🧳 Travel and vacations

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”

Reusable water bottles

1 bottle each

Amazon search: “reusable water bottle”

Peanut butter

Our rule: one jar per person every two weeks.

Breakfast cereal

Our rule: a box serves about 14 bowls.

Sandwich meat

Amazon search: “deli lunch meat”

Chips

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

Amazon search: “chips variety pack”

Pretzels and crackers

Granola or protein bars

2 bars per person per day

Juice boxes

2 juice boxes per kid per day

Soda or sparkling water

Our rule: two cans each for a few hours.

2 cans each

Amazon search: “sparkling water variety pack”

Coffee

Our rule: a 12-ounce bag covers about 25 person-days.

Amazon search: “ground coffee”

Ice

Our rule: about a pound per person per day for drinks; more if the cooler holds food.

1 pound per person per day

Amazon search: “bagged ice”

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

Picnic blanket

Our rule: one blanket seats about four.

Amazon search: “waterproof picnic blanket”

Cooler

Coleman 62-quart wheeled cooler

A big wheeled cooler for camp, games and outages.

Good for: Camping and outages

Our rule: one large cooler for every six or seven people.

Ice packs

4 packs for the group

Amazon search: “reusable ice packs for cooler”

Food storage bags

1 box for the group

Amazon search: “zipper food storage bags”

Sippy cups

2 cups per baby

Amazon search: “toddler sippy cup”

Toilet paper

Our rule: about 3 rolls per person per week.

Facial tissues

Zip-top bags

Keep papers and phones dry.

1 box for the group

Amazon search: “gallon zipper bags”

Wet wipes

Ready.gov lists moist towelettes.

5 wipes per person per day

Portable toilet bags

For when toilets cannot flush. Ready.gov lists garbage bags and ties for sanitation.

1 bag per person per day

Amazon search: “portable toilet waste bags”

Disinfecting wipes

Clorox disinfecting wipes, 3 x 75

Three canisters of disinfecting wipes.

Good for: Cold and flu season

1 canister for the group

Laundry detergent

Our rule: a large container lasts one person about 100 days.

Laundry pods

Keep pods up high and away from kids.

Hand sanitizer

2 bottles for the group

Toothbrushes

Spares for guests who forget theirs.

1 toothbrush each

Toothpaste

Our rule: a tube lasts one person about 7 weeks.

Shampoo and body wash

Amazon search: “travel size shampoo body wash”

Deodorant

1 stick per adult

Feminine hygiene supplies

Ready.gov lists feminine supplies.

1 box per adult

Amazon search: “pads tampons”

Prescription medicines

Red Cross: a 7-day supply. Ask your prescriber or pharmacy what is possible.

1 one-week supply each

Amazon search: “weekly pill organizer”

Sunscreen

Our rule: an 8 oz bottle lasts about four person-days with reapplying.

Diabetes supplies

Test strips, lancets and glucose tabs. Ask the care team how much to keep.

Amount varies

Amazon search: “glucose tablets”

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

Bug spray

Sawyer 20% picaridin insect repellent

A picaridin spray for mosquitoes and ticks.

Good for: Camping and the yard

Our rule: one can for about four people.

Flashlights

GearLight S1000 rechargeable flashlights, 2-pack

Bright flashlights that charge by USB-C, so a power bank keeps them going.

Good for: Outages

1 flashlight each

One per person, so nobody is left in the dark.

Power bank

Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000mAh power bank

Pocket-size backup charging for a phone.

Good for: Everyday bag

1 power bank per adult

Car phone charger

Anker 323 car charger

Charges two phones at once: one USB-C, one USB-A.

Good for: Every car

2 chargers for the group

Large power bank (20,000 mAh)

Anker 20,000mAh power bank

Twice a pocket bank's capacity, with three ports.

Good for: Outages and family trips

Charging cables

2 cables for the group

Amazon search: “usb c charging cable”

Emergency blankets

Swiss Safe mylar emergency blankets, 4-pack

Light foil blankets for the car and go-bags.

Good for: Car and go-bag

1 blanket each

Shade canopy

CORE 10x10 instant canopy

A pop-up canopy with a wheeled carry bag.

Good for: Tournaments and tailgates

Our rule: a 10×10 canopy shades about ten.

Rain ponchos

1 poncho each

Beach umbrella

Beach towels

1 towel each

Camp chairs

Coleman quad chair with 4-can cooler

A padded folding chair with a cooler in the arm.

