Random Thoughts

Here's another interesting and useful article from www.MomCentre.com that I thought of sharing here. Read on...

By Mariel Uyquiengco

Family vacations are a great way to go away and bond together. There’s just one downside to it that most parents dread… packing. Admittedly, getting ready for a vacation with young kids can be quite daunting. We want to cover travel essentials, boredom busters, and emergency kits, but not bring luggage that we can hardly pull.

Read on for some tips on how to pack for family vacation with your young kids.

1. Pack individual outfits per day

For a vacation spanning several days, it is best to pack outfits – yours and the kids’ – in individual zipped bags. It makes packing laundry easier too. Just label the bags as used or dirty and pile them up in a separate bag.

2. Keep a dedicated toiletry bag with all your travel essentials

For frequent travelers, it is best to have a dedicated toiletry kit to keep from gathering travel essentials each time. Kids should have a dedicated travel bag and toiletry kit for quick packing. Remember to include gum to help little ones pop their ears during take off and touch down.

3. Keep your first-aid kid in your handbag

You don’t want to go running around for bandage adhesives and whatnot when an emergency comes up. Go put a first-aid kit in your handbag to be able to deal with scratches and sudden headaches.

4. Bring sanitizers

Some people cannot leave going to a local restaurant without a hand sanitizer in their bags, what more when you go on vacation and visit various public places? Keep sanitizers handy and ready to spray unwanted germs anytime and anywhere.

5. Pack an extra duffle bag

You never know what you’re going to bring home, so make sure you have a crumpled extra bag somewhere in your luggage that you can hand carry. This will save you for those times when you fail to say no to your kids and you end up buying a lot of stuff. Putting those extras in a bag will keep you from paying for excess baggage.

6. Prepare for delays

Delays during vacations are inevitable - flights get bumped, you get stuck in traffic, or worse still, you get lost. Prepare for delays with extra clothes, diapers, and food. Being prepared is one less stressor in case schedules get jumbled.

7. Activity sets to keep kids occupied

Kids need to learn how to entertain themselves, and providing them with activity sets that they can do in transit can help them accomplish this. As they grow older, they can already choose and pack the activities that they think will keep them occupied

For little ones, bring out the magic show and blow some bubbles to keep them entertained. This will chase away the “Are we there yet?” question and make you something like a hero to your little ones.

8. Dress your kids in bright solid-colored shirts

Dress up your kids in easily identifiable clothing such as bright-colored shirts with matching backpack or luggage. This makes keeping an eye on them in crowds practical and easy.