Ultimate Switzerland Packing List for Kids in Summer

Summer in Switzerland with kids is one big outdoor adventure. We spent our days hopping between lakes, mountains, playgrounds, and charming town squares. But Swiss summer weather can change quickly, especially when you’re moving between different elevations. That’s why packing thoughtfully is key. With the right layers, sun protection, and practical gear, your kids will be ready for everything without meltdowns over being too hot, too cold, or too tired. Read on for our Switzerland packing list essentials for kids to keep your kids (and you!) happy on a Swiss summer adventure.

Kids Clothing

• Light rain jacket: Weather in the Swiss Alps can change quickly. One day might be sunny, while the next brings rain, or you could encounter different conditions at various elevations. We were grateful that we decided to bring light rain jackets even though we were traveling in the summer because we definitely experienced some downpours. Our rain jackets were easy to roll up and stash in our backpack. And they saved us from getting unexpectedly soaked while out exploring.
• Comfortable walking shoes: Old towns in Europe are paved with cobblestones, so definitely make sure kids have comfortable shoes to navigate the uneven surfaces.
• Sun hat: you’ll probably be spending a lot of time outdoors. So sun protection is a must!
• Swim suit and long sleeve rash guard: We usually bring a swim suit and long sleeve rash guard even when we don’t anticipate any swimming because there always seems to be an unexpected opportunity for our kiddo to get wet. Whether that’s lake activities or fountains, he always finds a reason to splash. My kid hates sunscreen so we always go with the long sleeve rash guards for maximum sun protection.
• Packing cubes: I swear by packing cubes when packing for the family. Especially on a Switzerland trip like ours where we went to areas with different climates. It was helpful to be able to organize warm weather clothes in one packing cube and hiking/outdoors clothes in another packing cube so that we didn’t have to unpack everything in each city.

Snacks and Hydration

• Favorite snacks: snacks are our go-to strategy for keeping our kiddo happy and occupied, whether we’re on a long train or plane ride, out on a hike, or trying to get out the door on time (which happened a lot during our trip to Switzerland). While discovering new snacks at local supermarkets is always part of the fun, we also make sure to pack some tried-and-true favorites from home, just in case.
• Kids utensils: we found restaurants in Switzerland to be surprisingly kid-friendly! But they did not always have kids utensils. And if you’re renting accommodations with a kitchen (highly recommended when traveling with kids, see our favorites in Switzerland), it can be helpful to bring your own kids utensils for easier independent eating.
• Water bottle: In Switzerland, tap water is safe to drink by law and held to extremely high standards. Packing a water bottle can help you save quite a bit of money, especially since water isn’t typically served for free at restaurants like it often is in the U.S. If you’re not ordering other beverages, some restaurants may even charge you for water. Having your own water bottle with you is an easy way to stay hydrated and cut down on extra costs while dining out or exploring. Even the water from the local fountains is safe to drink, so you can fill up as you go!
• Kids lunchbox or snack containers: Switzerland is expensive. One way to save on costs is to do picnic lunches. There are supermarkets at every train station, so it’s very easy to pick up picnic essentials and make your own meals on the go. Bringing your own lunchbox and snack containers is easier than finding disposable options abroad.

Entertainment Options for Downtime and Travel

This is more important for younger kids who need more activities to stay entertained. Screens are an easy choice to keep kids occupied. And while our kiddo gets a lot more screen time than usual when traveling, we don’t like to rely solely on screens for entertainment because there are usually more massive meltdowns when we try to turn it off. We have found that it’s important to have some alternatives to keep him busy. He’s not going to have all his toys like at home. So to keep him from bouncing off the walls in the hotel at night, we make sure to bring some travel toys.

• Books: we always bring at least one new book on travels. We especially like search and find books or lift the flap books because they take more time to read though.
• Art: Water Wow coloring books are great for not accidentally coloring on things. Sticker books keep our kid surprisingly entertained for a while too! He likes the ones with transportation vehicles. Daiso sells a lot of cheap ones too! Drawing pads are also fantastic because they are reusable.
• Small toys: our kiddo loves magnatiles, and these mini magnatiles are great to travel with. We also usually make a toy store one of our first stops and get a small toy for our kid to play with during the trip. This also doubles as a souvenir, because whenever he plays with the toy at home he remembers where he got it. In Switzerland, we found some beautifully made wooden toys, like a cow and a fire truck.
• Kids headphones: if your kid is watching their screens in public, make sure to pack kids headphones to be respectful.

Everyday Supplies for Kids

• Medications: it goes without saying to pack any prescription medications your kid is taking. I also bring over-the-counter kids medications like Children’s Tylenol, just in case. I’m okay with buying OTC meds for myself and winging it with the translation when abroad, but I prefer using the kids’ OTC meds we’re familiar with because I am sure about the dosing and ingredients.
• Sunscreen: like medications, I like to use particular brands of sunscreen for my kid’s face.
• Kids soap and shampoo: along the same lines, if your kid has sensitive skin then you may want to pack your own kids soap and shampoo that you use at home. Some more family-friendly hotels may have kid soaps but not all do. The last thing you want to deal with is any rashes while traveling from using unfamiliar soaps.
• Sleep essentials: bring anything that your kid needs to sleep well to encourage good sleep while traveling. For us, that is a sound machine. When our kid was younger, we also brought his bedtime book. Think anything that would be difficult to find exact replacements for abroad.
• Power plug adapters: Switzerland uses a different plug than the US, so a power plug adapter is a must. We have a convertible one that includes multiple different plugs for every country in one unit so we never have to think about which plug to bring.
• Diapers and pull ups: if your kiddo is still in diapers, it is helpful to bring a starter pack of diapers or pull ups, or enough for the whole trip. While they may sell them in the grocery stores, you may not want to spend precious vacation time looking for diapers.

Transportation Essentials

• Hip Seat Carrier or Hiking Carrier: A better alternative to a stroller if your kid is still small enough to carry is a hip seat carrier. We loved using ours during our trip to Switzerland because it’s one less thing to carry through train stations. The hip seat is clutch because it’s more comfortable to sit in for longer periods. We loved our version that had straps and could be worn in the front or back.
• Ride Safer Travel Vest or inflatable booster: taxis in Switzerland do require car seats, but many of them will not have one. Rather than lugging a giant car seat overseas for just a few rides, a Ride Safer Travel Vest or inflatable booster are much more compact options.

What You Can Skip

• Umbrella: most hotels will have umbrellas that you can borrow from the front desk.
• Pack and Play or inflatable toddler bed: every hotel that we booked had pack and plays available, complete with sheets and bedding. They were all already assembled in the room when we checked in, which we found to be a very thoughtful touch.
• Stroller: this one might be tough for parents with bigger kids, but I would not recommend a stroller in Switzerland. Old towns are mostly paved with cobblestones. Have you tried pushing a stroller on cobblestones?? Even wheeling our luggage was difficult. A hip seat carrier or hiking carrier is much more practical for a Swiss vacation.

Start planning your perfect family summer vacation to Switzerland by copying our Switzerland with a toddler itinerary!