We started traveling when my kids were very young. The mom, that’s me, did all the packing. I didn’t know how to pack for family travel the best, but just collected everything and shoved it together and sat on the suitcase to close it. You can imagine the chaos as it was opened and rifled through in the hotel room later on.
Because we fly standby, we try to keep our luggage with us at all times. This means we have to fit everything in carry-on bags.
I also traveled alone with my kids, so I needed to pack light enough to be able to carry all the luggage, stroller and car seats (oh, and the kids) on my own.
What’s wrong with the way I pack?
I use to pack according to each person, separating mom, dad, son, daughter, baby, etc. Since we only traveled with a couple of carry-ons all the clothes were smashed together. No one knew where their stuff was (including me at times!).
It was frustrating that the kids would rifle through the luggage looking for a pair of socks or underwear and everything would be a mess. Any sort of organization I had was now gone. Even my husband couldn’t help get the kids ready because he couldn’t find what they needed. And, let’s be honest, he wouldn’t put them in matching clothes if he could find their clothes.
How to pack for family travel?
Start with Packing Cubes
This style of packing starts with using packing cubes for organization.
Packing cubes allow you to compact many clothing into a small space. Usually, I can squeeze in so much more in a cube than I ever thought possible. Packing cubes are very affordable and extremely useful.
At first, I was resistant to spending money on packing cubes. I used reusable grocery sacks or other bags. While that works for organization, it doesn’t compact the clothing.
It is well worth the minimal cost for packing cubes improving your travel experience. For under $20 you can get 4-6 packing cubes to minimize packing space and stay more organized. The amazon basics are great, but most are very comparable.
The great part about packing cubes is they are a separate, self-contained bag! If your luggage expands during your trip (I’m looking at all you souvenir buyers!) you can use the packing cubes as another piece of luggage. On the way home, you can just pull out a packing cube and use it as a separate bag. Once, I was checking a suitcase and it was too heavy. I just pulled out one packing cube and checked it separately. It came out in baggage claim just like a regular suitcase would. Easy to use as a separate bag if needed.
How to Organize Packing
Even with packing cubes, organization according to each person in my family proved to be a chaotic and messy process. We had to open every suitcase and every packing cube any time we were getting dressed or ready for bed. Plus, the minute a packing cube was opened, all the contents were all over the place; I couldn’t tell what was clean or dirty at all.
After many frustrating times getting my family ready for bed or for the day, I have changed my methods.
Pack by Day
Instead of packing by the person, I now pack by day. When I open a packing cube at the hotel in the evening, I will find
The next morning, I fill the now-empty cube up with the used PJs and clothing from the previous day. I only have to open one packing cube instead of all 4 carry-ons. Dirty and clean clothes stay separated.
Pack by Event
I also pack by an event. This means I put everything the whole family needs to go swimming together. When we are ready to swim, I pull out one packing cube, open and everyone can get ready at the same time.
Pack all of the family’s church clothes, wedding attire, family photo outfits, hiking clothes or whatever event you are attending together.
You could even label the cube. You can ask Dad to grab the yellow cube, open and viola! Everyone in the family has what they need to get ready for the event.
Roll outfits together
I use to stack and fold all the clothes, and while this works ok, I’ve found an even more productive solution.
I roll each of the kid’s outfits together (with underwear in the middle). This way I can hand out a roll to each person and they have everything they need to be ready for the day. Rolling clothes compress them, creating more space in your suitcase. On top of that benefit, rolling the outfit together also helps to be more organized.
When there is only 1 outfit available, there is no arguing about what they are wearing. This means if you’d like everyone to be matching, or at least coordinating, you roll all those outfits in the same cube and you are set for the day. Thinking ahead will save you the stress later on.
As a mom of 4 who does almost all the packing, finding clothing and dressing each of my kids can be an overwhelming part of traveling. This one travel tip has saved my sanity. It is a cheap and simple way to make sure everyone has what they need every day and for each event.
Packing Light
After several years of traveling several times a month, plus, adding a few more kids to the mix, I pride myself on packing light, organized and accessible.
By packing light I don’t mean only bringing one extra outfit. I have 4 kids and they all need clothes, underwear, PJs and shoes. Packing light means literally choosing clothing, jackets, and shoes that take up less space. It means making what you need to pack fit in better.
I buy clothes that aren’t bulky. Jackets that can be compressed to take up very little room are always prioritized over bulky or heavy material. Sure we may own the larger, heavy clothing, but I don’t take it on our trips.
We typically travel with blankets, but not all blankets are created equal when it comes to fitting them in luggage. We usually bring blankets from the airline because they fit in small spaces and compact easily.
Packing Tight
I fit as much in as few bags as possible. I can typically fit 4 packing cubes into a carry-on. This means 4 days worth of clothes.
In another carry-on, I throw in shoes, pre-packed toiletries, swimsuits, jackets or other needs. For a long weekend for a family of 6, we get by with only 2 carry-ons and backpacks with food and toys.
Packing tighter
Do you have a get tip for how to pack for family travel? Please share it in the comments!
You may also be interested in these packing ideas:
The Perfect, Pre-Packed Toiletries list here.
Top Five Money and Sanity- Saving Products for Traveling with Kids
What to Pack? Travel Essentials for Traveling with kids
Should kids carry their own luggage or not?
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