The ultimate goal of packing is to pack only the essentials. Non-essential items can either be bought or rented at your destination. Your luggage should contain what you just need for the weeklong trip.
First is to establish the destination, where the family is going, what kind of a trip you are going to.
Since its a weeklong activity, family should pack one outfit for a day and some extras for evening or formal dining, for kids it should be twice outfit for a day since kids normally change morning and evening right before they hit the bed.
Packing will also depend if the kids are older or babies/younger.
What to Pack for a Weeklong Trip with Kids
For older children, it can be good to pack:
- wipes
- plastic bags – handy for rubbish or vomit
- spare clothes, in case of spills, accidents or delays
- hand sanitizer
- water in refillable drink bottles
- healthy snacks
- books, toys and games – ask your child to help you choose
- medication if your child needs it
- first aid kit
For babies and younger children, it can be good to pack everything on the list above and add:
- nappies or pull-ups
- spare clothes if your child is toilet training
- a portable changing mat
- your child’s favorite cuddly toy
- blankets or wraps
- a pram or car seat (if they’re not available where you’re going)
Family travel is more fun for children and easier for you if your children are entertained. Here are some ideas.
If you have a screen or tablet device in the car, make sure it’s fully charged and you have plenty of movies loaded onto it.
Take some music that your child enjoys, or make a family playlist with your children before you go.
Take some games – for example, checkers with magnetic pieces or card games.
Use sticker books or blank books and colored pencils to keep your child’s imagination and hands busy.
If you’ve got more than one child, pack toys and books for each child.
Remember that the one outfit for a day mentioned earlier must include among others, underwear, bathing suits, casual tops, shorts/ pants, one formal outfit, pajamas, jacket/sweatshirt and socks. While choosing socks, you can pick from soccer socks, baseball socks, basketball socks, football socks or custom baseball stirrups that all children love wearing, especially when on a holiday, playing their favorite game.
when it comes to shoes, wear the most comfortable casual shoes, a dressier shoe for some unexpected or expected dinner, flip flops or sandals and or water shoes if needed.
And never bring new shoes on a trip they may cause blisters.
No matter where the travel is, the family might stay under the sun, and sunscreen and bug spray can cost a fortune at gift shops or airport pharmacies, so pack these essentials:
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Hat for each family member
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm
- Swim goggles
- Aloe vera gel
- and for cold weather destinations you might need
- Hand warmers
- Gloves
- Hats
They maybe for emergency cases but they should always be in the priority list when travelling.
Here is a round down of the medical stuff needed for a family trip
- Insurance card
- Medications
- Children’s Tylenol/Ibuprofen
- Thermometer
- Motion sickness medication if necessary
- Hand sanitizer (keep one hanging on your backpack at all times – and the spray version is especially good for kids!)
- Small first-aid kit (include anti-itch cream, Band-Aids, tweezers)
- Toiletries are essential but if staying in a hotel do not pack shampoos and the likes.
- Bring Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Comb/brush
- Hair accessories
- Razors (shaving gear)
- Deodorant
- Hair supplies
- Makeup
- Skin cleanser and moisturizers
Here are personal for things that you may need when traveling.
- Passports/documents (make sure they’re up-to-date!)
- Glasses, Phones, Laptops, Tablets, Chargers for all electronics
- Cameras
- Jewelry
- Headphones
- Reusable day bags
- Corkscrews
- Playing cards
- Retainers/mouth guards
- Outlet adapters if traveling abroad
Among the critical carry-on items, you should bring with you can pick:
- Cash/credit cards
- Warm socks
- Jackets or hoodies
- Lysol wipes (to wipe down the plane tray and window)
- Earplugs
- Eye masks
- Inflatable pillows
- Headphones
- Chargers
- Snacks, gum, food
- Refillable water bottles
- Any essential toiletries
- Any essential medications
With the pandemic and other countries still recovering from the aftermath, other country still has strict health protocols, it is always wise to check on places’ guidelines in entrance of travelers before the actual vacation.
Make sure, no matter how you’re getting to your destination, to always have a face mask on you. It’s a good idea to keep a few extras in your carry-on or personal item as well.
Sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer, while always a good idea to have on hand at the airport, have become absolute carry-on musts. Wipe down frequently touched surfaces by your plane seat or in your hotel room for peace of mind.
Bring health passes, and other pertinent documents that may ensure smooth visit to places.
Check that you have your vaccine passport or negative Covid-19 test results handy. Many destinations and airlines require one of these forms of proof to proceed. Bring along a laminated copy of your vaccine card for extra insurance.
It is always good to travel with family and kids
It is always good to travel with family especially with kids, you’re away from everyday distractions and long working hours.
Families really have the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time together, and at a much slower pace than at home. You simply have the time to spend together to talk and be in each other’s company and create lasting memories.
Specific benefits of travelling with family is that, you are happier, disconnected to stressful everyday working and living conditions, relief from stress and anxiety, it also exposes family to new things especially the little ones.
It is always good for a travelling family with kids to have a packing list.
Packing list itemizes the contents of each luggage. It includes weights, measurements and detailed lists of what is inside in each luggage. The packing list should be included in luggage, and can be attached to the outside of a package with a copy inside. or you can save the list on your cellphone, whatever is convenient