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Pack a suitcase

Pack a suitcase
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Pack a suitcase for a pretend trip, learn to choose clothes, organize items by category, and practice planning and packing efficiently.

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Step-by-step guide to pack a suitcase

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How To Pack A Carry-On Suitcase For A Two-Week Trip

What you need
Bottoms, clothes (tops, jacket or sweater, notepad and pencil, optional packing cubes or small bags, pair of shoes, pajamas), small toy or book, suitcase or backpack, toiletry bag with basic items, underwear and socks

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!

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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

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WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY ON FOR LONG FLIGHTS WITH KIDS | ENTERTAINMENT, SNACKS, PACKING TIPS 2021

4 Videos

Facts about travel preparation for kids

🗂️ 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.

🎒 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.

🧳 The wheeled suitcase was popularized in the 1970s — it changed travel by making heavy bags easier to move!

How do I teach my child to pack a suitcase for a pretend trip?

Set up a pretend destination and give your child a small suitcase, clothes, and toys. Start by asking what the weather will be and what activities they'll do. Guide them to choose outfits, group items by category (tops, bottoms, pajamas, toiletries), and use a simple checklist. Encourage rolling clothes to save space and placing heavier items at the bottom. Finish by labeling sections and practicing zipping and carrying.

What materials do I need to pack a pretend suitcase with my child?

You'll need a child-sized suitcase or tote, several changes of clothes, pajamas, socks, and shoes, plus small toiletry items (washcloth, pretend toothbrush), accessories (hat, scarf), and a few favorite toys or books. Packing organizers like small bags or packing cubes, a simple printed checklist, labels or sticky notes, and a marker help teach sorting and categorizing. Use real or play money and a passport for extra pretend-play fun.

What ages is the suitcase-packing activity suitable for?

This suitcase packing game suits ages about 2 to 8. Toddlers (2–3) enjoy placing big items and learning vocabulary with adult help. Preschoolers (3–5) can choose outfits, sort by color or category, and follow a simple checklist. Early elementary kids (6–8) can plan outfits for multiple days, manage space, and use packing strategies independently. Always supervise small parts and adapt complexity to the child’s fine-motor and attention skills.

What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for packing a pretend suitcase?

Packing pretend suitcases builds planning, decision-making, fine motor, and categorization skills. It teaches sequencing (what to pack first), introduces time- and weather-based choices, and boosts independence and confidence. For safety, avoid small choking hazards and supervise zippers. Variations: timed packing races, themed trips (beach, camping), packing by color, or using photos on a checklist for non-readers. Extend learning by discussing laundry, outfit rotation, or calculating how many
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Pack a suitcase. Activities for Kids.