Being seasoned travelers, we learned through trial and error on how to efficiently get ready for a family vacation! Packing isn’t fun, but if a vacation is on the calendar, it’s a necessity. It is normal to procrastinate, but don’t do it. Last-minute packers are over packers, especially when packing for a family. Read on for our tried-and-true tips for making the task as easy as possible and to reduce the risk on forgetting any essentials.
START EARLY
A week before the trip, stage an out-of-the-way area for pre-packing. As you think of things you’ll need, like sunscreen, ski pants, or energy bars, you can toss them in a box or a space-saving packing cube. Plan to spend 15 minutes a day on a portion of this task. First, do clothes. Make sure to check the 10-day weather forecast for your destination so you can pack accordingly. Lay the clothes out by category on the dining room table: pajamas, tops, bottoms, dresses, hats, and shoes, and double-check to avoid duplication. For moms and kids, bring dresses, shorts/pants and tops that can be worn in different ways by adding an accessory or a different jacket. Don’t bring a different pair of shoes for each outfit. But do pack all elements of each outfit together!
MICRO PACKING
Next, do grooming items. These should always be packed within a sealed ziplock to prevent leakage. Never pack full-sized shampoos or lotions; they hog precious storage space. Either buy travel sizes or pour what you need into travel bottles. Create a travel pharmacy: a zippered pouch with products that deal with any and all medical maladies. Include medicines, and a kit stocked with products to fight germs, alleviate ear pressure, fight sudden onset of a cold, cover cuts, and address allergies, mystery rashes, and stomach aches.
MUNCHIE TIME
Snacks are essential when traveling with children, and you don’t want to wait until they get hungry and cranky. Stock up on easy-to-transport items, like granola bars, instant oatmeal, re-sealable dried fruit and nuts, squeezable applesauce, carrots and hard-boiled eggs. Tuck a few special treats, like lollipops, candy and cookies, into your bag. Bribery material never hurts.
ENTERTAINMENT
Bring toys, gadgets and fun activities to engage the kids through the hours of travel. It helps to have a “surprise happy” on hand, whether it be a new coloring book, a travel game or a new puzzle app for their gadgets!. When delays happen you want to be armed with whatever it takes to keep the kids occupied!
IT’S GO TIME
The day before the trip, go back and review what you have ready to go. Are there too many pairs of shoes? Are you covered with toiletries, snacks and entertainment? Chances are, you can slim down the clothing, and if you missed anything, there’s time to pick it up before you leave.
Now you can pack up garments in your packing cube—one for each family member—which compresses clothing and keeps everything organized. When you arrive at your destination, simply transfer them from suitcase to a drawer and go off to enjoy the trip.
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*Castles & Crowns specializes in smocked, appliquéd and monogrammable children’s clothing in all sizes. We are recognized for our classic styles, unique fabrics, quality construction, fast service and affordable pricing. We are the top Gulf Coast based children’s clothing company and we look forward to outfitting your children in our adorable clothes!
