Pack a suitcase
Pack a suitcase for a pretend trip, learn to choose clothes, organize items by category, and practice planning and packing efficiently.
Step-by-step guide to pack a suitcase
Packing for my Kid's Solo Trip! + Airplane Activity Ideas!
Step 1
Gather all the Materials Needed and put them nearby so you can see everything.
Step 2
Pick a pretend destination for your trip like the beach or the mountains.
Step 3
Write a simple packing checklist on your notepad and include how many days you will stay.
Step 4
Sort your clothes into piles by category: tops bottoms underwear and socks and pajamas.
Step 5
Choose one top and one bottom for each day of your trip.
Step 6
Place each chosen outfit into its own small pile or small bag.
Step 7
Roll each outfit tightly to save space in your suitcase.
Step 8
Put the rolled outfits into the main part of your suitcase.
Step 9
Put your jacket and shoes into the bottom or sides of the suitcase.
Step 10
Put your toiletry items into the toiletry bag.
Step 11
Put the toiletry bag into the suitcase.
Step 12
Check each item off your notepad checklist as you pack them into the suitcase.
Step 13
Zip up your suitcase or close your backpack so everything stays packed.
Step 14
Share your finished packed suitcase on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of small bags or a toiletry bag if we don't have them?
Use clean zip-top sandwich bags or small resealable snack bags as each 'small bag' for a chosen rolled outfit and a reusable pouch, lunchbox, or empty small tote as the toiletry bag.
My suitcase won't close or the zipper gets stuck—what should we try?
If the suitcase won't zip, remove one rolled outfit, move shoes and the jacket to the bottom or sides as the instructions say, re-roll outfits more tightly to save space, and then try zipping again.
How can we adapt this packing activity for a 3-year-old, a 7-year-old, or a 12-year-old?
For a 3-year-old use picture cards on the notepad checklist and have them sort and drop full outfit piles into one bag, for a 7-year-old let them write a simple checklist and roll outfits with supervision, and for a 12-year-old ask them to pack independently including the toiletry bag and to check items off their notepad.
How can we make the packing activity more fun or personalized before sharing on DIY.org?
Decorate the notepad checklist and small bags with stickers or labels, include a mini travel diary or destination-themed item in the toiletry bag, and photograph your zipped suitcase to upload to DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to pack a suitcase
TIPS | PACKING FOR KIDS!
4 Videos
TIPS | PACKING FOR KIDS!
How To Pack A Carry-On Suitcase For A Two-Week Trip
Packing for a FAMILY ROAD TRIP with FOUR KIDS 🚙 Packing and Car Organization HACKS
WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY ON FOR LONG FLIGHTS WITH KIDS | ENTERTAINMENT, SNACKS, PACKING TIPS 2021
Facts about travel preparation for kids
🧳 The wheeled suitcase was popularized in the 1970s — it changed travel by making heavy bags easier to move!
🎒 Rolling clothes instead of folding can often save space — many travelers report fitting 20–30% more this way.
🧦 Stuffing socks or chargers into shoes is a neat packing trick that saves space and protects your shoes.
🗂️ Organizing items by category (tops, bottoms, toiletries, electronics) makes packing and finding things much faster.
🧠 Pretend packing helps kids practice planning, categorizing, and decision-making — great life skills for growing up.
