A Life Well Traveled

Traveling to Europe with little ones is exciting, but packing can feel like an Olympic sport. After multiple international trips with two toddlers, I finally feel like we’ve found What We Packed for Spain With Kids and What We Left at Home

After several trips to Europe with young kids, we have finally found our rhythm. We no longer pack for every possible situation. Instead, we bring the things we know will make travel easier and buy bulky everyday essentials once we arrive. Here is what we actually packed for Spain, what we used, and what we intentionally left at home.

What We Packed

Travel Gear

• Zoe Twin travel stroller (and oversized double stroller bag)
• All-terrain stroller wheels
• Stroller side bags
• Stroller hooks
• Snack trays
• Baby carrier
• Packing cubes, with one color for each family member
• Reusable stainless-steel water bottles

One of our best packing tricks is using a large stroller travel bag instead of the small fitted bag sold by the stroller company. We gate-check the stroller for free and use the extra room in the bag for bulky, lightweight items like swim vests, sweatshirts, diapers, and wipes. It is basically bonus luggage. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

Summer Essentials

• Rechargeable neck fans
• Small spray bottle
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Swim vests
• SPF rash guards
• Portable charger

The neck fans and spray bottle were especially helpful during hot sightseeing days. Spain in the summer can be intense, and these helped keep the kids comfortable.

Medicine and First-Aid Supplies

We brought a small kit with familiar products we already knew how to use:

• Bandages
• Magic Molecule spray
• Children’s Tylenol/Motrin
• Thermometer
• Lolleez and Tumeez lollipops
• Propolis throat spray
• Pepto-Bismol
• Sea-Bands/Dramamine
• Benadryl
• Vitamins/Probiotics
• Hand sanitizer
• Electrolyte powder packets

You can buy medicine in Spain, but I prefer having familiar children’s products with us, especially for flights and late-night issues. I always keep these items in our carry-on for easy access.

Activities for the Kids

We kept activities small and simple:

• Notebooks/pencils
• Crayons
• Dry-erase activity books
• Mini magnetic tiles
• Mini Monster Jam trucks
• Letter, word, and shape practice books
• Amazon Fire Tablet (loaded with e-books and educational games)

Clothing for the Kids

For each child, we packed:

• Lightweight matching outfit sets
• Mix and match outfits that are good for day trips and night activities
• Swimsuits and SPF rash guards
• 1-2 sets of Pajamas
• One light sweater or sweatshirt (we’ve never used)
• One pair of sandals and sneakers
• Socks and underwear (don’t overpack these)

We always do laundry between locations, so we don’t overpack.

Clothing for the Adults

We packed:

• Linen dresses, shirts, and pants
• Comfortable sandals and casual sneakers
• Bathing suits and coverups
• A few nicer dinner outfits
• A crossbody bag + change bag
• A hat, sunglasses, and a linen scarf for cathedrals, though you could buy a nice one there.
• A light layer for cooler evenings

What We Did Not Pack

A Full Supply of Diapers and Wipes

When our kids were in diapers, we packed only enough diapers and wipes for the flight and the first day. Once we arrived, we bought more at a pharmacy or grocery store. Pharmacies are easy to find throughout Spain. Just look for the glowing green cross.

Full-Size Toiletries

We did not pack large bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, sunscreen, or skincare products. European pharmacies have the best hair, skin, and sunscreen products, and we prefer to buy them there.

Spanish pharmacies are also one of my favorite places to shop. I usually stock up on brands like Avène, Caudalie, Nuxe, A313, Biologique Recherche, and Embryolisse. To find out more about what I stock up on in European pharmacies, read my full article here.

Too Many Clothes

We did not pack a brand-new outfit for every day. Instead, we brought pieces that could be mixed and matched and planned a few laundry stops during the trip. This was easy to do between meals or during downtime the day before we left each location.

Unnecessary “Just in Case” Items

We stopped packing for every possible scenario. Spain has pharmacies, grocery stores, children’s clothing stores, and baby supplies. Unless an item is difficult to replace or something your child truly needs, you can usually buy it there.

What We Learned

The biggest lesson from traveling to Spain with kids is that you do not need to bring your entire house with you. We packed the items that made flights, sightseeing, meals, and bedtime easier. We left behind the bulky things that were simple to buy once we arrived. Pack less, plan to do laundry, and leave some room in your suitcase for everything you will want to bring home. And maybe even bring an extra suitcase or duffle for souvenirs.