Packing for a family trip can feel daunting, especially when you are in the baby or toddler stage. Traveling with little ones means lots of gear – diapers, a stroller, the pack-n-play, and feeding equipment. Decisions must be made and details remembered. I have been there many times.
Younger me sat on my bed, head in hand, overwhelmed. I needed to pack for our first family road trip with an infant. I was used to packing for myself. It was part of my job. But now I had a two-month-old to pack for as well. And everything we took needed to fit into our Honda Civic. My mind raced.
- My situation is unique. Every list I find misses things my family needs.
- What is essential?
- What can we do without?
- What if I forget something important?
- How do I get this all organized?
- Where do I even start???
For fifteen years, travel was a part of my job in full-time ministry – multiple conferences each year, fundraising trips, and 6-week mission trips many summers. Some of the trips were solo, but many of them included my kids. We also lived away from family and took multiple trips a year to see them.
I love traveling. I love seeing new things, exploring new places, and experiencing life outside the ordinary. Traveling as a family brings joy as I watch my kids discover and see the world in new ways. The shared experiences on a trip create unforgettable memories and delightful inside jokes. It adds to our family culture.
But to travel, one must pack. Despite many years of honing my packing skills, I still feel slightly overwhelmed by the many little decisions packing presents. It is a puzzle with many variables. No two trips are the same – different weather, lengths, and activities. I want to ensure my family has what it needs during the trip. I want to avoid running to Walmart for a forgotten necessity. I feel the pressure to get it right.
Can you relate?
The Importance of a Thoughtful Packing System for Family Trips
Thoughtful packing sets the stage for a great trip. It allows you to bring what you need and not worry about the inconvenience of forgotten items. The key is to work from a personalized packing list. While other people’s packing lists can prompt ideas about what you might need to pack, packing is highly personal. You need a system that’s tailored to your family’s unique needs. Making your list is essential.
How do you create a packing list that works for you and your family?
Step 1: Start With A Brain Dump
The first step in creating your packing list is a brain dump. This transfers all your trip-related thoughts onto paper (or a digital file). You aren’t making decisions. You are just jotting down notes. When packing feels overwhelming, writing things down calms your mind and clarifies what you need.
Have you had a thought slip your mind when your potty-training toddler calls for help, a sibling squabble needs your intervention, or the rice boils over on the stove? Me, too. If I fail to write it down, I might lose it. Brain dumping eliminates the nagging feeling that you forgot something. It is not your packing list, but it will help you create one in Step 2.
How to Do a Packing Brain Dump:
- Grab a piece of paper or your phone.
- Start writing down whatever comes to mind:
- How many outfits do I need to pack?
- What’s the weather forecast for our destination?
- What does my child need for meals, bathtime, and sleeping?
- What food or gear will we need during the drive or flight?
- Think through your trip from various angles so you cover everything you will need. You may want to use other people’s lists to prompt your brain dump. It can help you think through categories of things you may or may not want to pack, but it won’t answer the question about what you need on your list. Only you can decide that.
- Don’t worry if your brain dump is messy. It isn’t supposed to be neat and organized. It is also not a time to make decisions. That comes next. We are simply recording all thoughts and ideas.
A final brain dump tip:
If time is short, set a 10-minute timer and see how far you get. I often brain dump in several sittings. I have to fit it in between activities. A child frequently needs me when I am planning, cutting my session short. And I tend to remember things over time rather than all at once. Keep your brain dump handy and add to it as things come to mind.
Step 2: Create Your List
Once you’ve done a brain dump, it’s time to create a list that works for you and your family. Remember, a personalized list ensures you pack the right things for your family. It prevents overpacking or forgetting essential items.
How to Create Your List:
- Select how you want to record your list, on paper, your phone, or a computer.
- I prefer digital lists when packing for week-long trips. I use my phone to mark things off as I pack, and my husband works off the list simultaneously. It simplifies the process. I know what he has gathered and what still needs to be done. The extra set of eyes ensures we have thought of everything we need to bring.
- Look over your brain dump. Now is the time to make decisions. Cross off anything you don’t need to pack. Everything that is left either needs to inform what goes on your list (e.g., the number of nights will tell you how many outfits you need to pack) or is an item that goes directly on your list (e.g., the sound machine your kid can’t sleep without).
- Make separate lists for each family member. Start with one person and create their list. Then, move to the next person until every family member has one.
- Finally, make a list of all shared family items. This list could include entertainment items, food, or special activity gear like towels or an umbrella for a beach trip.
- Make sure you leave room on your lists for any additional items you will think of and write them down right away.
Step 3: Pack Using Your List
The list is your tool for remembering everything you want to bring on your trip. When I start to feel overwhelmed during packing, it usually means I have quit looking at my list and am trying to do it from memory. I need to get back to working off my list.
Tips for Packing Efficiently:
- Look over your list frequently and check off each item as it goes into the suitcase.
- Do not stress if you cannot pack everything at once. There will always be something in the room of a sleeping child or still drying in the dryer, not to mention the toiletries that need packing at the last minute. Work with this reality instead of letting it frustrate you. Note the missing item on your list and grab it in the morning.
- If you partially pack an item, wait to check it off until you finish it.
Step 4: Double-Check Your List
Before you head out the door, double- or triple-check your list to ensure you’ve gathered everything. There are always a few last-minute items to pack, like toiletries or your child’s lovey. When I skip this step, I forget things.
Step 5: Happy Travels!
Great job, Mama! You’ve organized and packed everything you need for the trip. Enjoy adventuring and making memories with your people!
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Need Help Staying Organized?
If you’re looking for an easy way to stay organized while packing for your next family trip, check out the Complete Family Packing Toolkit. It includes a packing brain dump guide, fully editable digital packing lists, a trip prep to-do list, and more to help you prepare for a smooth and stress-free journey.
