Since we live abroad, I travel very often with the kids and always travel light. Whether we’re going on a car trip or flying internationally, I try to pack only the essentials, especially since I usually travel with the kids alone. Here are my tips for packing and traveling light with kids.
1) Take some laundry soap. This is probably my single biggest tip on packing light. Every time I shower, I hand wash our underwear and clothes and hang them to dry. It’s super easy and will save you a ton of space in your suitcase. On shorter trips I don’t worry about packing laundry soap and just use shampoo to wash clothes.
2) Pack clothes that are easy to mix and match like solids. I usually pack dresses for Olive since that means not having to worry about a matching top and bottom. And I pack solid colored shorts in neutral colors for Charlie so they can be mixed with any top.
3) Forget the pjs. Charlie is happy to sleep in his underwear while Olive wears a dress. One less thing to pack.
4) Share toiletries. I pack a bar of Dove Sensitive Skin soap that I use as a body wash and face wash for all of us. I don’t pack shampoo because we usually stay at an Airbnb, and they almost always provide shampoo. If a place doesn’t provide shampoo, use your kids’ shampoo to avoid having to pack two different kinds. I also bring toiletry samples like conditioner or face lotion if I have them on hand. While I was very particular about products when I was younger, I find that convenience trumps all when you have kids. The only thing I always do pack is toothbrushes and toothpaste for us.
5) Ziploc bags for the win. They keep things organized, save space, and prevent leaks. I can’t live without them when I travel!
6) Pack very few toys. Honestly just the excitement of being in a new place will be enough to keep kids occupied. They need much less toys than you think, and they will end up playing with things that aren’t toys (like the barf bag). I pack the kids’ kindles, color pencils, paper, a coloring book, a pack of cards, and let them choose a small toy like Shopkins or Calico Critters.
7) Take a multi-port usb charger. With my phone, laptop, two kindles, and battery packs we’re always charging our devices. A multi-port usb charger like this one lets us charge all our devices at once.
8) Pack granola bars. These are my go-to snacks for travel since they are filling and take up very little space.
9) Wear your heaviest shoes (sneakers) and clothes on the plane. They take up a lot of space in suitcases! Though we typically only take the shoes on our feet (flip flops), if we’re going somewhere colder or that will require a lot of walking we wear our sneakers.
10) Take a lightweight jacket that you can layer. Instead of packing a thick jacket when we went to Korea last spring, I took layers like long sleeve t-shirts, sweaters, and a lightweight jacket. This provides much more flexibility when it comes to weather fluctuations. I love these parkas from Uniqlo because they roll up into a tiny bag that it comes with.
11) Roll your clothes. Our carry-on suitcase has metal rods for the handle that stick up into the bottom of the suitcase. I roll the clothes that will go on the bottom so that it makes the best use of the space between the metal rods. Then I fold clothes on top of those regularly, and roll clothes into the rest of the nooks and crannies to maximize the space.
12) Buy things at your destination. I don’t stress about forgetting anything because I can usually buy what I need to at my destination.
13) Choose your luggage wisely. I only take one rolling carry-on suitcase whether we’re going on a road trip or to another country. When we recently went to Korea for 2 weeks, Charlie also carried a small rolling suitcase that held both his and Olive’s entertainment. Having only carry-on luggage saves you time, and my kids are old enough (almost 6 and 8) that we could take 3 rolling carry-on suitcases instead of one big one that we have to check in.
14) Keep a checklist saved. I save all my packing checklists in Excel on my Google Drive. That way I know I’m not forgetting anything!
Do you have any tips on packing light with kids?
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
Packing cubes. They allow me to start putting clothes out a bit earlier so I can think about what’s going in them. Once they’re full, they go in the suitcase. It helps me from throwing just a few extra items in.
If you really want to save time, get Global Entry and TSA Pre Check. So worth it.
cherry / 131 posts
Great tips need to get a multi hub USB charger… we r always scrambling to recharge everything at night
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I usually try to one bag carry on only on my trips with my LOs, especially if I solo travel… I love duffles/luggage that convert to backpacks so u have 2 hands free while traveling…
I also second packing cubes. Changed the way I was able to utilize space and keeps us way more aware of what we take! Can’t recommend the ec clean/dirty line more – love having my laundry secured and away from the clean stuff but not having to take any laundry bags to keep things simple!
And a portable charger! To keep any electronics charged throughout the day when u are out and about or on a plane without plug ins.
cantaloupe / 6131 posts
Packing cubes – one color for each family member.
A packing cube with all of the kids’ first aid needs. I don’t want to scramble for that stuff if they get sick in the MOTN on vacation.
A spare set of blackout curtains and a handful of thumbtacks. I have rigged up bootsy sleep spaces for my kids in every imaginable place with just those 2 things.
An extension cord. I always use it.
blogger / kiwi / 588 posts
I LOVE packing cubes. It makes packing so much easier since each person will have their own and I don’t need to mess the whole luggage up when trying to find something.
I also pack a small extra bag that can be a carry on. Sometimes we collect a lot of souvenirs for family during our trips so that comes in handy when our luggage is too full with our own items.
cantaloupe / 6131 posts
@Mrs. Cheesecake: Yes, we have this giant bright red Samsonite duffel bag that folds super flat and small that we take with us on visits to family because inevitably relatives give our kids presents and we need to haul it back. Easy enough to check and find on the carousel when we get home!
guest
Clearly I need to check out what packing cubes are!! I use many of the same tips as you. I need to remember to save my packing list for future travel – seems like I’m always recreating the same list for each trip! Thanks for the rec!
GOLD / apricot / 341 posts
I also keep packing lists on my phone so I can easily check off what we packed last time. We go to Sardinia every year and this year I finally made note of what worked and what didn’t with what I had packed while we were traveling. Next year, I can just check my notes and be reminded that three t-shirts per child is enough but that I really want an extra beach cover for myself.
For shorter trips (like a long weekend), I’ll pack outfits for all of the kids in plastic ziplocs or packing cubes – one pack for each day. It makes it so much easier to get everyone ready each morning.
And I have learned not to tempt fate – I always pack a change of clothes for the kids (although often just one change that whoever needs it can wear) and a fresh top for myself. The only times I have needed those extra clothes have been the times when I haven’t packed them, so now I always bring them along, as a form of insurance ;-).