🧸 Family and children

Bottled water

Our rule: about three 16.9 oz bottles per person per day out and about.

3 bottles per person per day

Amazon search: “bottled water 16.9 oz 24 pack”

Breakfast cereal

Our rule: a box serves about 14 bowls.

Pancake mix

Our rule: one box per 20 servings.

Pizza

Our rule: about 3 slices each, 8 slices a pizza. Kids often eat less.

Amazon search: “frozen pizza”

Chips

Our rule: a family-size bag feeds about 6–7.

Amazon search: “chips variety pack”

Pretzels and crackers

Fresh fruit

2 pieces per person per day

Amazon search: “fruit”

Juice boxes

2 juice boxes per kid per day

Milk

Amazon search: “shelf stable milk”

Kids' water bottles

1 bottle per kid

Amazon search: “kids water bottle”

Paper plates

Our rule: one and a half per person per meal; people grab seconds.

1.5 plates per person per meal

Cups

2 cups per person per meal

Amazon search: “disposable cups”

Plastic utensils

1.5 sets per person per meal

Amazon search: “disposable cutlery set”

Napkins

3 napkins per person per meal

Bowls

Amazon search: “disposable bowls”

Sippy cups

2 cups per baby

Amazon search: “toddler sippy cup”

Wet wipes

Ready.gov lists moist towelettes.

5 wipes per person per day

Toothbrushes

Spares for guests who forget theirs.

1 toothbrush each

Bed pads

For beds and chairs during illness or recovery.

Amount varies

Amazon search: “disposable underpads”

Travel-size toiletries

1 set each

Amazon search: “travel size toiletries”

Allergy action kit

Carry prescribed epinephrine as the doctor says; check expiry dates.

Amount varies

Amazon search: “epipen carrying case”

Adhesive bandages

Band-Aid family variety pack, 120

Bandages in several sizes and types.

Good for: Home first aid

1 box for the group

Nasal aspirator

Frida Baby NoseFrida nasal aspirator

A tube-and-filter aspirator for stuffy baby noses.

Good for: Newborns

1 aspirator per baby

Children's pain and fever reliever

1 bottle for the group

Amazon search: “children's fever reducer”

Children's cold medicine

Follow the age and weight chart; ask a pediatrician for young children.

1 bottle for the group

Medicine dosing syringes

2 syringes for the group

Amazon search: “oral medicine syringe”

Kids' masks

5 masks per kid

Amazon search: “kids kn95 masks”

Sleeping bags

Coleman Brazos 20°F sleeping bag

A machine-washable bag rated to 20°F.

Good for: Spring and fall camping

1 sleeping bag each

Check the temperature rating for your nights.

Air mattress

SoundAsleep Dream Series queen air mattress

A raised queen air bed with a built-in pump.

Good for: Guests

Our rule: one queen mattress for two guests. Skip if you have beds.

Pillows

1 pillow each

Amazon search: “camping pillow”

Extra blankets

1 blanket each

Amazon search: “fleece blanket”

Life jackets

Pick a Coast Guard–approved jacket that fits each child's weight.

1 life jacket per kid

Amazon search: “kids life jacket coast guard approved”

Kids' sleeping bags

1 sleeping bag per kid

Amazon search: “kids sleeping bag”

Swim diapers

3 diapers per baby per day

Puddle jumper or swim vest

Not a substitute for watching swimmers.

1 vest per kid

Amazon search: “coast guard approved puddle jumper”

Sunscreen for kids

Amazon search: “kids mineral sunscreen”

Board games

2 games for the group

Amazon search: “family board games”

Card games

Ready.gov suggests activities for kids in a kit.

2 decks for the group

Amazon search: “card games for family”

Coloring books and crayons

1 set per kid

Travel activity books

1 book per kid

Amazon search: “kids travel activity book”

Beach toys

1 set per kid

Amazon search: “beach toys set”

Shin guards and mouthguards

1 set per kid

Amazon search: “youth shin guards”

Sports bag

1 bag per kid

Amazon search: “youth sports bag”

Baby food and formula

One day's supply per baby per day. Use what your baby already eats.

1 day's supply per baby per day

Amazon search: “baby formula”

Diapers

Our rule: about 8 a day for a baby; fewer for toddlers.

8 diapers per baby per day

Baby wipes

20 wipes per baby per day

Baby bodysuits

7 bodysuits per baby

Crib or bassinet

Use a firm, flat mattress that meets CPSC safety standards.

1 crib per baby

Amazon search: “bassinet”

Baby thermometer

Ask your pediatrician which kind to use and when to call.

1 thermometer for the group

Amazon search: “rectal thermometer baby”

Party favors

1 favor per kid

Amazon search: “party favors for kids”

Snack containers for kids

1 container per kid

Amazon search: “spill proof snack container”

Baby gate

Regalo Easy Step extra-tall walk-through gate

A tall gate for doorways. Not for the top of stairs.

Good for: Babies and toddlers

1 gate for the group

Printed contact list

Phone numbers on paper, plus parents' numbers for a sleepover.

1 list for the group

Amazon search: “waterproof id card holder”

Allergy and emergency info card

Ask each family about allergies before you shop.

1 card per kid

Amazon search: “medical alert card holder”

Cabinet locks

1 pack for the group

Amazon search: “child safety cabinet locks”

Furniture anchors

CPSC urges anchoring dressers and TVs.

1 kit for the group

Amazon search: “furniture anti tip kit”

Bike or scooter helmets

1 helmet per kid

Amazon search: “kids bike helmet”

Indoor thermometer and humidity monitor

ThermoPro TP50 indoor thermometer and humidity monitor

Shows room temperature and humidity at a glance.

Good for: Heat and cold checks

1 monitor for the group

Helps you notice when a room is getting too hot or cold for babies and older adults.

Kids' snow gear

1 set per kid

Amazon search: “kids snow pants”

Infant car seat

Never buy used without knowing the history. Check expiry and recalls.

1 seat per baby

Booster seat

Check your state's booster rules and the seat's height and weight limits.

Backpack

1 backpack per kid

Amazon search: “kids backpack”

Pencils

Check the school's own supply list first.

12 pencils per kid

Crayons or colored pencils

1 box per kid

Amazon search: “crayons 24 count”

Markers

1 pack per kid

Amazon search: “washable markers”

Glue sticks

4 glue sticks per kid

Kids' scissors

1 pair per kid

Amazon search: “kids safety scissors”

Lunchbox

1 lunchbox per kid

Amazon search: “kids lunch box”

Name labels

1 set per kid

Amazon search: “name labels for kids clothes”

Non-slip bath mat

1 mat for the group