As we enter the month of June, vacation plans are starting to form in everyone's minds, especially for families with children. Traveling with kids, particularly if it's your first vacation with your child and you're inexperienced, may seem like an overwhelming responsibility, and with responsibilities, the luggage can grow too. However, with the vacation list and packing suggestions we've prepared for you, you can set off on your vacation without missing anything and with ease.
Things to Do Before Going on Vacation
Before you head off on vacation, you need to prepare your home as well as your vacation bag. Here's what you should do:
- Reduce your grocery shopping and consume any perishable items in the fridge.
- Wash and iron all your dirty clothes, so when you're packing your bag, you'll have more options. Plus, you won’t have to deal with extra laundry when you return.
- Make sure to make a list and start preparing your luggage at least 2-3 days before.
- If there are any missing items on your list, go shopping to complete it.
Packing for Kids
When packing for your children, consider their daily needs. Think about how often they change clothes, how many diapers they need, their diaper changing times, etc. After that, gather any extra items you might need for the vacation. We can categorize our list into 7 main sections: clothing, feeding, toys, sleep, transportation accessories, bath-care-protection items, and electronics.
Clothing:
When selecting clothes for your child, prioritize easy-to-dress items that are easy to clean when dirty and durable for washing. Then, considering how often your child changes clothes daily, add a spare set for each day. If you’ll have the chance to wash clothes at your destination, you can reduce your load, but who wants to deal with laundry on vacation, right? So, here’s what you should pack:
- Daily clothes (bodysuits, short/long-sleeve t-shirts, shorts, dresses, skirts, cardigans, sweatshirts)
- Underwear (tank tops, panties) and socks
- Pajamas
- Sports shoes, sandals, water shoes, slippers
- Sunglasses
- Swimsuits (bikini, trunks)
- Beach towels
- Hat
Feeding:
Depending on your child's age, don’t forget to pack a breast pump, bottles, pacifiers, bibs, muslin cloths, bowls, spoons, and forks. There might not be easy access to these items at your destination. You may want to call ahead and check.
Toys:
Toys are important for keeping your child entertained, both at the beach/pool and during other times. For playing in the water, you can pack arm bands, floaties, water shoes, or beach toys like buckets and shovels. For other times, you can bring coloring books, storybooks, and other favorite toys.
Sleep:
It’s important for your baby to sleep comfortably while on vacation. Therefore, bring your child’s own pillow, sheet, blanket, and, if they have one, their sleep companion. Many hotels provide a crib for small children free of charge. You may want to check this in advance so you don’t have to bring your own.
Bath, Care, Protection Items, and Medications:
When going on vacation, especially in terms of protection and care, it’s important to be cautious. Here’s a quick list of essential items:
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizers and after-sun care products
- Regularly used medications
- Pain relievers/fever reducers
- Ointments
- Insect repellent spray and medications
- Ointments for bites and itching
- Nasal drops
- Thermometer
- Diapers and swim diapers
- Wet wipes and cleaning wipes
- Diaper rash cream
- Soap, shampoo, shower gel
- Cotton swabs
- Nail clippers
- Band-aids
- Vaccination card
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
Transportation Accessories:
If you’ve planned an active vacation, baby strollers, baby carriers, slings, and backpacks will be your best friends. Additionally, preparing a diaper bag to carry with you will make life easier. You can pack 4-5 diapers, a water bottle, a feeding bottle, pacifiers, a changing mat, wet wipes, cleaning wipes, dirty laundry bag, 3 sets of clothes, snacks, and water.
Electronics:
Phones now handle both photos and videos, but you can also bring along a camera if you wish. Before you set off, check that your electronics have enough storage space for all the memories. If you’re going on vacation for the first time with your baby, there will be many moments you’ll want to look back on later. Additionally, consider adding a baby monitor, breast pump, sterilizer, and warmers to your electronics list.
Wishing you a wonderful vacation in advance! :)