I will preface with with I am a type A packer. I like systems and organization.

I have a pretty intense packing list available FREE and available below. This is to plan on basically having nothing there. You may not need to plan for all of this if you are going somewhere with more included. The list can be broken down into a couple of categories/bags. There are some Amazon (affiliate) links you may find helpful as well!

Rain Bag

I have a rain bag I leave packed at all times. The contents can be seen HERE as a part of my bag series. In addition to the rain bag contents in the post, I also include stroller rain and bug net covers in this bag. We have found these to be ESSENTIAL in keeping an under 6 months infant safe from bugs.

Drawer Sets

I bring a set of drawers that I tape together and shut when we leave. It has been amazing in one keeping us organized in our packing, but also when we are on the trip. I prefer clear view ones. I then laminate some cute sheets and write contents in permanent marker (and can be erased with dry erase marker colored over and wiped off)

Kitchen Drawer

• Foil
• Baggies (I bring a gallon bag with a couple gallon, sandwich and court sized bags)
• Napkins
• Paper Plates
• Paper Bowls
• Spatulas
• Silverware
• Dish soap
• Dish Rag/sponge
• Can opener
• Salt and pepper
• Coffee cup/mug
• Drink mug/solo cups
• Bottle opener
• Straws (paper)

Tools Drawer

• Batteries
• Scissors
• Hammer/nail
• Flashlights
• Air pump
• Extension Cord in
• Extension cord out
• String/rope

Meds, Bed, Beach, & Bugs

• Scissors
• Aloe
• Anti-Itch
• Stomach Meds
• Night lights
• Tape
• Marker
• Milk Bags
• Fabreeze
• Laundry Bag
• Duck Tape
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers
• Pain Meds

Diapering

• Wipes
• Pull ups
• Diapers
• Diaper Cream/yeast
• Dirty Diaper Bags

Sleeping & Linens

I have a sleep bag I leave packed at all times. The contents can be seen HERE as a part of my bag series. In addition to the sleep bag, we bring a little more when it is a bare minimum trip

• Cot
• Pillows (_)
• Kid Sleeping Bags (_)
• Little Fan (s)
• Monitor & cords
• Sound Machine
• Stella sleep unicorns
• Swaddle
• Kids Lovies
• Bath Towels

Beach Bag

I have a beach bag I leave packed at all times. The contents can be seen HERE as a part of my bag series. I have updated it a bit to have little lunch boxes and smaller cosmetic bags to hold the things so I am not digging to the bottom of of the bag every time. There is a small bag of bug/sun spray, sunglasses for everyone, small changing pad and diapers/swim diapers, Meds (anti-itch, pain meds, bandaids), and toys. Then there is another bag for towels.

• TeePee/Tent/Shade
• Towels (_)
• Ground Blanket
• Sand toys/bucket
• Sunglasses (_)
• Hat (_)
• puddle jumpers/Life jackets
• Floatation Toys
• Stroller Fan
• Necklace Fans

Camping Essentials Bins

• Citronella Candles
• Skeeter Beater
• Thermacell & Refills
• Chairs (_)
• Bungee cords
• Marshmallow Roasters
• Pudgie maker
• Grill & Gas
• Grilling Utensils
• Lanterns
• Fire Tri-pod/cover
• Clock/Radio
• Can/Bottle Coozies
• Small Travel cooler
• Water bottles
• Tarps
• Easy Up/
  Sun Rain Shelter
• Rope for Clothes line
• Clothes pins
• Rope Lights

Extras

• Bike (s)
• Wagon
• Stroller
• Potty
• Sensory Toys

Suitcases

Each member of the family has their own suitcase for these trips. We try to plan for all weather and accidents.

• _Underwear
• _ Swim suits
• _ Swim shirts
• _  pant
• _  sweatshirt
• _ Long sleeves
• _ short
• _ shirts
• _ Pjs
• _ Coat
• _ Socks
• _ Sandals
• _ Tennis shoes

Toilettries

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Soap
• Razor
• Lotion
• Band-aids/first aid
• Vitamins
• Medication
• Tylenol (adult)
• Tylenol (kids)
• Ibuprofen
• Thermometer
• Toothbrushes (_)
• Toothpaste
• Flossers
• Make up/Hair
  • Sunscreen moisturizer
  • eye make up
  • brush
  • hair ties
  • bobby pins
  • blow dryer

Toys/Car Entertainment

Each child gets a backpack with things to do in the car and this will also be their toys for the trip. If they are too small for the car they are too small for this type of trip.

Nolan packs his sensory toys in the bags.

Stella art and fun dolls she loves currently.

For their entertainment, I have a dvd player and holder and the iPad holder (that is universal for all tablets). We have to use these because Stella is still rear facing and needs things on her seat.

I pack my books, blogging stuff, and a sweatshirt for the air conditioned car.

Meals

I start with meal planning. Make a list of what you want on what day. Then make a grocery list and a meal prep list. Prep as much food as you can before you go. I even pull off a small bag of lettuce (for example) vs packing the whole head. I then divide the groceries/prepped foods into the correct lists.

Dry Foods

Dry foods I have hard covered bins that allow me to keep the soft things (bread, buns, and chips) from being crushed.

Cooler Foods

I break down what I can into containers and then I label with permanent marker on my containers. I erase with the dry erase marker trick) Another #packhack I do is put all the trip stuff on one shelf so when it comes to cooler packing you take the contents off a whole shelf.