Packing list for the whole family
Deciding what to pack for a family trip and where to fit it all is enough in itself to make you feel like you need a holiday! Over nearly 10 years of family holidays I’ve had to rehash our packing list a number of times and have finally got packing down to a fine art.
When it was just myself and my husband it didn’t really matter what we took. We had plenty of room. Gradually, the car began to fill with car seats and kid paraphernalia. The suitcases bulged with multiple changes of clothes, just in case. On our first long trip after kids we towed a trailer all the way to Queensland and back. Granted we were camping, but I have no idea what we filled it up with. Surely, two adults and a 10 month old don’t need that much stuff for a two week trip?
Two more kids and a pile of experience later, I have packing down to a finely tuned process. Our clothes fit in one drawer each, our stuff is limited to another couple of drawers.
There is enough rushing around before a trip, so I have our packing list on a spreadsheet that I just print off a copy a day or two before we leave. The kids are nearly all old enough to do their own packing (although I still run an eye over what they’ve got, to be sure), so the list is helpful for them too. As well as clothes, my list includes things like basic food items, phone chargers, camera bits and pieces and books.
Click here for a copy of my packing list.
What drives you nuts about packing for a holiday? Or maybe you’d like to share some tips that can make the job easier?
Happy travels,
Image by mollypop
Just you need to plan in advance and organize very well
I do it very slowly. Stretch everything out so by the end of it its like it barely took a thought. Stock up on non-perishables, put things like sleeping bags/picnic rug/towels/super warm jackets all in a large box/pile/cupboard together as you “dig them up” or think of them. Get some “new” books and stuff for kids from the second hand store especially for the trip and put them aside in their own bag etc. A week before the trip i write out a list (and add to it if i need to) so that I know what isnt put aside/purchased yet, and finish up via that list.
works a charm.
Scanning the list I smiled at the words..undies, thongs pjs and bathers are so SA.
Anyway, thanks for the list – I’m using it to pack for our coorong trip over easter. I’m adding other essentials like – Easter eggs, hats and sunnies, bottle opener, cockle pot and wetsuits!
thank you thank you, i am very bad a list writing and i always forget something. i added a couple of extra bits that are seasonal for our holiday and additional things that will be needed for toddler son. but you have made packing so much easier thank you again