Family Travel First-Aid Kit: What to Pack, by Age

<p>A small first-aid kit won't replace medical care, but it solves the most common holiday problems: a grazed knee, a high temperature at midnight, a bite that won't stop itching. This guide explains what to pack, how it changes as children grow, and which medicine rules to check before crossing borders.</p>

Last reviewed: November 2026. Lists are based on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Yellow Book, NHS guidance and the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). This page is general information and hasn’t been reviewed by a clinician. We don’t give doses here: always follow the packaging, and ask your pharmacist or doctor what suits your child and your destination.

A small first-aid kit won’t replace medical care, but it does solve the most common holiday problems: a grazed knee on day one, a high temperature at midnight, an insect bite that won’t stop itching. It also saves you trying to translate a pharmacy label while holding a crying child. The good news is that a family kit doesn’t need to be large. This guide explains what to pack, how it changes as your children grow, and the rules to check before taking medicines across borders.

The core kit for any family trip

The CDC’s personal travel health kit is the most complete official list we found, written for adult travellers, and we have adapted it below. NHS-affiliated guides suggest similar basics for a family.

Wound care

• ☐ Plasters in several sizes, including some children will like
• ☐ Gauze and non-stick dressings
• ☐ Medical tape and an elastic or self-adhesive bandage
• ☐ Wound closure strips
• ☐ Antiseptic wipes or cream
• ☐ Small scissors. The CDC notes that the TSA permits scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches from the pivot point in carry-on luggage, but check your own airline and airport rules

Instruments and documents

• ☐ Digital thermometer
• ☐ Tweezers, or a tick remover for woodland or camping trips
• ☐ Exam gloves
• ☐ Small torch or headlamp
• ☐ Medical summary for anyone with a condition, including allergies and regular medicines by generic name
• ☐ Travel insurance details and an emergency contact card
• ☐ A small first-aid guide or a first-aid app you’ve downloaded

Common medicines

• ☐ Pain and temperature relief suitable for each child’s age
• ☐ Oral syringe or measuring spoon
• ☐ Oral rehydration sachets
• ☐ Antihistamine suitable for each child’s age
• ☐ Hydrocortisone or anti-itch cream, if your pharmacist says it’s suitable
• ☐ Adult medicines (antacids, travel sickness tablets), kept separately

Prevention

• ☐ Sunscreen of at least SPF 30 with 4-star UVA protection
• ☐ Lip balm with sun protection
• ☐ Insect repellent suitable for your children’s ages
• ☐ Hand gel and wipes
• ☐ Water purification tablets or a filter, if you’re going somewhere remote

What changes by age

Taking medicines across borders

NaTHNaC’s medicines factsheet recommends carrying medicines in their original pharmacy packaging, along with a copy of the prescription and a letter from the prescriber. It also warns that some over-the-counter medicines from UK chemists, including nasal decongestants containing pseudoephedrine, are illegal in some countries. You can check rules with the destination country’s embassy, though NaTHNaC notes this can be difficult for some countries. NHS practice guidance adds that you could face a fine or prison if you travel with a medicine that’s illegal in another country, so check any transit countries as well.

The CDC says many countries limit certain controlled medicines to a 30-day supply or less, and that injectable medicines such as insulin should be carried with needles, syringes and a copy of the prescription. If your family has a controlled medicine, ask your prescriber well before travel, as a licence may be needed for longer stays.

The UK government’s foreign travel checklist says to check the healthcare advice for each country, and to look into vaccinations and precautions at least 8 weeks before you travel. It also warns that a GHIC or EHIC may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation, so it’s no substitute for travel insurance. Tell your insurer about medical conditions, and carry a copy of your documents.

Liquids and security

Liquid medicines count as liquids, but they’re treated differently. GOV.UK’s rules allow up to 2 litres of essential medical liquids at UK airports. Check what’s allowed at your departure, connecting and return airports. Keep the medicine in its packaging, and be ready to show a prescription if asked. Remember that frozen liquids and some gel packs may be treated differently.

Keep your kit in your hand luggage, with a smaller stash in your day bag. If your hand luggage gets gate-checked, take out medicines and lithium batteries first.

Step-by-step: building your kit

1. Start from what you have. Check expiry dates on everything.
2. Weigh each child, then buy the right product. Children’s doses often depend on age and weight, so it’s worth knowing their current numbers.
3. Ask your pharmacist one question: “What would you pack for a child of this age going to this destination?”
4. Make it small. Decant plasters into a zip bag, but keep medicines in their boxes with their leaflets.
5. Add local details on arrival. Save the local emergency number, your accommodation’s address and the nearest pharmacy to your phone. In the EU, 112 works in all countries.
6. Tell everyone where it is. A kit that only one adult can find is less useful.

When to get help

A kit deals with minor problems only. The CDC says that if a child with diarrhoea appears dehydrated, has a fever or has bloody stools, you should get medical attention immediately. Get urgent help too for breathing difficulties, a suspected serious allergic reaction, a head injury that causes drowsiness or vomiting, or a baby who has a high temperature and is very young or unusually floppy. Trust your instincts. If you are worried, seek help.

Print this checklist

Shopping by category

These Amazon searches cover the kit itself: travel first-aid kits, digital thermometers, tick removers and travel medicine bags. We haven’t tested these products and don’t rank them. Buy medicines from your own pharmacy, so you can ask about doses and ages.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Next steps

Packing for a baby? Add our baby travel packing list. Going camping? See camping with toddlers, which covers ticks too.