Good for: Sidelines and camp

1 chair each

Multi-tool

Gerber Suspension NXT multi-tool

Pliers, a knife and drivers in one pocket tool.

Good for: Go-bag and car

1 multi-tool for the group

Ready.gov lists a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.

Duct tape

Gorilla Tape, black, 2-pack

Thick, strong tape for quick repairs and sealing plastic.

Good for: Kits and repairs

1 roll for the group

Ready.gov lists plastic sheeting and duct tape.

Hats

1 hat each

Amazon search: “sun hat”

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”

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”

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”

Diaper cream

1 tube per baby

Bottles

4 bottles per baby

Amazon search: “baby bottles”

Travel crib

1 crib per baby

Amazon search: “travel crib pack and play”

Baby sunscreen and hat

Ask your pediatrician about sunscreen under 6 months.

1 set per baby

Amazon search: “baby sunscreen”

Spare baby clothes

2 outfits per baby

Amazon search: “baby outfit set”

Portable changing mat

1 mat for the group

Amazon search: “portable changing pad”

Diaper bag

1 bag for the group

Amazon search: “diaper bag backpack”

Pet food

One day's portion per pet per day. Ready.gov says to plan food and water for pets too.

1 day's portion per pet per day

Amazon search: “dog food”

Leash and ID tag

Ready.gov: keep ID and a current photo of your pet.

1 set per pet

Amazon search: “pet id tag”

Travel pet bowls

CrossMor collapsible dog bowls, 2-pack

Two silicone bowls that fold flat and clip to a bag.

Good for: Walks and trips

2 bowls per pet

Poop bags

Earth Rated poop bags, 315 unscented

Refill rolls of unscented bags.

Good for: Every walk

3 bags per pet per day

Dog harness

rabbitgoo no-pull harness

A padded harness with a front clip to reduce pulling.

Good for: Daily walks

1 harness per pet

Pet carrier or crate

1 carrier per pet

Pet medicines

1 supply per pet

Amazon search: “pet pill organizer”

Go-bag

Red Cross: a 3-day supply to take with you.

1 bag each

Amazon search: “emergency backpack”

Car emergency kit

First Secure car emergency kit

Jumper cables, an air compressor and first aid in one bag.

Good for: Trunk

1 kit for the group

Suitcases

Our rule: one checked bag for two people.

Carry-on bag

1 bag each

Amazon search: “carry on backpack”

Travel bottles (TSA size)

1 set each

Amazon search: “tsa approved travel bottles”

Clear toiletry bag

1 bag each

Amazon search: “clear toiletry bag tsa”

Snack containers for kids

1 container per kid

Amazon search: “spill proof snack container”

Document bag

Flypal fireproof document bag with lock, XL

Keeps IDs and papers together, ready to grab.

Good for: Go-bag

1 bag for the group

Copies of IDs, insurance and medical papers.

Cash in small bills

Ready.gov: card readers and ATMs may be down.

1 envelope for the group

Amazon search: “cash envelope wallet”

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”

Cooling towels

Mission Enduracool cooling towel

Cools when wet. Soak it again to reuse.

Good for: Hot days outside

1 towel each

Wide-brim sun hats

1 hat each

Amazon search: “wide brim sun hat”

Umbrellas

Amazon search: “compact umbrella”

Rain jackets

1 jacket each

Amazon search: “rain jacket”

Jumper cables

Energizer jumper cables, 20 ft, 4-gauge

Long, heavy-gauge cables with a carry bag.

Good for: Every car

1 set for the group

Portable jump starter

NOCO Boost GB40 jump starter

Starts a dead battery without a second car. Doubles as a USB charger.

Good for: Every car

1 jump starter for the group

Tire pressure gauge

AstroAI digital tire pressure gauge

An easy-to-read digital gauge with a lit nozzle.

Good for: Monthly tire checks

1 gauge for the group

Roadside warning triangles

Performance Tool W1498 warning triangles, 3-pack

Three reflective triangles in a case.

Good for: Breakdowns

1 set for the group

Pet car harness

Kurgo Tru-Fit car harness

A car harness that clips into the seat belt.

Good for: Road trips

1 harness per pet

Car blanket

2 blankets for the group

Amazon search: “wool blanket”

Windshield washer fluid

1 jug for the group

Amazon search: “winter windshield washer fluid”

Booster seat

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