You already know that packing yourself for a trip is not an easy thing to do – there are so many things to think about. On the other hand, packing your whole family for a trip is a whole new level of challenge. The point of packing for a trip is to pack only necessary items and be efficient and not to take too much luggage as that’s not practical. When it comes to packing your family for a trip, the destination, weather, and the aim of your trip are all affecting factors. First, you must decide on these.
After that comes creating a packing list way before the trip. And then starts the packing. Among the necessary things to pack, there are clothing essentials, toiletries, and special baby/kids’ items. It would be advisable that everyone carry their own backpack if possible. Even though it’s too easy to go overboard with stuff, you should try not to do that. Whatever you’re packing, think about whether you really need it.
1. Start with a packing list
When it comes to packing a family, it’s a bit difficult to keep everything in your head. If you pack in that way, you will most likely forget something. So, to prevent that from happening, you should create a packing list way before your trip. It would be great to start as soon as possible as in that way, you give yourself enough time to add things that you remember later on. The best way to go with the packing list is to divide it into categories according to members of your family or different items such as clothing, toiletries, shoes, and so on. Whatever works for you. You can even find a ready-made packing list online; just make sure that you adjust it to your needs.
2. Pack clothing essentials
When you have the packing list ready, you can start packing. We often start with clothes. What you bring on your trip will depend on where you’re going. Packing is completely different for summer and winter trips. If you’re traveling to a colder destination, you need to pack warm baby clothes as well as winter clothes for yourself. What you need to keep in mind when it comes to packing for a winter trip – the clothes are thicker and bigger, thus taking up more space in the suitcase. Packing for a summer trip, on the other hand, requires different types of clothes – they are smaller in size as well as thinner. You should think twice about each item you plan to take. Pro packing space-saving tip: pack items that you can mix and match and suitable shoes.
3. Don’t forget toiletries and special baby/kids’ items
Besides clothes and shoes, there are also other items that we need for a trip. When considering the toiletries, it would be perhaps best that you create a list for every family member. For instance, usual toiletries that we take include shampoo and conditioner, day and night cream, moisturizer, razors, deodorant, perfume, hair brush, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and makeup. If your family has babies or kids, there are also some special items that you might need. These include diapers, wipes, creams, bibs, pacifiers, strollers, car seats, and so on. You also should forget about the chargers, earplugs, travel pillows, headphones – basically, everything you use on a daily and weekly basis.
4. Have everyone carry their backpack
If possible, it would be great if everyone carried their own backpack. Of course, this is only possible if you have older kids. You shouldn’t, though, overpack their backpacks. They can perhaps carry some snacks, toys, and personal items in their bags. After all, they are kids, and they can’t and shouldn’t carry too much on their backs. However, they can carry some essential things definitely.
5. Don’t overpack
The usual mistake when packing is that we overpack. We simply take too many things. You should try and be objective and smart when it comes to packing. Take only the things you really need. A good strategy to employ is that you lay out clothes that you plan to take on the bed and carefully consider them. Pack your outfits for days you’ll be away and take some for a few ‘in case’ scenarios.
If you start considering what to take on a trip on time, and you take only what you really need, you’ ’ll definitely manage to be efficient in packing for your upcoming trip.