How to Organize for Your Family Vacay
For many, summertime is the prime opportunity for a family vacation. Although this year is a bit different and flying may be out of the question, visiting loved ones by car is still an option! If you’re planning a road trip for the 4th of July or just in general for the summer, we know it can sometimes feel chaotic, in more ways than one. The memories made are well worth it, but for many, it’s hard to stay organized with so many people crammed into such a small space for a long period of time. I’ve found over the years that the key to keeping your trip on track is to create road tripping kits for different needs and family members. Having essentials to keep each family member entertained and comfortable is key to a successful family vacation, and these kits are the perfect solution. These are something I thought up years ago—whenever I or any of my friends & family are going on a road trip, I always give them this list of must-have items.
Family Must-Haves:
Wet wipes
Travel size Tylenol
Dramamine for kids
quick fix kit
Hand sanitizer spray
Bug spray
Sunscreen
First thing’s first: the family kit. This kit has pretty much all the quintessential road trip goodies. It’s probably the most important kit to pack for your trip, and with so many travel sized items, it’s important to keep them all contained so nothing gets lost! Pack these items in this kit:
The Kids’ Packing List:
Washable markers
Coloring books
Sticker book
Deck of cards
Magnetic Puzzle
Scavenger hunt cards
Next up is the kids’ kits! One thing every parent knows about road tripping with kids is that if they don’t have things to keep them occupied, it can be a real challenge (and a test of patience!) These kits were created with the intention of keeping them busy and happy for long periods of time. It’s important to make sure each kid feels included, so feel free to use our suggestions as a baseline and custom curate yours per child. Here’s what to pack in these kits:
Mom’s Road Trip Saviors:
Lip Balm
Cuticle Oil
Nail file
Sleep mask
Facial spray/mist
Hand cream
Facial Oil Drops
Now that the kids are all set and ready for the vacay, mom needs to do the same for herself! Whether you’re driving or your partner is, it’s important that mom has goodies in her kit that will keep her functioning and feeling good. When I pack my kit, I always put lots of on-the-go essentials that help me to stay refreshed and feeling good. These are the things to pack for mom’s kit:
Dad’s Don’t Forget List:
Inflatable neck pillow
Sleep mask
Mini iPad
Sunglasses
Lip balm
Earphones
Dad’s up! Again, whether dad’s driving or not, he’ll need some goodies to keep him busy and feeling good as well! For long drives, it’s especially important to make sure the parents are getting some naps in. Cars are obviously not the most comfortable for this, but catering his kit for comfort is key. For dad’s kit, pack these items:
