Tips for traveling with kids on a short break

Family getaways can be a wonderful experience. An adventure with the kids is something to treasure, but preparing for the trip can be a challenging experience. When you are traveling as a couple, the most complicated decisions might be picking the perfect bikini for your week in the sun or choosing a belt to go with your favourite shirt, but for a family holiday, packing the bags can be a challenge.

The key to a family break free of stress is learning the secrets of packing light, while still including everything you need for any situation. Here is a guide on how to pack efficiently and effectively for your next getaway with the kids.

Plan Outfits in Advance

When you don’t have a plan for your outfits, you end up throwing extra clothes in your bag just in case. So before you start putting your luggage together, take some time to think about what you will wear for each day of the trip. Think about what activities you’ll be doing, what the weather will be like, and if there is a dress code (no need to worry about this at our farms!). Think about versatile items of clothing that work in a variety of different combinations, so you can mix and match and create a number of different outfits from just a few pieces.

For the kids, it is worth organizing their outfits in advance and placing each one (tops, bottoms, underwear, and socks) in a separate packing cube or zip-lock bag. This makes it much easier to pick out a full, prepared outfit every day.

Choose Multi-Purpose Items

The best way to pack for a family short break is to bring items that will double up (or even triple up!) in functionality - in short, multipurpose things that can fulfil more than one task or role. For example, a lightweight scarf that can also be used as a warm blanket, a sunshade, a picnic mat, or even a towel!

With clothes, it is worth thinking about layering, as this means you don’t have to bring as many specific, bulky items. Think about bringing a light sweater or jacket that you can put on to keep warm and remove to stay cool, and other similar items.

Pack Toiletries Wisely

Toiletries can be some of the most bulky and inconvenient things to pack, taking up loads of room in your luggage. But they are absolutely vital, and when traveling with kids you need to make sure you bring everything you need. For a short trip, the key is to really focus on the essentials, and to invest in travel-sized bottles and containers so you don’t have to bring giant amounts of the things you need. And don’t forget to pack things like sunscreen, insect repellent, hand gel and a first-aid kit, as these are things you can’t manage without.

Use Packing Cubes and Compression Bags

Packing cubes and compression bags can be an enormous help when it comes to fitting everything you need for a family break into a small bag. They are a great way to reduce the space your clothes take up, as well as a useful method of organization, making it easier to find what you need without unpacking everything.

Planning your luggage requirements for a family holiday shouldn’t have to be a daunting and concerning task. It is all about planning and being strategic, thinking about versatile, multipurpose clothes and accessories as well as sticking rigidly to the basics. By paying attention to the tips above, your next family adventure will be light on baggage and heavy on enjoyment.

Guest blog written by Frankie from https://apopsiclestand.com/