PACKING FOR A SUMMER TRIP WITH KIDS: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STRESS-FREE TRAVEL
A summer vacation sounds like a dream to most of us - relaxation, pool/beach time, making memories. Then you think about packing everything that your kids will need and it immediately feels overwhelming. We’re talking about overpacking, too many bags, everything is disorganized, mid-flight or mid-road trip tantrums, snacks everywhere, whining about sunscreen… doesn’t sound so fun anymore.
There’s a solution for this that makes a summer vacation sound enjoyable from start to finish! Having solid systems in place for packing and staying organized makes the whole process better. Just by having a few reliable products and methods of packing can literally save your sanity. I’m excited to share the ultimate, streamlined summer packing solutions that’ll help keep the peace and make you wish vacation never had to end! (Yes, even with the kids!)
The Golden Rules of Packing for Kids
Our family travels a lot, so we know our favorite items, what works, and what doesn’t work. Here are three golden rules that will definitely make packing for kids a lot more manageable.
Rule #1: Pack by Day, Not by Item
Don’t just throw 10 shirts into a bag. (Trust me, this is the worst way to pack.) Lay out complete outfits, including underwear and socks, fold them up together, and store them either in labeled ziploc bags or a hanging organizer. This eliminates the morning guesswork while on vacation - just grab the outfit for that day and go!
Rule #2: Keep the Essentials Close
Whether traveling by car or plane, make sure the sanity-saving items are within reach. This includes an emergency change of clothes, a medicine/first aid kit, portable chargers, and everything your kids will need for entertainment and snacks. The rest can be stowed away until arrival.
Rule #3: Contain the Chaos
No one functions well with a black hole bag, needing to dig through a tote to find something at the crumb-covered bottom. Visual compartmentalization helps kids be independent with their snacks and activities while in transit, and it stops parents from digging through a suitcase. We’ll share our favorite options for organized packing that’ll keep everything easy to see and close by.
Master Luggage Organization - Kids Travel Organizers
I’m sure we can all relate to this scenario - your suitcase is beautifully organized and laid out, until your toddler goes tearing through to find their swimsuit or favorite toy. Giving some packing responsibility over to your kids is actually a way to get some of your sanity back. (Just hear me out!)
Kids are usually capable of more than we give them credit for! Having a packing solution for your kids that they can keep up with, have some ownership over, and that they can access all on their own actually frees you up to worry about packing your own swimsuits instead of their toys. While they may not be ready for a whole suitcase and packing their clothes, you can definitely equip them to take care of their things when they’re set up for success with an organization system that works for little ones.
That’s what we designed the Mothercould Kids Travel Organizer for - creating a system for kids to be able to see all of their toys, activities, and essentials, all while keeping things organized. The mesh and clear windows make it easy to see everything at a glance. The fabric is wipeable, the zippers are easy for little hands, and the 360-degree swivel hook makes it easy to hang up in lots of places.
The Kids Travel Organizer can hold toys, activities, a Mothercould Snack Box, a change of clothes, and a swimsuit. Your kids can keep it with them in transit, then they have everything they’ll need for the journey as well as immediately upon arrival. (Throw that swimsuit on and go!)
Mastering the Art of Snacking On-The-Go - Snack Box Set
Crumbs all over the car floor, crumpled plastic bags, crushed crackers at the bottom of your bag, and the inevitable “I’m hungry” cries just 20 minutes into your trip. Snacks while traveling shouldn’t be a source of stress.
Remember the whole “visual compartmentalization” idea? Let’s apply that to snacking, with the Mothercould Snack Box Set! We designed these to be the ultimate snack solution, especially when on-the-go. It features adjustable compartments that’ll fit lots of different types of snacks, while keeping wet foods (like grapes and berries) away from dry foods (like pretzels and crackers) so nothing gets soggy. The compartments also help prevent foods from spilling out, helping minimize the messes and giving kids more independence with their snacking.
TheMothercould Snack Box Set comes with two boxes and 100 dissolvable labels - this way you can easily label the boxes for each kid and keep track of who is eating what. You can even label them for different days of your trip! They’re easy for kids to use, and make packing a variety of healthy snacks a breeze. Kids are excited about the selection and the fact that they can see everything easily makes it more likely that they’ll try everything in the box!
I love that the boxes are slim and can slip easily into a diaper bag, backpack, or purse, and yes, even the Kids Travel Organizer! Having them easily accessible means that you can stop the “I’m hungry” cries before they even happen.
No-Mess, Battle-Free Sunscreen Application - Sunscreen Brush Set
This is one of my favorite things to pack for a summer vacation with kids, because I used to absolutely dread putting sunscreen on my three kids. It was like a battle every time, chasing them down the beach to slather sticky sunscreen on their faces. We designed the Mothercould Sunscreen Brush Set to combat this and eliminate the whining when it comes to sunscreen application. It comes with a smaller face brush and a larger body brush, a mesh carrying bag, and a silicone cleaning pad.
The bristles are ultra soft, making it actually enjoyable to apply sunscreen. (It feels like a spa experience!) The bristles are great for sensitive skin, smoothing the sunscreen without getting it all over your hands. The brushes come with protective caps, so they’ll stay clean inside your beach bag. Pack the silicone cleaning pad too for easy clean up - just run under warm water and gentle soap, and scrub until clean. (To be honest, I only clean them every once in a while! They stay soft in between uses!)
I love that kids can do it on their own - my girls like to hold the face brush and look into the reflective back of the body brush as a mirror to make sure everything is blended in! The brushes make sunscreen a part of the routine that isn’t dreaded. It helps show kids the importance of proper application, and gives them independence to help with the process.
Preparation = Success!
Packing for a summer vacation with your kids doesn’t have to be stressful. It’s all about finding systems and methods of organization that work for your family! Having a system that works with you and not against you is the best way to make travel and packing a breeze.
These Mothercould products were designed with your family in mind. We know the overwhelm of too much stuff and not enough organization! These things help keep everything manageable for your family so you can actually enjoy the journey and the destination.
Make your next summer family trip a huge win with great organization systems like the Kids Travel Organizer, and prevent meltdowns with the Snack Box Setand Sunscreen Brush Set. Have an amazing summer!