South of France with Kids: Packing List + Travel Hacks

We have a couple big trips planned this summer, so I've been doing a ton of thinking and research to make sure we are all squared away when it comes to our gear and various travel must haves!

We are spending two and a half weeks in the South of France next month. Admittedly, this level of travel with all three kids in tow is already making me feel a little anxious. I’ll be fine once there, but the packing and “getting there” is really what makes me nervous—and I’m that way whether it’s just me traveling alone or the whole family! But with kids, there’s just so much stuff. Rosie always insists on traveling with her weighted puppy stuffed animal that is quite large and I repeat… weighted!! It’s not one of those sentimental-from-birth stuffies, but more of a recent obsession and yet she “can’t sleep without it.” (Trust me, I’ve tried because a large weighted stuffed animal takes up about half of her carry-on.) And don’t even get me started on the baby stuff—travel cribs, strollers, car seats, etc.

With planes, trains, automobiles, and several locations involved in this big trek, I want to feel as confident as possible when it comes to what I’ve packed. I’m committed to having the best luggage, carry-on must haves, and so forth. I’m also committed to leaving anything unnecessary at home! (Except Puppy, of course.) So that’s why I’m starting my packing lists now and thought I’d share the progress I’ve made so far.

Luggage-Style Backpacks —

I’m really not a backpack girl. As a personal item, I always opt for an LL Bean Tote or a duffle with a trolley sleeve to connect to my rolling carry on. However, I feel like we’d be foolish to not use backpacks as personal items for this trip. After much research, I found the Lovevook Luggage-Style Backpack, which is stylish and more functional than I could dream of. After seeing that the 40L size is touted as the largest “personal item” allowed on flights & fits under an airplane seat, I was sold after approximately 6 seconds.

What makes this backpack unique is that it has a large, square shape (apparently the rounded shape of backpacks is a big space-waster) and it opens like a top-loading suitcase would.

It also has pockets galore, which I think will be super helpful when it comes to stowing away things we need to keep handy during travel.

I thought to order one for Brandon, but he would definitely say it’s too girly. So I ordered him this backpack in the 30L size, which functions very similarly and is under $40 on Amazon.

I ordered ones for Watson and Rosie too! Even though they won’t be using them for clothes, I think all the extra pockets will come in super handy—plus, the unique opening style is a game changer. With regular backpacks, everything just sinks to the bottom, and you end up digging through the whole bag to find one thing. It’s the worst—especially on a plane when you’re trying to grab a toy and suddenly everything’s spilling onto the floor where you can’t even see under the seat!

Games and activities —

I’ll start by saying that both of our older kiddos have iPads and while we’re on a flight or in the car on a road trip, we don’t restrict their time on them. When I’m mid-travel, I want to zone out by watching a show and realize they want to do the same. So that is really really helpful.

Rosie also loves to color and play with activity books. I ordered this sticker book for her and she’s going to flip over it! These markers are going to be perfect for the plane because they’re retractable and we won’t have to worry about marker lids falling off the tray table and falling into the abyss. Ha!

Watson normally brings this waterproof football and for the plane, usually bring his Rubik’s Cube.

I haven’t quite figured out what I’m going to bring for Patrick, but I did order this sticker book and this one, too! We have so many little sensory toys that belonged to our bigger kids, but I had to order him these magnetic toys for the plane. And we will take lots of snacks!

As a family, we love playing cards (crazy 8s!) and our kids especially love this game called Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. (It’s as silly as it sounds!) In addition to those two decks of cards, we will probably also bring our travel mahjong set because Brandon loves to play now, as does Rosie! I swear she learned quicker than I did.



A well stocked “go bag” —

I keep a toiletry bag in my personal item that has anything and everything we might need in a pinch, from vomit bags to a travel umbrella and from headphones to Excedrin for a migraine. I call this my travel “go bag” because anywhere I go, it goes. I always keep it stocked and ready to go, too.

I have an Amazon storefront full of the items I store inside my “go bag.” I’ve added a few new things to it, too.

+ so much more, shoppable here!




