Vacation Packing Tips
/Let’s talk about family vacations and weekend getaways. Are you left to deal with the stress of planning and packing, while the rest of the family gets to anticipate all the carefree fun of some time away? Whether you’re road-tripping or flying, I’m here to give you some useful packing tips to help the process go smoothly so you can let go of the stress and start looking forward to relaxing in the sun.
Clothing
Start planning the family’s outfits well in advance of your trip. A few days before you leave, catch up on all the necessary laundry. Set aside items that you plan to pack so they stay clean and ready to go. Packing early gives you time to think of the things you may be forgetting.
Choose outfits that are lightweight and pack easily. Try coordinating as many pieces of clothing as you can. This makes it simple to swap out a shirt if you get a stain, or go from shorts to a skirt for a dinner out. Bring a lightweight sweater or sweatshirt that goes with multiple outfits for chilly nights, cold restaurants, or frigid flights.
Lay out each complete outfit and fold all the pieces into one bundle. This saves space in your luggage and takes the guesswork out of getting ready while on your trip. This packing method is especially great for kids. Using Ziplocks, stickers, or ribbon you can label each bundle with the day of the week or the activity for the day to help children get ready without the need of your assistance.
If committing to outfits in advance isn’t your style, use packing cubes to keep items organized. Packing cubes act like dresser drawers—keep tops together in one, bottoms in another, and undergarments in yet another. Keeping like items stored together makes finding a specific item and choosing an outfit quick and easy.
Laundry
Pack a laundry bag to contain dirty clothing throughout your trip. Use a wet bag instead of a mesh laundry bag to ensure the other clothes in your luggage stay fresh and clean. A wet bag keeps odors and moisture contained, so go ahead and go for a swim on the last day—no need to fret about hauling wet swimwear back home.
Accessories
Shoes take up space and add excess weight to your suitcase. Two pairs of shoes per family member should be sufficient for the trip—tennis shoes for days with a lot of walking and sandals for the beach and poolside. You’ll each wear one pair of shoes while traveling, so only one pair per family member needs luggage space.
Packing jewelry can be a challenge if you don’t have a specific travel bag for the purpose. Place items between two pieces of Press and Seal Wrap to keep them together and prevent tangling.
Toiletries + Cosmetics
When traveling, we want to be prepared for anything, but that can lead to some serious overpacking. Be practical about planning for what you’ll need while away, and be realistic about what you could just run out and grab once you’ve reached your destination if the need arises.
Refillable travel toiletry bottles are the perfect size and allow you to pack products, like shampoo and conditioner, that you already have on hand.
Pack toiletry bottles, sunscreens, and cosmetics within a small wet bag or Ziplock to save your clothes from any potential leaks during travel.
Packing Suitcases
A mom traveling with young kids has her hands full. I like to take as few bags as possible, especially when flying. Here you can see how I managed to pack 4 people for 5 days in 1 carry-on. If you’re flying and plan to check your luggage, be sure to pack one outfit for each family member in your purse or carry-on, just in case!
The remaining clothes will go in your suitcase. File fold—meaning stand folded clothing up on end—to make everything visible and easy to grab.
I place our kid’s clothes in separate soft-sided totes, like a reusable shopping bag, and pack those bags within our suitcase. When we reach our destination, each kid gets their own tote allowing them to get ready independently.
Kid’s Gear
Young children require a whole lot of stuff. While packing the car may make it possible to fit it all in, flying with all that gear can be a real headache.
The car seat is a given if you’re driving, but lugging one through the airport is a workout. I recommend checking the car seat at the service counter. If you’re planning to bring pool and beach gear, strap life-vests, puddle jumpers, and floaties right into the car seat. The whole bundle can go in a car seat travel bag, and voila, you just saved yourself a ton of storage space in your luggage.
A stroller seems necessary, but I find it often goes unused. If you’re traveling with an infant, baby carriers are just as useful and much easier to lug around. If you need the stroller, use it to help haul kids or bags through the airport. Then, gate-check it.
You could skip the stress of traveling with these bulky items, rent the necessary gear, and it will be waiting for you when you reach your destination. Car seats can be rented right along with your rental car. Not renting a car? Companies like Baby’s Away and BabyQuip have everything from cribs and pack-n-plays to car seats and strollers to feeding products and toys. With locations all over the country, your kids can have all the comforts of home at nearly any destination.
