A family vacation should be fun, but if you overlook some of these must-haves, your vacation can quickly become miserable.
Station shortages
There will be a lot of devices (tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, white noise machines, etc.) while traveling with your family. Hotels and Airbnbs do not always have enough outlets around the bed or table to charge everything. If you have a USB charger that plugs in to multiple devices or a small outlet on hand, you’ll have no problems charging your electronics.
Sudden medical needs
Most parents remember daily medications, but often forget basic ointment or common remedies for sudden illnesses or bumps and bruises. Packing pain reliever, liquid bandage, motion sickness pills, and a digital thermometer will save you from going out in the middle of the night searching for a pharmacy.
Spill insurance for the flight
Parents always pack an extra set of clothes for their kids in their carry-on but often neglect to do the same for themselves. Whether it’s spilled drinks, projectile vomiting, or diaper blowouts, they always seem to occur while you’re holding your child, mid-flight or train ride. Keep an extra shirt in your personal bag so you don’t have to ride in dirty clothing for hours.
Overnight spot cleanup
Every family trip will involve some type of mess. From food to dirt, there is always something to worry about. Packing a stain remover pen, small laundry detergent, and a light sink stopper will allow you to wash your favorite clothing at night. If you take care of small stains while you’re staying at the hotel, you will not have to pack more than what you need.
Drench protection
You might need to swim one last time before leaving your resort, or it may start raining. Either way, you are going to have something wet that you need to pack. Pack some reusable wet bags or even thick plastic bags. By using these, you won’t be throwing all of your wet clothes in the same bag as your clean clothes.
Delay defense
Kids can always get hungry at the worst times. When you’re at the airport or traveling long distances, you never know when you’ll be able to buy food. Packing non-perishable backups of your kids’ favorite snacks means you’ll always have something to give them when lunch isn’t quite ready. Having healthy snacks on-hand will save you from the nightmare of low blood sugar meltdowns on long travel days.
Sun cover
While sunscreen is an obvious travel must-have, some parents forget physical sun protection. Wide-brim hats and UV-protected sunglasses provide protection during long days at the park or beach where shade is limited. Clip-on sunshades and stroller umbrellas are also great ways to keep toddlers cool and burn-free while outdoors.
Screen-free rescue
Entertainment centered around electronics only ends up biting you when the battery dies, or you realize you left your headphones behind. Bring along some old-school, mess-free activities (reusable sticker books, magnetic puzzles, or dry-erase doodle pads) to offer instant distractions. Having tactile games is a must for bored kids during airport layovers and rainy nights.
Midnight glow
Hotel rooms and vacation rentals can be dark, scary, and unfamiliar for young kids who wake up in the middle of the night. Portable plug-in nightlights or small battery-operated fairy lights make midnight walks to the bathroom less frightening. Your kids will thank you for the little light it casts on dark hallways and bathrooms.
Quick mess clearance
Airplanes, playgrounds, and city buses are full of germ-filled high-touch surfaces. Hand-sized sanitizer gels are great, but don’t forget to pack alcohol-based sanitizing wipes. These are ideal for sticky fingers, spilled kid food on high chairs, and sanitizing the tray table before dinner. Keep wipes in your daypack for times when you can’t wash your hands.
Nighttime comfort
Whether it’s a favorite stuffed toy, special blanket, or daily pacifier, forgetting a child’s beloved sleep item can result in a meltdown when it’s time for bed in a strange environment. Many parents will pack their children’s everyday items for sleep, but forget to toss in an extra duplicate or sleep backup. Pack 2 of your child’s favorite sleep essentials, just in case.
Spillproof hydration
Parents remember to pack reusable water bottles, but often forget leakproof straw cups or spillproof lids for young kids on-the-go. Regular plastic bottles and hotel drinking glasses mean spills on rental car seats, airplane tray tables, and fresh clothes. Bring your kids’ own tumblers that don’t spill so your kids can have liquids throughout the day without making a mess.
