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I love getting ready for a new adventure- researching a new destination, the excitement before heading out on vacation. What I don’t love to do before a trip – packing. I mean it’s a necessity of course! I find it takes longer than I want it to and I just want it to be done. But I have found a few shortcuts over the years that have made the process more efficient and more foolproof. I am so excited to share my best vacation packing tips!
Vacation Packing Tips
Vacation Packing Tip: Make a list
This is something I never did as a single person, but now that I often pack for me AND two kids, and I am in charge of multiple bags (luggage, carry-ons, snacks) a list is a necessary starting point. I like to write out everything that needs to be packed. I start with a fresh page, and break it into four boxes, one for me, one for baby girl and one box for little man. The fourth box is for the carry-on bag or bags (which will often include snacks).
I try to pack in one shot, but sometimes I am distracted. With a list, I can keep better track of what has been packed and what we still need to put in the suitcase. Having a list also lets me figure out what needs to go in the bag at the last minute. Just be sure to check the list right before you leave!
One could go digital with their packing list, but I like to write mine out by hand. I always have a composition notebook by my side, and I can look back at previous lists if I need (there are lots of lists in my notebook!). I personally like to think about each adventure individually, instead of working off a generic list.
Vacation Packing Tip: Lay It Out
After I make my list, I like to hunt and gather. I will lay everything out on the bed before filling the actual luggage. I do this so I can see exactly how much stuff we have which helps me determine which bags we will be taking and what will go in which piece. Also makes it easier to pair down if we have too much, or to decide there is room for that extra outfit!
scroll down to shop the items in this basket!
Vacation Packing Tip: Let Kids Help
Once I have my list, I enlist the kids to help gather and pick out their own clothes. Its like a game, I will call out things like: “4 pairs of leggings” or “6 pairs of undies” and they will go to their room and choose their items. I will then add them to our piles. Sometimes I have to edit, like when baby girl wants to bring 4 dresses to go to Florida for a long weekend… but at least they have some say in what clothes (and plushies – baby girl loves her Beanie Boos) they bring. Lately I have also been giving baby girl a gallon sized zip lock bag and letting her fill it up with whatever little toys (like Shopkins and Moana figures) she would like. That way I know we are bringing stuff she wants to play with, but it limits the amount of toys.
Vacation Packing Tip: Never Unpack Travel Items
I keep my travel toiletry bag packed at all times. Before each trip, I check that I have what I need and refill what is low. I keep a gallon sized Ziploc bag in the linen closet filled with extra travel toiletries – extra little toothpastes we get from the dentist, or travel shampoos and soaps I might grab from a hotel.
I also do this with our hair ties and clips. I keep a snack sized Ziploc bag filled with hair ties, bobby pins, and barrettes. That way I can just pack that in the suitcase and baby girl and I are set for hair accessories!
I also like to use plastic bags (like you get from the supermarket and CVS) and Ziploc bags when I travel. When I unpack after a trip, I leave the plastic bags and Ziplocs (if they are in fine condition) in the suitcase for next time!
I also keep my carry on bag loaded with extra pens, hair ties, a small notebook, hand sanitizer, chapstick, an extra pair of earbuds and the small travel wallet that I use when I’m on the road. That way I don’t have to switch these essentials between my big purse and my travel bag!
Vacation Packing Tip: Travel Toys
In our game closet, we have a bin that is filled with the items we use only for travel. My kid’s ipad headphones (Kidz Gear, they are seriously the best!), Ziploc bags of crayons and markers, workbooks and little travel games (we like travel checkers, chess and Spot-It). Whenever we go to a party and get a little favor that might be good for travel, I put it here. Or if I am at Five Below or a Dollar store, I might pick up some little games or books to add to this bin. For the kids, I like to have a new game or workbook for each trip!
I am actually off to pack for my next trip. I have my list ready, I just need to figure out what outfits (and shoes!) I want to bring! I’d love some tips for that…
What are your best vacation packing tips??
