbles and rocks.
• Life jackets are a must for kiddos that aren’t strong swimmers, and should be used in rivers regardless. Currents can be unpredictable, and not all ocean fronts have active lifeguards on duty.
• Extra plastic grocery bags to store wet clothing from place to place.
• Rope and pegs. If you’re camping, then toss in a rope and some pegs to hang the wet gear each night!
• Goggles so the kids can check out the underwater world.

General Clothing to Bring on Vacation

• A full brimmed hat is ideal for all summer locales and temperatures. Even on a cloudy day, sun gets through. But if you don’t own a full brim, then a baseball cap will do.
• Warm clothing. Mountain regions call for a range of clothing to cover various temperatures. Pack a beanie hat as well as a sweater for each person. It’s better to be prepared when the sun goes down.
• A rain jacket is a lightweight addition and good for breaking high winds, rain, and for trapping body heat at night to keep warm.
• Casual clothes. If you’re camping or glamping in a cabin, then keep the Sunday best clothing at home. Opt for old pajamas and track pants that are broken in and well worn. Kids get so dirty when camping, so pack clothing that’s comfortable.
• Shoes. Beach resorts and river towns are usually okay with kids showing up for dinner in flip flops. But be sure to pack a pair of sneakers for each child in case of impromptu hikes. If you’re heading on vacation to a city, then a nicer pair of shoes might look best while visiting museums, ball games, and restaurants.
• Undergarments. Bring enough underwear for one week, and then consider hand washing them if you need them for longer than 7 days. Do the same for socks. Even though they’re small, those little items can really bulk up. You’ll want to consider this especially if you’re flying.

Miscellaneous Travel Items

• Floating tube. Heading for a river? Bring or rent a floating tube!
• Lawn chairs for some good lounging on the coast.
• Flashlights are a great addition to pack whether you’re camping or not. Bring a headlamp if you have one.
• Video camera. The kids are growing fast, and you’ll look back on this footage with love and nostalgia down the line.
• Reusable water bottles. Use a carabiner to attach it to backpacks for easy carrying. This will save you from spending money on disposable bottles, and make it easy to stay hydrated.
• Quilt. Pack a quilt for picnics, staying warm, and any other impromptu reasons to lay on a hillside and relax.
• Passports and visas. If you’re heading international, don’t forget these important documents!
• Phone charger. While you can buy one on the road, it’s better just to have one with you.
• Favorite pillow. Make sure to bring a favorite pillow for fussy sleepers.