My kids have been to 26 countries on 6 continents. We never check bags.

"Years of backpacking around the world solo taught me how little I actually need when I'm away from home. Even more importantly, those years taught me how much easier and more enjoyable travel is when I'm not weighed down by unnecessary baggage."

"I've almost always traveled carry-on-only, with just a small suitcase and a standard school-sized backpack, even on nearly month-long trips to Europe and Asia. Doing so made it possible to walk across endless bridges in Venice, each with a staircase, quickly get on and off trains across Europe and Morocco, and navigate Tokyo's sprawling subway stations without much struggle."

"Even though my kids have closets full of clothing and weeks' worth of underwear at home, I strictly limit what we bring on vacation. I limit how many clothes, shoes, and toiletries we bring."

Traveling light with children is achievable through strategic packing methods developed over years of international travel. The approach involves limiting clothing to essentials, selecting coordinating pieces that mix and match, and sharing toiletries among family members to reduce bulk. Packing cubes maximize suitcase space efficiency, while digital devices like Kindles replace physical books. This carry-on-only strategy has enabled month-long trips across multiple continents without checked baggage, except for specialized trips requiring bulky gear. The benefits include easier navigation through airports, train stations, and city streets, plus reduced travel stress and greater mobility throughout journeys.

Read at Business Insider