There’s something exhilarating about leaving behind the everyday hustle and bustle of life and creating lasting memories with your family. As you start packing your favorite travel shoes and keep a mental note to take your phone, wallet and keys with you as you head out the door, there are some things that every person needs to strike a balance between overpacking and making sure you have all the essentials.
Packing for a family vacation can be an exciting and stressful — all at the same time. To help relieve some pre-vacation stress, here’s a list of eight things to keep in mind when packing for any family vacation.
1. Necessary Travel Documents
The U.S. Department of State recommends you make two copies of your travel documents in case of emergency by leaving one copy with a trusted friend or family member at home and another that you carry with you on your travels but separately from your original documents. You should pack travel documents for all of your family, including passports and applicable visas. Consider getting travel insurance as a safety net. Having these documents readily available helps give you and your family peace of mind so you can focus on creating lasting memories instead of dealing with the stress of avoidable hassles.
2. Medications and First Aid Kit
If you or your family have any medications that you regularly take, it’s imperative to pack those with you to continue taking them in a timely manner. Even if you and your family don’t take medications regularly, it’s a good idea to be prepared and pack a first aid kit. A well-stocked first aid kit can provide immediate relief for unexpected injuries like cuts and scrapes.
3. Travel-Friendly Clothing
When figuring out what clothes to pack, include layers for changing weather and comfortable walking shoes like closed-toe shoes. Consider getting versatile and lightweight clothing that will save space in your luggage. Versatile clothing is easy to mix and match, so you don’t need to pack an excessive wardrobe. Travel-friendly clothing is often wrinkle-resistant and can dry quickly, making doing laundry on the go a breeze.
4. Toiletries
While many hotels are stocked with toiletries like shampoo, conditioner and body wash, they don’t always have skin-sensitive options that are important for young children. Many hotels aren’t stocked with enough toiletries in your room to adequately support a larger family. Pack toiletries in advance that your family uses for both the adults and the kids. Having toiletries that everyone is familiar with can help everyone feel clean and fresh throughout the entire family vacation.
5. Portable Entertainment for the Kids
As much as we may not want to readily provide our kids with too much screen time, the reality is that you’ll need to ward off boredom during long trips. To reduce their restlessness or fits of frustration, pack some portable entertainment like video game consoles or a tablet they can watch a movie on. If you do practice screen time limits, consider setting a hard limit, like 30 minutes or one hour when you’re on the road or for the duration of a flight.
6. Travel Accessories
Travel accessories include sleep masks and travel-sized pillows, or anything else that will make your trip more comfortable. It also includes travel-friendly shoes like cute flats that can be worn on a plane, while driving a car or just walking around a new city. Don’t forget about electronic accessories like power banks and adapters, especially if you’re traveling internationally.
7. Snacks and Beverages
Packing snacks and beverages is a must if you’re going on a long car ride with the kids. If you’re in the passenger seat, you can help the driver by providing them with bite-size snacks or handing them a bottle of water if they’re driving and need nourishment on the road. Pack some healthy sweet and savory snacks for the kids so they have variety.
8. Cash and Coin Purse
You never know when you’re going to need cash in a pinch. You may end up at a restaurant that only accepts cash, or you’re trying to gas up at a gas station and their credit card machine is down. If you’re running out of air in your tires, some gas stations only have air compressors that accept coins. Set aside cash and coins for your trip to be prepared for a variety of travel scenarios.
Preparing for a family vacation can feel like an art form. Remember that your packing list will vary depending on your preferences, destination and the ages of everyone you’re traveling with. Ultimately, the goal of packing for your upcoming trip is not just about making sure you stow away your favorite pair of travel shoes for women. It’s about making lasting memories while wearing those travel shoes and immersing yourself in the thrill of adventure. Safe travels and happy adventures await!
