Travel Tips

Smart Grocery Shopping for an Airbnb Stay with Kids (Full List!)

Smart Grocery Shopping for an Airbnb Stay with Kids (Full List!)

Last updated: October 27, 2026. This update distinguishes the family’s grocery-list memories from current delivery, listing, and payment details. Date information added October 28, 2026.

Originally published May 6, 2022. This article shares our family’s meal-planning preferences and examples; food availability, listing amenities, and prices vary by destination and stay.

During our full-time family travel, we stayed in more than 40 Airbnbs around the world. We often stayed for a month at a time, but we also had plenty of shorter stays.

When this article was first published, we were living full-time in Portugal and taking shorter stays in new countries. At that time, we were still traveling internationally about once a month.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*

Why We Stay In Airbnbs Internationally

Our family often preferred a home with a kitchen so we could cook when we wanted. Eating out also had its perks, though cost and restaurant options depended on the destination.

Some listings in places such as the US and Europe may offer quirky styles or features. Check each home’s photos and amenities before deciding whether it suits your family.

Let’s face it: eating out with a bunch of kids isn’t always fun, either.  They get bored and act out, you are shoving a phone or tablet in their face to keep them quiet, paying a fortune, and thinking the whole time “when can we leave?”

I’d much rather have the flexibility, when we want it, to cook dinner while the kids play and eat on a beautiful patio.  Or I’d like to be able to make a quick dinner for the kids (think PB&J!), get them to bed, and cook a romantic dinner alone.  

We liked having a home where we could eat delivery rather than in a hotel room. We sometimes used Uber Eats where it was available. Delivery services and choices vary by destination. A table and fridge can be useful for leftovers when the listing has them.

Save the original Airbnb meal-planning pin for later.

In some places, it can be hard to find an open restaurant. During our Iceland road trip, we had a hard time finding restaurants open for dinner and ended up with “snack dinners” in the car more often than we would have liked. Restaurant hours vary by place, so check before planning a meal.

You get the possibilities!  We still love to eat out on vacation but like to have the option to also relax at “home” when eating out isn’t going to work with the kids.

Our original shopping video: Shopping And Cooking Tips While Traveling With A Family!

Before shopping, check your booked listing for a kitchen, fridge, cooking equipment and any supplies the host provides. Airbnb’s listing rules require advertised amenities to match what is available; ask the host about anything unclear. In select locations, Airbnb also offers grocery delivery through Instacart. If it is available for your stay, the option appears in Trips after booking.

What Food To Buy For Your Airbnb Stay

I like to plan about 75% of our days’ worth of dinner.  We will eat out once or twice, or be on the road exploring and getting fast food.  If we are staying for 5 days, I’ll plan for three solid dinners and have enough food for an extra night.  For example, we love breakfast for dinner, so I can easily transition breakfast food into an extra dinner. 

Tip: Compare local menus before choosing when to eat out. In some places, a lunch special may cost less than dinner, but prices and meal deals vary.

I plan breakfast for every day.  We like to sleep in and often work late at night and rarely go out for breakfast.  Many mornings our kids are snacking or making some light breakfast for themselves while we get some sleep.

For our family, I often left lunch unplanned and brought snacks for days we expected to be out exploring, driving, or hiking. I also packed PB&J sandwiches. The right amount depends on your plans and what is available locally.

Note that leftovers can make great lunch options!  We eat a lot of leftovers for lunch.

We also have found our “comfort” items while we travel, such as herbal tea, Nutella, or chocolate ice cream.  You’ll know these items for your family, so modify that section of my shopping list as it works for you.

My Favorite Go-To Meals For Airbnb Stays with Kids

Breakfast Suggestions

• Cereal and milk (usually 1-2 boxes will feed us for 1-2 mornings)
• Pancakes and bacon
• Oatmeal with Nutella
• Eggs and toast
• Hash browns and eggs
• Egg and sausage casserole (recipe here)
• Yogurt, fruit, pastries (continental breakfast.  Bonus these items can double as snacks)
• French toast (great for using leftover bread)
• Frittata (also great for using leftover veggies and eggs)

Dinner Suggestions

• Spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, and bread
• Hamburgers or hot dogs with chips and raw veggies
• Chicken breasts and rice with vegetable
• Grilled cheese
• Egg salad sandwiches (great for leftover eggs!)
• Chicken nuggets or fish sticks (easy, can be a good lunch option in case you are home for lunch).
• Pre-made deli options can be convenient and may cost less than eating out. I have found gluten-free options harder to find; check ingredients if that matters for your family.
• Fried rice.  We like to take rice and mix it with cut deli ham, cut bacon, etc.  Throw in some pepper or mushrooms or other vegetables if you can get away with it with the kids.
• Tacos. We LOVE Mexican night. During our earlier trips, taco seasoning was harder for us to find in some places outside the U.S.; by this article, I had not found it in South America and we had not yet visited Africa. Availability varies by city and store. If it is a family favorite, check local availability before you travel; any food you carry across a border must follow current airline and destination rules.
• Pizza. It can be an easy option in many places, but menus and availability vary.

Easy, No Prep Items

• Fresh fruit: our family favorites included apples, bananas, peelable clementines, berries, and pre-cut fruit when available. Choose what is easy to store where you are staying.
• Veggie trays: pre-cut vegetables can be a quick option for a snack or side.
• Pre-packaged salads or wraps can be quick lunch options from grocery stores, convenience stores, or airport delis.
• Frozen meals or microwaveable options: consider these if your listing has the needed appliances and storage.
• Protein bars and trail mix: these were among our family’s portable snack options; check ingredients and destination rules for food you carry.
• Dried fruit and nuts: our family often packed almonds, dried cranberries, and cashews for snacks. Check current destination rules before carrying food across borders.
• Instant oatmeal packets: these can be useful when you have access to hot water.
• Canned tuna or chicken packets: these can be quick meal ingredients. Check current food import rules before carrying them across borders.
• Cheese sticks and individual yogurts can be easy snacks when you have a fridge. We found individually packaged cheese options in some European shops.

How To Plan Your Shopping List For Your Airbnb Stay with Kids

I’d recommend discussing as a family how many dinners you will plan to eat in, pick your dinners, and make your list from there.

If you need a specific item, such as gluten-free pasta, check local availability before traveling. If you plan to carry food across a border, check current airline and destination rules. Thinking of good luggage to fit everything? Check out this option: favorite luggage here.

I’ve gotten used enough to this that I do not plan ahead at all and usually, just hit the store.  However, I used to plan our meals meticulously before the trip.  

What If I Have Extra Food?

Chances are good you’ll have leftovers.  I’ve handled this differently in each scenario.  Your options are:

• Ask the host before leaving any food behind; do not assume a cleaner or future guest can take it.

• Give it to another family or person you’ve met on your trip.  For example, in Hawaii, we were in condos with lots of other travelers.  We just found someone arriving and asked if they’d like some food!  Obviously, this only applies to unopened items

• For international travel, check the current airline and destination rules before carrying food across a border; do not assume produce or meat can be taken through customs.

• Pack it home!  I’ve packed many dry goods home if we have the room.

The article’s examples—$100–$150 for dinner out and $20–$25 for a meal at home—are not current price estimates. Costs vary by destination, group, and meal.

Enjoy prepping for your travel and Airbnb stay!

Xoxo,

Leslie

Additional Reading

Airbnb vs Hotels Internationally: Where to Stay for Family Travel

How to Book a Long-Term Airbnb or Travel Home

Best Apps For International Family Travel