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You’ve bought the plane tickets, reserved your hotel room and the kids are bouncing off the walls with excitement. The only thing left to do is pack. There’s no putting it off.
It’s hard enough thinking about what you’re going to need for yourself while on vacation, let alone wondering what to pack for the children. But with this guide, it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. In fact, because you’ll know exactly what they need, you’ll enjoy packing for them and feel more excited about your trip.
In This Post:
1. Good Ratio Of Tops And Bottoms
Your children will dirty their t-shirts and blouses faster and more often than they will their bottoms and skirts. So, to combat this, you will be better off packing two tops for every bottom. This technique is used by many mothers, so you can use it to start releasing your stress. Just think about how many times the children have spilled food or drink. Most of the time whatever is spilled collects on their tops so it makes sense to have more of them, right?
Helpful tip: on the day you travel to the airport, dress your kid in some bright colors or something distinctive. This will make it far easier to keep an eye on them, especially if you’re traveling in the summer when airports tend to get really crowded.
2. Onesies
This is a must if you are going on vacation with babies. They make outfit ideas so easy. When you’re out and about, slip them into your handbag, a separate travel bag or just in the buggy. Bright colors and patterned onesies are perfect and you don’t even need that many. They can even be worn during the day or the night. You will truly appreciate their versatility.
3. Lots Of Underwear
You’ll be glad that you pack so much. If there’s anything you need to prioritize, it’s underwear. If you’re going on vacation with a baby, make sure you pack lots of diapers. In this case, it’s better to have too many than not enough because they could be expensive if you run out and have to buy local. It’s also a good idea to pack plenty of socks, like those designed by No Cold Feet. As noted by Gift Wits, they are very comfortable and will help protect your kids from sore feet if you’ve bought them new shoes for the vacation.
4. Swim Gear
You may not even be planning on going to the beach on vacation. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to bring some gear with you. While you’re out exploring, there may be a time where your kids can cool off under a sprinkler or in a wet-play area. Many hotels also have pools, either inside or outside, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of them. If they have yet to learn to swim, what better way to start out than on vacation?
5. Waterproofs
You never know what’s coming. You can check the weather a million times, but it can all change in the blink of an eye. Make sure you pack waterproof raincoats for your children. For the younger ones, it’s a good idea to pack some rain pants, too. If you’re actually planning to go somewhere with frequent rainfall, galoshes are a must-have. These are also great for packing all your shower essentials like shampoo and sunscreen. Just shove them into the boots!
On the other hand, if you’d rather pack something a bit lighter than a raincoat, a poncho is the perfect replacement. They tend to be far cheaper than rain gear, especially if you’re forced to buy one while you’re at the attraction site. They are also far lighter to wear (and carry around if your child doesn’t/won’t wear it) and come pre-packaged so they will save you a lot of space.
6. PJs
Your kids may wear a different pair of PJs every night while you’re at home, but you don’t need more than two for each child when you’re packing for vacation. Why? Because you’ll never use any more than that so it’s a waste of space in your suitcase. The same goes for towels, as they are provided by the hotel, and toys.
7. Warm Clothes
Even the middle of summer can get cold in the evenings. The children will feel that chill more than you. The temperature also drops when you’re flying at 30,000 feet, so it’s a good idea to pack some warmer clothes for these moments. You don’t need to go overboard. The odd sweater for your toddler and a blanket for your baby will do just the trick. Keep them close by for when it’s time to cuddle up and stay warm together.
8. Character Costumes
This is a great way to get your child in the mood for your vacation. Dress them up as one of their favorite characters. They will absolutely love it and will look totally adorable. Just think how great it will be to see your kids beam with pride as they’re greeted by attraction staff while in character. They’ll be wearing a smile all day long, which will make for amazing photos since it’ll all be completely natural.
9. Shoes
In terms of travel shoes, closed-toe sandals are ideal if you only want to pack one pair. They’ll provide a good grip on all surfaces and keep your children’s little feet well protected. Water shoes are great for taking to the beach so they don’t hurt themselves on sharp shells or hot sand. If you’re going on a city break, you can’t go wrong with a good pair of sneakers.
10. Wash Clothes in Sinks
This is just a really helpful tip. Your kids are going to make their clothes dirty. That is just what happens on vacation. It’s pretty much inevitable. Knowing this, it’s a good idea to pack some travel-sized detergent in your suitcase so you can wash their clothes in the sink. This way, you won’t need to buy more clothes if they run out, saves you the expense of overpriced hotel washers or, worst, cause your children to wear unwashed clothes.