Traveling can be stressful, especially if you are traveling with kids… Are you traveling for the holidays maybe? Stressing ends up taking some of the enjoyment out of the vacation and what is meant to be quality family time, so I have prepared a few different tips to make your next family vacation a lot easier and stress free.
Keep essentials in the suitcase
If you have a some standard items that you have to have for your trips, when you get back from vacation just leave the items that you only use on the go inside the suitcase for the next time you are on the go.
If you usually bring a toiletry bag ( I always do), re-stock all the items in it and place it in the suitcase you will bring to your next trip. This way you have one less thing to worry about when packing and since you are doing this ahead of time, there are less chances for you to forget anything.
Label your luggage
Using labels to identify your suitcases when you are traveling , allow you not to only have your personal information on your luggage in the event that it gets misplaced, it also allows you to quickly identify your luggage which is especially handy if you have a neutral and common color like black. Some people put things such as a big pink bow on their bags that really make them stand out as you pick them up at the airport. I think this time, I’m going to place some colored ribbon striping on ours to make them stand out.
Make sure you have all the family medications
If you are traveling out of the country, it is always recommendable to bring all the medication that the different family members might be taking at the time…To that end, I like to include something for allergies, Tylenol or Ibuprophen for feve,r and Pepto or something similar in case of stomach discomfort.
Pack ahead of time
If you manage to have everyone packed and suitcases by the door or better yet even stored in your car the night before, then you are ahead of the game and do not need as much time leaving the house and getting everything and everyone in the car (not to mention it eliminates that last minute “Oh I forgot this or that” that requires you to run home real quick).
Sometimes the most important things are overlooked, so you also want to make sure you parents pack base layers that are versatile in function. Undergarments that you can comfortably take a hike in but confidently wear to dinner too. There’s nothing worse than having the day ruined because of a poor wardrobe choice. I never go on a trip without (your favorite product) and I’ve heard that these boxer briefs for men are perfect for any situation!”
Be prepared for unexpected weather
If you are going to a warm weather place where you do not expect to need a jacket , or anything of the sort, the reality is that you never know what can occur and how the weather is going to behave, so bring a long sleeve or light weight jacket for the different members of the family…Chances are, you will not need it, but believe me, you would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Bring mosquito and Sun protection
If you are traveling somewhere where there is even a chance of being bitten by mosquitoes, you want to make sure all family members are protected.
My favorite product to prevent mosquito bites are the bracelets from Para’ Kito…My son is highly allergic to mosquito bites (I think many if not most toddlers and babies are) and I found that the hard way during a trip to the Dominican Republic and since then I tried different products.
Para’ Kito Mosquito Repellent Wristband was by far the product with the best results, besides, the bracelets are super cute and come with 2 refills. Each of them lasts about 2 weeks, so you can just put the bracelet on at the beginning of the trip and forget about it.
Available in kids and adult sizes to cover all the family members, these bracelets use natural essential oils and are DEET free , so it is safe for kids…You can wear them as a bracelet or as an anklet…And they look really nice. As a matter of fact, I had lots of people in the Dominican Republic asking me about them…They work in all climate zones temperatures & tropical, and they are even waterproof. We all love them!
Bring entertainment for the kids
If you are taking the kids out of their usual environment, they can get a bit restless. It is important (for your sanity) to bring toys and activities to keep them entertained. There are sets that are specially designed for families on the go like the products from the purple cow that are specially designed for travelers.
By the same token, make sure you bring games and activities for down time when you reach your destination…My kids ( and us), love the Doodle A Droodle which consists of a series of cards that are used to create a doodle …Lots of fun as the sky is the limit with the different interpretations that the players can come up with.
This is a great family game that is easily packed when you are on the go and need something fun and engaging for the whole family.
Make sure to have the proper gear
If you are bringing a laptop, you want to make sure to bring a backpack that can be used for more than just carrying your computer. You will be surprised what a huge difference the proper gear can do to assist on a trip…I have tried different types of backpacks and there are a few things I look for in a backpack when I travel.
I need it to be lightweight and it should have different compartments to have everything within reach with no hassles. I also look for a nicely padded strap to improve the comfort, but one very handy feature is the design…Colorful and bright designs will prevent you from forgetting and leaving behind your bag when going through customs or metal detectors. For me as a parent, It allows me to have my daughter quickly identified when we are in a crowded area, so I usually use this bag for more than just carrying a laptop and make it into my daughter’s carryon.
We both love the fun and unique designs on the Zipit soft shell backpacks!
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