Getting Started

  • Pack early! - I have gotten packing down to an art. The best tip I can give is to start early. This only backfired once and that was March of 2020. We had a trip to Hawaii all planned and I had started packing in February. When we ultimately had to cancel our trip due to the pandemic, it was torture having to unpack all of our unused stuff.
  • Use these packing cubes for sorting your kids' things to make it easier of them to dress themselves.
  • Make a checklist - I do this using the "Notes" app on my phone. Whenever I think of something I need to buy or pack I add it to the list. This has never failed me! I write down everything including, phone, purse, passport, etc. Even the things you assume you will remember, write them down!
  • Bring a First Aid kit - This is another item I have used every single trip. I have made my own with things I know will come in handy. You can see what I pack here!

Personal Item/Carry-on

I always bring both a personal item and carry-on onto the airplane when traveling. For my personal item, I try to maximize its usefulness and forego my purse and use this backpack. This bag fits easily under the seat in front of me, but allows me to bring everything I need for a long or short flight. For some, they don't want the burden of this extra "stuff." But for me, I love knowing I have everything I need while on a flight for both me and my kids.
  • Personal Item - In my backpack I make sure I have my wallet. Then, I include things such as small packs of tissues, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, a book to read, iPad, charger, phone, cords, headphones, snacks, toilet seat covers (see this page for more about these), ibuprofen, guidebooks, any documents I may need, sunglasses, and our itinerary. For my kids' personal items, they each have a travel backpack that I allow them to pack themselves. I tell them to pack whatever they think they may need or want on both the plane and while we are on vacation. This can get interesting, as they tend to pack some really interesting things, such as a wooden chair from a dollhouse that my daughter was convinced she would use while not he plane. I will say that about 75% of what they bring never gets touched, but they like that they can bring what they want. The only rule is that it can't contain liquids and must be able easily zip.
  • Carry-On - For my carry-on, I make sure to pack as much as possible, and also what I will need the most. For instance, I always pack my underwear and at least one swimsuit, along with as many outfits as possible. I want to make sure that if something happens to my checked bag, it doesn't set me back on my trip. So, be intentional about what you pack in your carry-on. For my kids, I try to pack everything they will need in their carry-on and can usually do so. The exception to this is that I tend to pack some extra things like pool toys, snorkels, and extra shoes, which I pack in our checked bag.

Checked bag

Depending on the length of trip you are going on, you might not need a checked bag. But for me, there is a convenience to a checked bag and tend to bring at least one every where we go. 

What I love about having a checked bag is that I can throw all the big and clunky things that don't easily pack into my carry-on into this bag. This is also where I put things that I know I will use up while there and bigger bottles of liquids, such as sunscreen. Then, once you use these up that leaves room to bring home souvenirs.

One downfall of checked bags is that they could potentially get lost. So, don't pack anything you don't want to lose. Another downside is that checked bags cost money. But, one big tip is to get a travel card with an airline that gives you free checked bags when you travel with them. We have an Alaska Airlines credit card, and with that, get a free checked bag for each of us. We fly Alaska more than any other airline, so we actually save more in baggage fees each year than the card costs. 

Packing Odds & Ends

These are items that I always bring with me. I don't want to waste the time to go to store once on vacation, so I put them in my checked bag. They are always cheaper at home, too. The good thing about bringing them in your checked bag is that you use all of these things and it makes room for all the souvenirs you will bring home.
  • Ziplocs - I have used these EVERY. SINGLE. TRIP. They always come in handy. I bring a variety of sizes and have used them to store leftovers, get ice from the ice machine, store wet swimsuits for the trip home, and so many more things.
  • Plastic/paper cups - This is so you can make drinks in your room if you are staying at a hotel! You only get a two clean cups, but if you bring your own, you can make drinks every day, all day! Also, it's helpful with little kids when you want to split a bottle of juice or milk between them.