Aruba with Kids: What We Packed and What We’d Do Differently

When we decided to plan a tropical vacation to Aruba with family, I knew packing would make or break the trip — especially traveling with two little boys, ages 4 and 5. While I packed a lot of great essentials that saved the day, there are definitely a few things I would do differently next time.

If you're planning a trip to Aruba with kids (or anywhere tropical with young children), here’s an honest look at what we packed, what worked, and what I’d change to help you feel more prepared! :)

What We Packed for Our Family Vacation to Aruba

We packed four large suitcases total for our family of four, covering eight days of clothes, gifts for family, and plenty of travel entertainment for the kids. Here's what made the trip easier:

Clothes & Essentials

• Lightweight clothing (shorts, tanks, sundresses, swimsuits, rash guards)

• Pajamas

• Sweaters and light jackets (for chilly airports)

• Pool shoes and water sandals

• Sun hats and sunglasses

• Toiletries and a small first aid kit

• Sunscreen, bug spray, and anti-itch cream (Pro tip: The bugs were intense at night — I wish we had packed stronger bug repellent.)

• Snorkeling gear (we didn't pack beach toys because our vacation rental provided them)

In the Boys’ Carry-On Backpacks

Each boy had their own small backpack packed with:

• Seek-and-find books

  • We love Where's Waldo, Dinosaurs, and Richard Scarry's Super Silly Seek and Find!

• Magnetic building tiles

• Small dinosaurs and a foldable play mat (This set fits in a small metal tin box!)

• Card games like Sleeping Queens and Kids’ Charades

• Mini puzzles and coloring books

• Travel-sized Play-Doh with simple molds (perfect for airports and rainy days or mornings at your hotel or rental)

• Their favorite stuffed animal for comfort on the plane

• A small blanket and sweater for the flight

• Kids’ headphones and tablets preloaded with PBS Kids games and shows (Tip: Always check that your tablet games work offline before your trip.)

• Sticker Books

Snacks We Brought

• Cereal, muffins, granola bars, and fruit (such as grapes and applies) for easy airport breakfasts

• Snack packs of nuts, dried fruit, crackers, and applesauce

• Reusable water bottles to fill after security (Packing extra snacks would have been a lifesaver — especially when we missed lunch during a tight layover.)

What We Would Pack Differently Next Time

Even with a lot of good planning, there are a few things I’d definitely adjust:

• Pack more food for travel days. Our layover in Orlando was too short to grab a meal, and the kids got hangry fast. Next time, I’ll pack a few heartier options like peanut butter sandwiches or protein bars.

• Bring stronger bug protection. Aruba in November had more mosquitos than I expected, especially in the evenings around the villa.

• Consider a lightweight beach tent. My mom brought a small beach tent which helped a ton at Eagle Beach — renting umbrellas and chairs was expensive ($35–$70 a day).

• Skip some of the bigger toys. Honestly, the boys were so entertained by the pool, sand, and seashells that we didn’t need the bigger Hot Wheels car wash set we packed. A few smaller, flexible toys would have been enough.

• Portable fans would have been amazing. The Aruba heat is intense by midday. Next trip, I’ll throw a couple rechargeable handheld fans in my Amazon cart!

  
  

Our Top Must-Have Travel Items for Kids in Aruba

If you’re wondering what really made the biggest difference during our trip, these are the MVPs I would absolutely recommend bringing:

Must-Have	Why We Loved It
Seek-and-Find Books	Great for airport downtime, airplane entertainment, and villa quiet time
Magnetic Tiles	Lightweight, stackable, and hours of creative play indoors or poolside
Kids' Noise-Canceling Headphones	Essential for peaceful flights and downloaded movies
Compact Beach Toys and Nets!	A small net and a few molds made for simple beach day fun
Reusable Water Bottles	Staying hydrated in Aruba’s heat is critical
Travel-Friendly First Aid Kit	For bug bites, scraped knees, and general kid adventures

(I’ll be linking my favorite picks in my Amazon Shop soon.)

Packing for a tropical trip with kids takes some strategy, but it is completely doable — and so worth it when you get there and can relax knowing your little ones are happy and entertained.

Looking back, what mattered most was flexibility. We made the most of long travel days, adjusted plans for the heat, and enjoyed slow mornings swimming at the villa instead of rushing out to sightsee. And in the end, those slow, joyful family moments were the real magic of our Aruba trip.

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Planning your own trip? Stay tuned for my full Aruba Packing List for Families and more travel tips!