How to Plan Fun Family Trips (Without Losing Your Dog or Your Mind)

Download our free Pack & Play Kit — with checklists, games, and a flexible plan that does the thinking for you.

Fun family trips  can start with a bike

A few years ago, I found myself in one of the most chaotic—but oddly unforgettable and fun family trips I ever had in my life.

We were a full-blown road trip convoy: over fifteen relatives spanning generations. Boomers. Millennials. Gen X kids. Two actual children. A senior citizen. And a hypoallergenic dog named Happy.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say we were fleeing the West Coast like some kind of family-style exodus.

We had just come from a wedding and somehow ended up bringing a leftover fondue cake with us.

Somewhere between a flat tire and a desperate attempt to catch up with the pack, one of our cars started trailing a random red sedan that wasn’t even part of our group.

packing list, checklist, editable checklist, tsa guide, editable packing list
The Carry On, Queen Packing List

And then things escalated: one of our cousins actually got lost in Lost Vegas—right after the millennials had our own Hangover-style misadventure.

Imagine waking up next to your cousin, only to find a text saying he’d somehow made it to the airport without waking anyone.

At that point, we looked at each other and asked: Is this a prank?

Looking back, it wasn’t your typical family trip—but that’s probably what made it
unforgettable.

Still, between the laughs, the chaos, and nearly losing both a dog and a cousin, one thing became painfully clear:

That’s exactly why I put together the Pack & Play Kit—a no-fuss, stress-cutting starter pack for anyone planning a family trip.

The Pack & Play Kit for Families on the Go

This is the free download I wish I had then — a free printable toolkit to help you pack light, plan smarter, and enjoy the kind of chaos that becomes a family legend you’ll laugh about for years.

Inside, you’ll find:
The Pack & Play Kit was made for:

✦ An ultimate packing list for real families
✦ A quick, no-nonsense TSA-approved toiletry guide
✦ Printable games like family travel bingo to keep kids (and adults) entertained

Whether you’re planning a road trip, a weekend getaway, or a full-blown family vacation, this kit has your back.

What’s Inside the Kit

This isn’t just a checklist. It’s your grab-and-go travel essential for stress-free travel and fun family trips. Here’s exactly what’s inside:

A 5-Point Family Trip Plan

A travel prep guide that helps you stay ahead — no last-minute panic packing or
“wait, did we book the hotel?” moments.

Essentials-Only Packing List + TSA Toiletry Guide

Your no-fluff list of real travel basics: chargers, meds, a TSA-approved toiletry bag, snacks, and yes — clean underwear. Perfect for when you’ve got 10 minutes to pack and zero brain cells to spare.

tsa guidelines, tsa toiletry guidelines, checklist, tsa guide
Pack Fast. Travel Smart

Trip Cheat Sheet for Emergencies

A one-pager with all your key info: flights, hotels, emergency contacts. It’s the
printable backup you’ll be glad you packed especially if someone gets lost or their roaming fails.

Bonus
✦ We’ve included extra sheets for multiple hotel stays, connecting flights, or family members with separate itineraries—because no two trips (or travelers) are the same.

Day-of-Travel Game Plan

The “get-out-the-door” checklist that keeps your morning calm. From passports
and chargers to turning off the lights and checking the stove — everything’s
covered before the Uber even pulls up.

Printable Family Bingo & Games

Simple, screen-free ways to keep everyone entertained from road trips to airport waits.

And yes, there’s a bonus Travel Bingo card too — fun for all ages and perfect
for the family photo album.

Who’s It For?
The Pack & Play Kit was made for:

✦ Parents organizing fun family trips with too many moving parts
✦ Road trippers with a car full of relatives (and maybe a dog)
✦ Caregivers trying to keep both toddlers and grandparents happy
✦ Anyone who likes being organized but still wants flexibility for fun
✦ Families looking for a simple, printable travel checklist that works for real life

Why This Kit Works (Especially If You’re the Default Trip Planner)

I created this because I am that person — the one everyone turns to when it’s time to plan, pack, or figure out what terminal we’re at.

This kit combines everything I’ve learned from family travel, including:

  • How to pack light and still have what you need
  • How to prevent drama by keeping expectations (especially around photo opps)
  • How to plan for peace, not perfection

How to Get It (Free!)

Just drop your email, and I’ll send the kit straight to you. It’s 9 pages of real, practical tools I wish I had during one of our big family trips — easy to print, use on your phone, or jot notes on along the way.

family trip, checklist, Bingo, Games, Checklist, essentials, fun things to do, travel trip, printable games
Planning a Family trip

From One Trip Planner to Another

I still smile thinking about that road trip—like when my aunt thought she lost her credit card in Vegas and promised to treat us all if we found it. (She had stashed it in her sister’s bag all along. We found it, laughed, and went on a shopping spree.)

It was messy, loud, and completely unforgettable.

Moments like that are why we go through the trouble of planning in the first place.

So if you’re heading out soon, I hope it’s full of stories you’ll be telling for years. And if you want a little help getting started, the Pack & Play Kit is yours—free.

[Grab your FREE kit] and start planning a fun family trip worth smiling about.

1 Comment
  1. This is so helpful! I especially liked that you’ll just have to fill out a cheat sheet because sometimes, there are so many things to take note of, you get overwhelmed and don’t know where to start! All the things here is a definite START and a guide until the end!

    I also liked that this is from your own experience, because, let’s admit, we look for references on the internet to at least get a picture of what we’re getting into. If things happen to be different than your experience, at least we weren’t going in totally blind! I love airports but the security checks just makes you feel so nervous!

    Thank you for this! Looking forward for more!

Leave a reply

SmartTravelHer
Logo
Register New Account
Compare items
  • Total (0)
Compare
0
Shopping cart