Over the years, I have made quite a few pack hacks and shared them on my Instagram account. I wanted to put all of them in one location to better help anyone packing!

We have packed for a wedding in Mexico (with no kids & no checked bag) soon Hawaii (no kids, no checked bag), camping, cottage/lake life, flying for a wedding (as a family), and flying (alone) with an infant to take care of my dad for surgery. I have taken my experience and put them here.

Adult only

To put it simply, we like to save money. This means if we can help it (and when we don’t have kids we can help it) we do not check a bag. That means we pack all we need for an entire week in our carry on bag and personal item. My original post is HERE. The Flying checklist would also be an option with less sections to fill out. And yes, my husband was able to do the same!

The biggest things to be aware of: roll your clothes, capsule wardrobe/shoes, watch your liquids!

With kids

A majority of our packing and traveling is with our children. Many of our lists, hacks and tricks focus on that, but can easily be modified and be a good stepping off point for trips with no children.

Lists

Over the years I have made quite a few lists. All these packing lists are available for free! You can read more detail on the original CAMPING (&FOOD) and FLYING FAMILY & FLYING ALONE posts.

“Go Bags”

I created a whole “bag series.” All of these bags allow me to wash, restock, and then grab and go when it comes to traveling. This works especially well when it is to the cottage which we do bi-weekly.

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Rain Bag
Sleep Bag
Beach Bag
Dog Bag

Suitcases

I have found that suitcases (both carry on size and checked size) should have wheels that turn 360* Stationary wheels make it harder to fit through tight spaces, wrist adjustments, and turning.

Labeling

I label just about everything. If the object has smooth plastic (bins, snapware, etc) I write right on it. If it does not or I want to have some decoration to it, I label it with laminated sheets. I then use the permanent marker/dry erase trick, seen below on a laminated sheet.

Bins by Room/Purpose

• Label bins with a permanent marker for the room they go in/purpose
• Put a piece of paper with things you are still waiting for on top so you can pack them last minute/when you are done/when they are clean with out having to double check the whole bag.

Bedtime/Bathroom Basket

• Have a basket that can drain water and has a handle for easy grab and go.
• Separate by kid, I just used cardboard
• Pack the night before the trip, as you use it put it in.
• Put only the amount of meds needed from large containers (not prescriptions) in little dip containers (snapware)

Packing Food

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.

When you are home and stocking the refridgerator, put all of your food that you are bringing on one shelf. That way if you have someone helping they just have to empty that shelf into the cooler.

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

Break down what you can (take out of original packaging) into containers and then I label with permanent marker on containers (and erase later with the dry erase marker trick.)

Pets

We bring our pets with us on most trips. Our dogs can get lost in the dark at the cottage so one hack we found was to get them glow sticks (cheap from dollar tree) and crack a new one on their collar each night. Nolan has started chewing on glow sticks and the fluid in stains and is toxic so we have invested a little more in a glow tag for their collars.

My Must Haves

Wagon. We have found the folding Radio Flyer wagon to be the key to travel. I could fold up and is a small enough weight to fly as a stroller (in a stroller/carseat gate check bag). It fits in almost all cars and it fits 3 kids, has 2 buckles, has a side that can zip down for easy in and out (like at the zoo), and can hold up to 150lbs. We recently upgraded to the one with the sunshade (the poles telescope up and there is a built in pocket for the canopy). Great for sun and rain protection and totally worth the upgrade in price. Available at both on Amazon and Walmart, I do believe walmart is a tad cheaper.

Amazon:


Walmart:

Keeping bags organized:

Bins help separate bags into rooms/locations/purpose.

These laundry bags are 31 tote knock offs and hold everything square and stackable. 31 totes are also GREAT packing tools.

When staying longer and needing things to be easily accessible, I pack my drawers with the appropriate items, label, and then tape shut. When we arrive I have everything already set to go. Make sure to pack tape to tape them up to bring them home again!

Bedtime/Bath Basket

For flying:

• Wagon as our stroller
• bracelets to keep young ones/special needs close
• backpack-you want your hands free, make your personal item a back pack
• Sound machine-help them fall asleep on the plane and have for the destination as well.
• Keep those bags organized with Easy Baby Organizers
• Liquid bags in approved size, but stays closed better than a ziplock
• wired headphones–can’t have bluetooth on a plane

For driving/the car:

• Magnatabs keep kids of all ages entertained (but we found them to be too heavy for plane travel when they need to carry their bags)
• Spiral hook important toys to their seats so they are always in reach!
• Water wow books are able to be used over and over again and all you need to do is fill a pen with water!
• DVD player work great if you have a rear facing child or none installed in your vehicle. They are also nice if you do not have mobile hot spot or data on the child’s device to watch favorite shows.
• Keep all the essentials (or in our case back ups) in the back of the seat at all times.
• Sort your diaper bag for easy grab of what you need with Easy Baby bags!
• Have a sturdy diaper bag (no matter how old kids are) to leave in the car with back up everything (for everything from accidents to spills). Snacks, empty water bottles for filling, toys, medicine/ pain relievers, and more.

For at the destinations:

• A bed for everyone! Pack N play for infants/toddlers, Cot for preschoolers, and air mattress for older!
• Sound machine to drown out hotel or new location noises
• Night lights-you never know how dark a room will be or if you can get in the bathroom with out a large noisy fan.
• Play yard to keep them safe and out of the sun
• Charge all of your devices in one place. Have a station where they belong-no cords left behind falling behind the furniture. One plug, all the devices!

Food

I choose the color lid that is the cheapest at the time. I use this size to keep dry food in. It keeps bread, buns, and chips from being smashed and can be stacked in the car.