Travel Tips To Avoid Overpacking When Traveling With Kids

 

Packing for a vacation is difficult enough. Packing for yourself and your children appears to be an insurmountable task. That sounds just about right. Between the diapers, extra clothing in case of blow-outs, sand pails, and stuffed animals, it feels like you’ve got to pack the entire house for a week-long vacation. However, there are a few methods you may attempt to simplify what you pack without feeling too minimalist. Because you don’t want to be carrying your luggage across an airport while also attempting to grip your child’s hand. Attempt to fit all your possessions into two or one suitcases. It is possible if you follow the appropriate guidelines.

Use Hard Shell Suitcase:

Hard shell bags can contain a surprising lot of items, and most include organizing sections on both sides. The lightweight and robust exterior protects your bag contents and keeps you from overpacking. If it doesn’t fit, you can’t pack it.

Pack Neutral Color Outfits For Your Vacation:

Grays, blacks, and earth tones don’t show dirt as quickly, and we all know that no matter what the activity, kids find a way to make every item of clothing dirty. Furthermore, if everything has the same color scheme, you may mix and match ensembles. Remember that you’ll all appear coordinated in photos as well.

We Think We Require Many Clothes For Vacation But That’s Not True:

I’ll accept that newborns and toddlers tend to become dirtier faster, so having extra clothing comes in handy. However, We tend to overpack “what if” clothing and then have to tell ourselves to take those out because we’ll be fine without them. Of course, there’s always the option of washing and re-wearing.

Check The Weather Of Your Destination Before You Start Packing:

Is the location you’ll be visiting cold in the evening? If this is the case, you should bring more than just shorts and shirts. Is there a chance of rain during the week you’ll be there? If you want to go sightseeing, you may wish to bring a water-resistant windbreaker. (It may also be worn as a jacket if it’s cold outside.) Otherwise, you may want to wing it and take a risk, then get an umbrella and a souvenir sweater when you arrive. Everything will go smoothly. Checking the weather might help you to organize your clothes accordingly.

You Can Always Use Packing Cubes:

Packing cubes will assist compress garments, and by dividing their things into packing cubes, you will be able to pack more than one person per bag. They function as drawers within the bag, keeping you organized during the journey.

Use Your Things As Multi-Purpose:

Sure, baby wipes are used for diaper changes. They’re also wonderful for cleaning up messes, wiping away crumbs left behind by your children, and cleaning aircraft surfaces. Muslin blankets may be used to keep the baby warm, as a nursing cover, as a makeshift pillow, to cushion electronics in your luggage, or in an emergency as a spit-up cloth. Make use of your creativity!

Ask Your Children To Bring Their BackPacks:

We instructed the youngsters on the task of packing their carry-on backpacks. Usually, we encourage them to bring a Color Wonder coloring book, their Kindle and headphones, a toy, a water bottle, and snacks, but they are free to bring anything they like, and they are responsible for keeping track of everything. That may sound harsh to three and five-year-olds, but we want children to understand that they cannot bring anything and everything on a vacation since someone must carry it.

You Can Always Buy Diapers From Your Destination:

If you’re traveling with only carry-on luggage and have newborns or toddlers, your best bet is to pack only enough diapers and wipes for the trip (plus a few extra just in case), then buy some when you arrive. You may pick them up at most places’ convenience stores or supermarket stores.

Ziplock Bags Are The Best Thing To Pack While Traveling With Kids:

They organize the inside of your carry-on, hold an extra change of clothes in case of blowouts, hold the dirty clothes post-blowout, collect garbage (kids eat a lot of snacks and generate a lot of garbage), hold dirty diapers in case you’re nowhere near garbage, and keep bottles and liquids from spilling or leaking onto the rest of your stuff. Always include a couple in your backpack before going on a trip.

Use A Baby Carrier:

Many minimalist packing advice recommends ditching the stroller in favor of a baby carrier, but if you’ve ever had a toddler as energetic and hyperactive as mine, you’ll know that’s not necessarily the greatest option for every family. I like how a lightweight stroller can contain our water bottles and serve as a basis for our other children to grip onto while we travel quickly through airports. A stroller may be gate-checked and used to keep your kid entertained until you board the plane. Sometimes all you need is a place to put your child and feed them snacks.

Rent A Car Seat:

You can always hire car seats when you arrive if you’re heading to a place where you’ll be renting a car. Most airlines will also let you check your car seat for free if you are concerned about the car seats at the rental location or do not want to spend the money.

Don’t Pack Toys:

You don’t require toys while traveling. The in-flight magazine, the people surrounding them, the unplugged sound machine, a paper plate, or remote control with the batteries removed will keep the youngsters occupied. Seriously. For long-haul trips, try a Kindle Fire Kid’s Edition with educational apps, novels, and a few TV episodes (if your kids are old enough and you’re okay with a little screen time on the road).

Try To Enjoy The Adventure Of New Places:

When traveling with babies and toddlers, packing light implies that a lot may go wrong, and you may be forced to perform extra effort or buy/rent more equipment at your destination. However, the payoff is a sense of freedom and lightness as you navigate the world with your children. You learn to rely on your community, strangers, and your imagination. It’s a wonderful sensation, and an excellent reality check to teach your children.

In the end, it doesn’t matter how much or how little you pack on the journey. Try not to get too wrapped up in bringing as little as possible for pride or bragging rights. Identifying and working with what “minimalist packing” means to your family. Traveling together means having new experiences that bring the whole family closer together and enrich the bonding.