A Super Compact Travel Stroller —

We’ve traveled with a stroller more times than I can count, and while I absolutely love my Uppababy Cruz (it’s honestly the perfect stroller in my opinion), I’ve been wanting one that fits in the overhead bin instead of needing to be gate-checked. It would save us so much time since waiting for gate-checked items can take forever post-flight, which can be an issue if you’re trying to get to your connecting flight. Also, breaking the stroller down and putting it in the gate check bag is a hassle, especially when you're simultaneously trying to keep up with other children. And then, of course, you have to do it all over again after the flight!

That’s why a stroller that breaks down teeny tiny and can be stored in the overhead bin is high on my list. I am currently deciding between the brand new Uppababy Minu V3, the Joolz Aer+, and the Bugaboo Butterfly 2. I went into this thinking I would get the Stokke YOYO³, but ultimately ruled it out because the fold is not quite as seamless as the others I mentioned, the basket is a little smaller, and the seat back doesn’t go quite as upright as the others, which is important to Patrick. I am mostly between the Minu V3 and the Butterfly 2 because they are both brand new releases and check all of my boxes, but I’m considering the Aer+ because it seems to be a fan favorite. (Even though it doesn’t look quite as sturdy to me, for whatever reason!)

Bugaboo Butterfly 2

Uppababy Minu V3

Joolz Aer+

After testing these out, I’ll let you know which one I decide on in another packing Substack as we get closer to our travel date!




Clothing —

I’m starting to think of my kids and what gaps they might have in their wardrobes. Luckily, the climate in France will be similar to Charleston, so I think I would already be aware if Watson’s sandals from last summer didn’t fit this year, for example. But I definitely am starting to make mental notes of things we might need. Patrick will need some new pajamas because he is outgrowing his. (I am going to order these on Amazon because they are light as air and so comfortable.)

As for me, I have started ordering a few things here and there that have lightweight textures and are in colors that can mix and match with other outfits. I don’t have a true clothing packing list going yet, but I have ordered quite a few things from Shopbop’s new line, LE BOP. I seriously love everything. Here’s an example of something I ordered — these shorts and this top.

I feel like in France, I want my outfits to be pretty plain but I want my accessories to be fun and punchy. I have this necklace, but in orange, and have been wearing it already!

I also love these sunglasses. They are under $50!

I also ordered these cute and comfy denim shorts and these easy jeans.

For the plane, I think I’ll probably wear something like this Varley Short Sleeve Sweatshirt and the matching sweatpants.

I also need to order a pair of my favorite flip flops because I order a new pair every summer.

I want to do some shopping while there, so I’m for sure going to try not to overpack. Will keep you updated on how that goes…

Top Loading Suitcases —

I’m heavily considering ordering new suitcases that load from the top (like a trunk) vs the traditional clamshell design that most rolling luggage has. The large suitcases we have are Amazon brand from about five years ago and I’ve been fine with them, but we’ve had a couple instances where the zipper track disconnected mid-travel and I’m worried that’s going to happen again.

While this doesn’t have the top-loading style, I’m also considering Away luggage. I have a Monos carry-on and am not overly impressed at all. But then there’s Travelpro… I have a medium check-size suitcase that I really like, so I’m considering that brand as well. But back to the top loading style that I want… there are not a ton of brands that make them! And if they do, they are typically soft-style suitcases.

But then I found this one on Amazon and really like it. I don’t know… I just feel like I could fit so much more in my suitcase with this design! Why did we ever start doing that clamshell opening?! It really does take up so much space when you need to open it to grab any one thing.

Travel “Hack” Must Haves —

I found these straps that allow you to attach your children’s rolling carry-ons to yours. I’ve already mentioned this, but these vomit bags can double as a wet bag in the event of soiled clothing. I recently started packing with these mesh pouches and will never go back. Perfect thing for underwear, sunglasses, jewelry, etc. It’s like a packing cube but for smaller items and they take up less space/can see through them better. Hot take: I actually don’t pack with packing cubes! I do for my children, though, and much prefer these to any compression style of cube, which tend to be heavier and weigh the suitcase down. You also will never catch me traveling without this or this. Both are musts! And if you have any sort of travel anxiety, I highly highly recommend trying these headphones. They cancel outside noise (read: the general loud noise the airplane makes) and definitely relax my nervous system. @Bose also makes this style if you prefer ear buds!

More on packing + what outfits I’m bringing to France to come!