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More awesome Travel Packing Tips:
Wanderer’s Fashion Basics, Part I
Wanderer’s Fashion Basics, Part II
Tips for Surviving Long Flights With Kids
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I’m all for the “Lay It Out”! It definitely makes it easier to see if I have wayyy too much of the same thing. Great tips!
I’ve been considering purchasing special “travel toiletries” because I hate having to jam in my regular size products!
especially if you carry on! I honestly try to grab a bunch at a hotel if they have good products!
Great tips! I do the same re: not unpacking travel items. It saves time and it’s ready to go for your next adventure!
This is an awesome post, we are actually leaving for a trip in a week. These can at the right time!
I am such a list maker! I love the idea of having travel toys ready to be packed!
I love these tips. I too make lengthy lists for each family member. It helps so much!
I always to the packing if I leave it up to my kids they will have nothing in there bags lol
All of these tips are awesome. I think traveling with kids can seem especially daunting, but these tips make it seem more realistic. Thanks for these tips!
I also use the list and lay out strategies as I pack for trips. I always pack extra ziplock bags. You never know when they’ll come in handy on the road!
yes, good tip!
I like the idea of lists.
I couldn’t agree more with making a list! We don’t travel much, but when it comes to packing for 9, someone ALWAYS forgets something. I’m bad about telling the kids what they need, and thinking they will remember. I pack for the 3 youngest, then have to check with the older 4 to make sure they don’t forget their toothbrush, hairbrush, or heaven forbid, deodorant. We’ve had to stop and buy those, socks, underwear, swimsuits…the list goes on. A real list would save us from these extra expenses and stress.
packing for 9 I cant imagine! honestly, if we have to stop and buy a forgotten item, its usually for my husband!
I like to write my packing list too! For my husband, for myself, for my son and for the handcarry. I do this every trip. I never though ziploc has lots of uses. I will definitely use it more. I like your tips!
I love this! I am a list maker too!! I also keep a designated area for all our stuff and keep adding until its time to pack!
Yes, I have a travel bin in our game closet, and I also keep our travel toiletries together!
great tips, i write a list for our travels. packing kids stuff takes up so much room LOL
This is really helpful. I do lists for everything except packing. I do not really enjoy packing much so I tend to leave it to the last minute and mess it up every time!
I love packing, but I always forget something. For instance the last time I forgot my boyfriends toothbrush. I never forget anything that I need though 🙂
This is pretty much exactly how I pack, too. Great minds think alike!
These are great! I think lists are my saving grace when going away!
These are great tips! I’m totally with you about the lists! I’m a list maker for everything in life. We leave for a cruise on Sunday and I’ve got my packing lists made. Definitely going to do the lay it out trick too
Enjoy your cruise! So Jealous!
When I last read this post I don’t remember seeing the portion on laying everything out before packing it away. That’s genius.
I have a packing spreadsheet that I print and use every time I go on a trip. It’s so helpful to have it all written out and that way I don’t forget anything super important.
that is such a good idea!
Great tips! Packing, traveling with kids can be so much more stressful when it is unorganized! These are some great ideas to take away some of the confusion on what and how to pack!
I am so anxious about packing! I’m always worried I’ve forgotten something. Despite all my list!
I’m the same–I love the planning part, hate the packing. I need to start making a list, because we leave for Alaska in less than 3 weeks!
wow! have a great trip!
Travel toys are a brilliant idea!
I take gallon size bags and pack a days clothes in it for my son (undies, pants, shirt, and socks) this way we have one bag for each day and then I have a few extras for spills/ accidents. Also each morning he knows he can grab a bag that has everything and he can get dressed. Makes it so much easier for the packing as I can squish that air out and they take up little room. Great for cruising eat. Then we have extra baggies fo the trip there or wet clothes etc on the way back.
thats a great idea because we are doing a big road trip, wont want to unpack all the stuff just for a few nights!