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.

Tracing the Family Tree of Vacation Road Trips - New York Times

Tracing the Family Tree of Vacation Road Trips New York Times The oldest RV in the museum — and it is believed to be the oldest survivor anywhere — is a 1913 Earl travel trailer that was built for a California ... and more »

More business trips are becoming family affairs - San Jose Mercury News

More business trips are becoming family affairs San Jose Mercury News According to a 2008 study by Egencia, the corporate travel arm of Expedia, 59 percent of business travelers have had friends or family join them on a trip ... and more »

NJ Transit offers family rate to encourage travel to Newark airport - Progressive Rail Roading

New York Daily News

NJ Transit offers family rate to encourage travel to Newark airport Progressive Rail Roading The program includes an extension of NJ Transit's Family Supersaver fare, which enables up to two children, age 11 and younger, to travel to the airport ... NJ Transit, Port Authority launch campaign promoting family-friendly train ...The Star-Ledger - NJ.com Taking train to plane at Newark promoted on NJ Transitnewjerseynewsroom.com NJ Transit offers discounts on rides to Newark airportTimes Herald-Record ABC News all 30 news articles »

How they spent their summer vacation - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

How they spent their summer vacation Chicago Tribune Family travel included trips to Chicago in May; Bar Harbor, Maine, in July; and Martha's Vineyard, Mass., in August. One of the foreign trips was so low-key ... and more »

Have weekend travel plans? More people do - Sandusky Register

Los Angeles Times

Have weekend travel plans? More people do Sandusky Register Labor Day weekend is among the deadliest of the year because of the increased traffic and tendency of some to drive after drinking at family cookouts or ... Millions expected to hit the road for Labor Daymsnbc.com Labor Day Weekend 2010 - Parades And Travel Plans Dominate The WeekendUK Today News Travel forecast up 10%Chattanooga Times Free Press Marietta Times -Signal -San Francisco Chronicle all 274 news articles »

More Travel for Labor Day than 2009 - WOI

The Saginaw News - MLive.com

More Travel for Labor Day than 2009 WOI He's driving to Nebraska with his wife to see family. He disagrees with AAA's call that the economy has improved enough for more people to decide to travel. ... Price of gas inches up for holidayThe Tand D.com Gas prices falling ahead of peak Labor Day travelNews Sentinel all 285 news articles »