A child who packs their own bag arrives somewhere with things they chose, which matters more than whether they chose well.
A printable checklist in a child's own column, with blank rows for the things only they know they need.
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There is a child list and there is a grown-up list, and the mistake is merging them. Their list: clothes, pyjamas, one toy, the book, the bear. Your list, invisibly: medicine, documents, chargers, the spare everything.
They get real ownership; nothing important rides on a six-year-old remembering it.
They will pack four soft toys and one sock. Let most of it stand. The learning is in arriving with what they packed, and it is cheap learning on a two-night trip.
One labelled bag for dirty clothes, packed while everything is still calm. It is the single thing that makes the return journey less awful, and it never gets done at the far end.
Around five with a picture list and a check at the end; by eight, mostly alone. Always check the bag — not to correct it, just so you know what is in it.
If they carry it themselves the whole way, usually yes. The carrying is the rule that makes the decision for you.
Part of our guide to Waiting & travel.