LEGOLAND California Packing List: An Exercise in Self Control

LEGOLAND California Resort is every kid’s dream come true: a colourful brick paradise where imagination runs wild, okay also MY dream come true! Sure, the theme park gets crowded and hotel rooms aren’t exactly palatial, but with the right preparation, your family adventure will be nothing short of awesome. I guess you’re wondering what should be on your LEGOLAND California packing list to maximize fun and minimize stress?
These practical tips for LEGOLAND California will not only leave you feeling like a pro parent traveler but also save your wallet from those eye-watering theme park store prices. Because let’s face it, we’d all rather spend our cash on LEGO sets than overpriced ponchos, right?
LEGOLAND California Resort requires strategic planning before you can have fun, much like any major destination. Just as first-time visitors to New York City need guidance to navigate the concrete jungle (this helpful New York City first-timer guide saved my sanity on our family trip last year), LEGOLAND newbies benefit from a well-thought-out packing list to conquer the brick kingdom without unnecessary baggage.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
LEGOLAND Essentials
- Tickets: Purchase here from $79 per person
- Hotels: ($) Motel 6-Carlsbad,($$) Carlsbad by the Sea, ($$$) The Cassara.
- Travel Insurance: InsuBuy or VisitorsCoverage
- Car Rental: DiscoverCars for the the best rates
- Mobile Data: not from the US? Download an E-SIM from Airalo for fast data packages.
LEGOLAND California Packing List
1. Clothing To Bring To LEGOLAND California
Theme parks are not for the pretty. You don’t need to bring your going out clothes to LEGOLAND.
Pro tip: If you are working LEGOLAND California into a trip that is longer than a weekend, bring laundry pods and do laundry halfway through. You just cut the clothes you need to drag around in half.
Weather
Among the most valuable tips for LEGOLAND California is understanding the local climate. Carlsbad offers mild weather year-round, but knowing what to expect season by season will help you pack perfectly.
LEGOLAND California is located in Carlsbad, a little over a half hour from San Diego and an hour and a half from Disneyland. The weather is comfortable most of the year, but double check at the time of your visit.
Averages are as follows:
Season | Average High | Average Low |
Winter | Mid 60s | Low 40s |
Spring | Mid 60s | Low 50s |
Summer | Low 70s | Low 60s |
Autumn | Mid 70s | High 50s |
What to wear to LEGOLAND California
- T-shirts – One or two extra at most.
- Long sleeved shirts – Depending on the time of year.
- A jacket – Emphasis on “A”.
- Shorts – One or two extra at most.
- Pants
- Socks
- Underwear
- Bras
- Pajamas
- Swimwear – Two per person. Hang the wet suits in the bathroom and rotate. You don’t need them in the theme parks
- Amusement park shoes – If you can’t roll in flip flops all day.
- Sandals or flip flops
What NOT to include in your LEGOLAND California packing list
- Formal wear – There is no need to dress up for your meal at the Apple Fries stand.Save your fancy outfits for actual fine dining experiences.
- Workout gear – You are walking all day in the park. The odds of you wanting to work out after that are slim.

2. Accessories
In this context, accessories means things with functional purposes, not Sister Wives Claddagh rings.
What to Include in Your LEGOLAND Packing List
- Hair ties
- Hats – Only if you want them.
- Sunglasses
- Ponchos – Only if needed. Check the weather.
- Goggles – For the hotel only.
- Masks – They are currently required indoors for the unvaccinated.
What Not to Pack
- Umbrellas – Your kid can’t be trusted not to poke someone’s eye out.
- A large selection of jewelry – You are just asking to lose it.
- Floaties – The hotel has lifejackets.

