The Checklist That Actually Works
We took a short trip up to Humboldt County in early September for a family wedding — the kind of trip that reminds you how much has changed and, somehow, how much hasn’t.
At home it was hot and dry, but a few hours north the air turned cool and coastal, fog curling through the redwoods and ocean mist rolling over everything.
Those forests always do something to me. The trees rise like cathedrals — older than time, rooted in mystery, and full of quiet stories. I always find myself wondering: what if they really used to talk and walk, like in The Lord of the Rings, but over time they decided we weren’t worth talking to?
Maybe they settled, slowly losing the ability to move or speak. I imagine them now — still watching, still thinking — and can’t help but wonder: what do they make of us now, wandering between them? Would they welcome our visits or wish they could squash us flat? What do they whisper about the fallen one beside them?
And then, somewhere between all that wonder and the hum of the ocean, I find myself right back in the practical: making sure everyone packed socks.
I’ve always found it easier to pack the perfect things for everyone except myself.
Somehow I can remember every hair clip, cord, book, and stuffed animal the kids might need — but my own essentials? Half the time I’m throwing things in a bag as we’re heading out the door.
We once forgot a stuffed animal on a trip to Disneyland. Not just any stuffed animal — the stuffed animal. My daughter’s beloved Violet, the programmable dog she couldn’t sleep without. Thank goodness for a nearby Target that carried the same one. While my husband and our friends kept her busy, I snuck into our rental house closet, programmed the new Violet, and tucked it into her bed before bedtime. She never knew the difference — not until five years later when we finally told her.
Somewhere between that trip and this one, I learned a simple truth: if I want a calm departure, I can’t be the only one packing.
🧳 The Checklist That Changed Everything
A few years ago, I found a printable packing list online. It was a great idea — but it didn’t have enough variety or detail for real family travel. So I made my own.
Each child got their own sheet with two simple columns: what and how many.
We’d fill it out together based on where we were going — beach, mountains, weekend, or wedding — and they’d pack their own bags. Then my husband or I would double-check before closing the zippers and loading them into the car.
It turned out to be one of the best systems we’ve ever used.
The kids learned responsibility, we saved time, and I finally had a little more mental space to think about my own bag.
Small system. Big calm.
Pro Tip: Print a few copies ahead of time, laminate them, and use a dry-erase marker so you can reuse the same sheet for every trip.
🪥 Making Packing Easier on Myself
Even with the checklist, I still tended to leave my own things for last.
Recently I solved that, too — I put together a travel-only toiletries bag. It stays packed with duplicates of everything I love and need, ready to grab at a moment’s notice. Every few months I switch out products to keep them fresh.
It’s such a small change, but it has made all the difference.
Sometimes the best “systems” aren’t fancy; they’re just acts of kindness toward your future self.
🌲 Back to Humboldt
That weekend in Humboldt reminded me of why these tiny systems matter.
Packing for two climates — hot and dry at home, cool and coastal there — used to overwhelm me. But now, the older two have their lists down to a science. They pack efficiently, check their items, and even help each other — reluctantly, of course. Communication at twelve and fourteen is an adventure all its own.
They don’t really need a checklist anymore — but that tool is engraved in their minds.
And someday soon, when our youngest hits that “I do it myself” phase, I’ll print one more checklist, hand him a crayon, and start the process all over again.
It’ll be chaotic, for sure — but the good kind of chaos.
🧾 Download: Family Trip Packing Checklist
Here’s a downloadable version of the packing checklist we’ve used for years — the one that taught my kids independence (and gave me back my sanity).
You can use it for weekends, vacations, or sports trips. Print one per child or keep a master version for the whole family.
📎 Related Posts
The Fourth Trimester
Infant Sleep Scedule
Christmas Shopping Rhythm
These lists aren’t really about packing.
They’re about creating a little more calm inside the moments that could easily become chaos.
They’re about giving kids independence, giving parents peace, and leaving a little more room to enjoy the adventure — whether it’s between redwoods, beside the ocean, or on a quick weekend road trip.
Traveling with kids doesn’t have to feel like chaos waiting to happen. A little structure, a little independence, and tools that actually help — that’s what makes the biggest difference. These packing lists grew out of our own family rhythms, and they’ve saved us on so many trips. My kids love taking ownership of their own bags, and I love the quiet confidence that comes from knowing nothing important got left behind.
If you’re heading out on vacation soon — or even just sending littles to a sleepover — I hope these printables make your days a little smoother and you’re planning a little lighter.
Author’s Note
I created these packing lists during a season when my older kids were determined to “do it themselves,” and honestly — I loved watching their confidence grow. What started as a simple laminated checklist turned into a small family ritual we still use today. My hope is that this printable gives your home a little more ease, a little more independence, and maybe even a moment of peace while everyone gets ready to go.
Thanks for being here, and for letting me share pieces of what makes our family rhythm work.
This Wilderness Our Home 
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