Packing for Your Family Vacation

Many people love to travel, but they hate to pack. They end up waiting until the last minute, and then either pack way too much, or leave out something that they really need, like their passport or toothbrush. It doesn't have to be that way, if you plan accordingly, and start packing early; it is possible to get everything that everyone needs, even if you are packing for the entire family. Think about your trip, the weather, what you will be doing, and then start packing. It is best to do it when you won't be distracted, so that you can make certain you get everything you need, without packing up the entire house.

One of the most obvious parts of packing is your clothing. It isn't really that difficult for adults, as you likely will only need one outfit per day, and then underwear, pajamas, and maybe a bathing suit or jacket, depending on the weather. With children, you never know how many outfits per day they will need. Some children have to change clothes every time they eat, because they are so messy. Others get outside and sit in the grass, run and play, and get dirty. One thing that can make packing for children a little easier is if you stay at a hotel that offers on site laundry areas, so that you can do a load as needed. If this is the case, then you can get by with packing a lot less, which will save you time, and keep you from having to drag a lot of luggage around as well. If you are unable to find such a hotel, then you will need to pack at least two outfits per day for each child, and maybe even a few extras. In this case, it will probably be better to have a little more than you need than not enough.

To get by with packing less, if you pack outfits that are interchangeable, such as jeans and t-shirts, you might be able to wear an article more than once, meaning that you can pack less, and have fewer luggages to carry around. Try to think of ways to get by with less clothing, so that you can really narrow down your packing. Again, this trick may not work for children.

For younger children, you also have to remember to pack diapers, wipes, changing pads, baby bath, baby shampoo, etc. You can take your baby bathtub with you if you choose, although it will take up a lot of space. Your best bet might be to use washcloths and water from the sink to get baby clean. If you are going to an area that has plenty of stores available, you can probably get by with taking less diapers and wipes, since you can buy them as needed. You definitely should pack enough for the trip though, at least until you reach your destination.

You also don't want to forget to pack your personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, deodorant, etc. In many cases, you may be able to purchase travel packs that contain smaller sizes, saving room in your suitcase. If you or a family member take daily prescription medications, you should remember to pack those as well. Rather than take the entire bottle, you can take just enough to do for the expected duration of the trip, and then a few extra, just in case the unexpected pops up and you are gone longer than you planned to be. If you have children, you should also make certain to pack insect repellent, sunscreen, etc.

It is quite possible to take some of the pain out of packing, if you give yourself plenty of time, and think about everyone's needs as you pack.

DestinationDis.com in Beavercreek Offers 2012 Late Summer Savings at Walt ... - PR.com (press release)

DestinationDis.com in Beavercreek Offers 2012 Late Summer Savings at Walt ... PR.com (press release) DestinationDis, a Dayton, Ohio travel agency specializing in Disney vacations, announces up to 30% savings on Walt Disney World Resort hotels for late summer dates. Dayton, OH, May 22, 2012 --(PR.com)-- DestinationDis.com, a complimentary Disney travel ... and more »

Indiana Christian Academy students look ahead to summer - The Herald Bulletin

Indiana Christian Academy students look ahead to summer The Herald Bulletin By Stuart Hirsch The Herald Bulletin ANDERSON, Ind. — Tantalizing Florida vacations filled with sun, sand, sea and Disney shimmered like diamonds strewn across a distant shore for several kids awaiting pickup on the last day of classes at Indiana ...

Forced to fly solo, even on family vacations - San Jose Mercury News

New Zealand Herald

Forced to fly solo, even on family vacations San Jose Mercury News Bouaphanh balked at paying an extra $114 round trip in fees to reserve three adjacent seats for him, his wife and their 4-year-old daughter on an upcoming trip to Disney World. "I'm hoping that when we can get to the counter, they can accommodate us ... Forced to fly solo, even on family vacations?Brownsville Herald all 437 news articles »

Clash of the Theme Parks - New York Times

New York Times

Clash of the Theme Parks New York Times Pull down your lap bars: Universal Studios, the theme park chain now controlled by Comcast, is rolling out new weapons in its battle against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts — and Disney is fortifying its defenses. Universal's parks have always ... Park Wars: Disney Has Big Lead, But Also CompetitionThe Ledger all 149 news articles »

Memorial Day Weekend: Road Trip or Not? - NewsMax.com

Memorial Day Weekend: Road Trip or Not? NewsMax.com With summer around the corner and gas prices rapidly rising, families across America are finding themselves faced with a vacation dilemma. “A lot of people probably budgeted for, say, $500 in gas money at one point [for their vacation],” Chris Russo, ...