3. Baby Items
Babies are high maintenance. There is no getting around how much stuff they require, but you don’t need to pack more than you will ever require during your trip. One of the sanity-saving tips for LEGOLAND California when traveling with little ones is packing smart – bring only what you’ll actually use during your visit.
What Should I Pack for LEGOLAND California for Babies?
- Bottles
- Sippy cups
- Bibs
- Pacifiers
- Formula and baby food
- Breast pump and accessories – Will you use this and have somewhere to store the goods? Decide before you pack it.
- Diapers – Don’t forget both regular and swim diapers, and don’t bring two full packs (ask me how I know this).
- Wipes
- Stroller – LEGOLAND rents them on a first come, first served basis.
- Car seat – Check to see if your ground transportation provider offers them if you aren’t driving your own car.
What Not to Add to Your LEGOLAND California Packing List for Babies
- Pack and Play – The hotel provides them.
- High chair – Not worth it.
- Baby monitor – Rooms are small. You will be able to hear the baby, probably more than you would like.

4. Bathroom Essentials and Toiletries
Bathroom supplies can quickly overtake your suitcase if you’re not careful. The LEGOLAND hotels provide basic amenities, but there are some personal items you won’t want to leave behind. Remember, you’re heading to a theme park – keep it simple!
Pro tip: Travel sized items are your friend. Try to avoid bringing things the hotel provides altogether, mini or not.
Bonus pro tip: Purchase travel bottles to bring smaller quantities of your favorite products.
What to Include in Your LEGOLAND California Packing List
- Glasses + Contact solution + extra contacts
- Beauty: Makeup
- Dental: Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Mouthwash, + Floss
- Hair: Shampoo (You only need this if it is not provided by the hotel or you need a special kind. Tear free is probably not at the hotel.), Conditioner (Same criteria as the shampoo), Hair styling products, Hairbrush
- Shower: Body wash, Lotion, Loofah, Face wash, Feminine hygiene products, Cotton swabs, Razors
- Other: Deodorant, Sunscreen, Tweezers, Tissue, Hand sanitizer
What Not to Pack
- Hair dryer – The hotel provides one.
- Nail clippers – Unless you’re going on a really long trip.
- Anything you can get from the hotel

5. Medications and First Aid
Nothing ruins a LEGOLAND adventure faster than feeling unwell with no remedies on hand. Pack a compact first aid kit with these essentials, but resist the urge to bring your entire medicine cabinet. Most minor issues can be handled with just a few key items. Condense everything as much as possible here. Think travel sized.
What to Add to Your LEGOLAND California Packing List
- Medications
- Pain relievers (Adult and child)
- Motion sickness medicine
- Thermometer
- Vitamins
- BAND-AIDs
- Antibacterial cream
- Medical equipment
What Not to Pack
- Full bottles of anything

6. Methods of Payment
Financial tips for LEGOLAND California are just as important as knowing what to pack. Here’s how to handle money matters without stress.
LEGOLAND California is expensive. You can cut the cost a little by earning miles and points on your purchases. Don’t miss this opportunity.
What to Include in Your LEGOLAND California Packing List
- Credit cards
- Cash – Use sparingly.
What Not to Add to Your LEGOLAND California Packing List
- A lot of cash
- Debit card – There is no benefit to using it over a credit card. Bring it only if you think you will need to visit an ATM.

7. Important Documentation
In the digital age, we like to believe everything’s available on our phones. But theme park WiFi can be spotty, and the last thing you need is frantically searching for confirmation numbers while your kids melt down in the parking lot. Here’s what to have readily accessible:
What Should I Take to LEGOLAND California?
- Airline reservation confirmations and boarding passes
- Hotel reservation confirmations
- Rental car and ground transportation reservation confirmations
- Proof of car insurance – When renting a car only
- Tickets
- Identification for all travelers
- Health insurance card
- Priority Pass card
What Not to Include in Your LEGOLAND California Packing List
- Any duplicate or unnecessary documentation with your personal information

