What Is the Best Way to Pack When Traveling With Kids?
Why do children need exponentially more things than adults every time you leave the house, especially when traveling? While you can easily pack your personal items in your carry-on, you will need several very large suitcases to carry all of your children’s clothes, toys and equipment.
Sure, there are essentials you just can’t leave at home when traveling with kids, but it’s possible to cut costs and get by with less . Here are some strategies for your next family vacation.
How to take less baby stuff with you on a trip
When packing for your kids, think about how you pack a lighter for yourself. Ask what you really need, what you can keep, and how everything you bring can do double duty.
Opt for smaller (and versatile) gear. Having all the gear you’re used to, especially for babies and toddlers, can make your trip more comfortable, but do you really need it? A stroller might be fine at the airport, but a carrier or a backpack will work too. Perhaps one blanket can be used in different ways. If you must take everything with you, consider investing in lightweight items that fold, deflate, or otherwise pack tightly.
Rent or borrow equipment at your destination. Most hotels provide cribs to guests upon request, and you can filter your Airbnb search to listings that also have cribs (and ask the host what else is child-friendly in their home, like toys and child seats). Family restaurants often have high chairs. When visiting family members who also have children, you can probably share some things.
When using car sharing services, you may be able to request a car seat, eliminating the need to bring it with you. Both Lyft and Uber offer car seats for $10 per ride. Car rental companies usually also offer car seats – these get expensive with daily allowances, but you can get them for free from some AAA membership companies.
If you need more bulky equipment that you don’t want to take with you, use the children’s equipment rental service . These companies will deliver strollers, high chairs, car seats, cribs and more directly to your hotel or rental home.
Buy standard items when you arrive. You don’t need to pack enough diapers to cover the entire trip. Promise. The same goes for anything you can easily buy at the grocery store or pharmacy, like extra snacks and toiletries. In addition, rented houses and hotels usually have standard items such as shampoo. If your child doesn’t have a special need or you’re heading to a remote location, you can save space by restocking at your destination.
Don’t (necessarily) plan for every contingency. If the chance of bad weather is low, you probably don’t need to bring a full set of raincoats for every member of the family. You can buy ponchos or extra layers if you absolutely need them.
Organize outfits ahead of time. A little planning goes a long way in making sure you only bring what you need. Lay out outfits day after day—and maybe even package and label them individually—so you don’t end up with a bunch of random pieces or one T-shirt and one pair of pants. Limit shoes to only those essentials that are suitable for most activities. Consider darker colors and patterns that don’t show dirt and stains as easily, in case you need to re-wear.
Depending on your child’s age, your plans, and your access to laundry facilities, bring as much as you need.
Choose accommodation with a washer/dryer. If you’re staying somewhere for a long period, look for a house on Airbnb or for rent that has a washer and dryer. You’ll be able to carry fewer outfits per person, and you won’t need an entire suitcase full of dirty laundry to take home.
Give children limited space. If your kids are old enough to pack their bags, or at least help them, give them limited space to do so. When their backpack or packing box is full, they may not take any additional personal items with them. Of course, it would be a good idea to check what they have collected, so that not all toys and underwear. Similarly, if you are packing them for them, try to limit them to one packing cube.
How to pack wisely when traveling with kids
So, you cut out all the excess – now it’s time to pack it.
Pack and label everything. We have already mentioned the organization of outfits and limiting the space allotted for each child. Take a packing cube or a large Ziploc and write your child’s name on it. All cubes or bags are then packed into either a large family suitcase or a separate backpack, and are placed in separate boxes or corners of the room upon arrival.
Take extra plastic bags or cubes with you. Throw in a few extra Ziplocs to fill up with souvenirs or travel items. This keeps everything low-key and organized. Also, take a few plastic bags from the supermarket with you to collect dirty items and separate them from other things.
Pack shared toiletries and a first aid kit. Again, with Ziplocs: get essential first aid supplies in one place, so if you need patches, neosporin, or over-the-counter medications, you can grab one bag instead of looking in separate toiletries kits.
Take a pull-out basket or laundry basket with you. If you’re on a trip and have space, consider bringing a pull-out bin that you can use to collect dirty clothes while on vacation so you can either wash or take everything home at the end rather than repacking him in suitcases. This hamper or laundry hamper can also be used to store pillows, towels, or other common items that don’t fit in separate bags.