8. Miscellaneous
These random but crucial items can make or break your LEGOLAND experience. From keeping devices charged to preventing meltdowns, don’t underestimate how these little things contribute to smooth sailing at the park:
What to Pack
- Cell phones and chargers – The phone won’t last forever without being plugged in.
- Portable cell phone charger – The LEGOLAND California app drains cell phone batteries faster than toilet paper leaves Costco during a pandemic.
- Travel entertainment – Namely must have travel items, like screens, sugar, and one book so you can pat yourself on the back for being a great parent.
- Snacks – For the plane and room only. LEGOLAND’s outside food policy only allows bottled water, small snacks, and food that is required for medical purposes or special dietary needs. You cannot bring in glass, open containers, alcohol, coolers, or picnic baskets.
- Refillable water bottle
- Noise canceling headphones – Only if your kid will freak out during the shows.
- Gum
- Laundry Detergent pods
- LEGO Minifigures for trading – Only if your kid cares.
What Not to Include on Your LEGOLAND California Packing List
- Night light – Crack the bathroom door and leave the light on.
- Hamper – An empty suitcase is a rolling laundry basket.
- Pool toys
- Shoe organizer – You shouldn’t have that many shoes anyway.
- Cameras – Smart phones take pictures.
- Extra towels

9. Day Bag Packing
LEGOLAND-California-Day-BagThe ultimate tips for LEGOLAND California focus on your day bag strategy. When you’re battling crowds with excited kids, the last thing you want is an overloaded backpack weighing you down. Less really is more. If you no longer have the benefit of the storage area on wheels that is a stroller, you don’t want to carry around unnecessary items.
Are bags allowed in LEGOLAND California? Yes and no. Backpacks are fine. Rolling bags are not. This is pretty standard for theme parks, though much more relaxed than some international attractions.
What to Pack for LEGOLAND California
- Identification
- Theme park tickets
- Methods of payment
- Cell phone and portable cell phone charger
- Ponchos
- Jackets
- Motion sickness medication
- Pain relievers
- Sunscreen
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Tissue
- BAND-AIDs
- Feminine hygiene products
- Noise canceling headphones
- Refillable water bottle
- Baby stuff you need on a typical day
- Gum
- Masks
- Hand sanitizer

Final Thoughts – LEGOLAND California Packing List
LEGOLAND California Resort is an exciting adventure where your kids’ imaginations come to life brick by colorful brick! With this streamlined LEGOLAND California packing list, you’ll navigate the park like a seasoned pro instead of a frazzled newbie. Pack smart, travel light, and focus on what really matters – creating those priceless memories with your little LEGO enthusiasts.
Remember, kids grow up faster than you can say “everything is awesome,” and they’ll only be young enough to experience the wide-eyed wonder of LEGOLAND once. This carefully curated packing list gives you one less thing to worry about, so you can be fully present for all those magical moments. And if you forget something? No biggie – there’s always the gift shop (though your wallet might not thank you).

This is such an easy to use packing list, thank you! Thinking to travel soon with my son 🙂
Fantastic comprehensive list! Thanks for talking me out of working out on vacation. Like I was going to do it anyway.
I hope to take my family over for a visit one day!
What an amazing packing list! Love your tips about what not to bring as well. It truly is an exercise in self control.
What a great list! Legoland in the UK is one of my favourite places, I’d love to come to the California one some day!
Legoland seems like so much fun, wish I could go there soon 🙂
This is really informative! You did a great job compiling this! I also enjoyed seeing the pictures. My nephews would LOVE Legoland!
This article is so put-together! I also love how you provided packing lists for everyone x This is very helpful, thank you!
Wow this is so cute, love the clock tower near the lake. The clothing tips are most welcome..
This is so cool! I have never been to Legoland but it looks like a childhood dream!
This is the best packing list I have ever seen – like seriously, WHY would you bring fancy clothes to a theme park?! Also I love the umbrella quip- our pretty much gathered dust in Southern California. This is a perfect packing list for Legoland- or any visit to a California theme park. Great job!
I love that you include a very detailed guide for going on a trip to Lego Land. You lay out all of the information in a very clear and organized way! I’d love to go to Lego Land with my daughter. We almost had the opportunity to go to the one in Orange County, New York, this past summer but it ended up not working out in our schedule. We’ll get to Lego Land one day!
Your lists are always so thorough! I’d love to go to LEGO Land one day. Glad to know that the rooms are small and and the hotels are busy!
I think my boyfriend would love LEGOLAND! Maybe next year we’ll make a trip up there since I also want to check out the Wizarding World ?