The ultimate travel packing checklist for the mom with wanderlust

Packing for a family vacation is every mom’s worst nightmare.

Not only do you have to make sure you pack enough clothes for every family member, but you must then do some magic tricks to ensure all the items fit in their suitcases.

But packing for your big family adventure does not have to be an unpleasant experience.

Use this travel checklist to make it less stressful…

1. Write a list

Before you pack anything, make a list of all the things you will need for the duration of your trip. You can create a list for each family member, so you don’t forget anything important for their individual needs. Make a note of the place or country you will be visiting, and if there will be any restrictions on the type of clothes you will need.

Aside from your family’s everyday wear (including warm layers and swimwear), here’s a list of things you should not forget.

• Socks
• Rain jacket and an umbrella
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Scarf
• Travel pillow
• Travel adapters if you are going overseas
• Comfy walking shoes

2. Pack smartly

You don’t need a suitcase for every family member, you just need to make sure you have enough of everything for each person. Children who are a similar age and size can share clothing. There are also smart ways to pack, such as “ranger rolling” jeans, to maximize space. 

If you have a large quantity of clothes you want to take with you, make packing easier with the Samsonite Octolite Spinner 81 cm bag. No need to decide on what to take with this convenient bag which can easily pack up to two weeks’ worth of clothing – all in one bag. Backed by the renowned name in travel, Samsonite, this bag is ultra-light, super durable and is easy to handle. With a 10-year warranty, you can buy this bag on the ECR Shop for just R 3 295 and save 20%. Available while stocks last*.

3. Cross pack

If you are flying to your vacation, cross packing will come in handy if the airline temporarily loses your bags. You will need to pack one set of clothes for each family member and place them in someone else’s suitcase. Hopefully, it won’t take more than one day for the lost luggage to be reunited with the family. If you don’t have enough space in suitcases to cross pack, then get your kids to carry the extra pair of clean clothes in their hand luggage. Don’t go overboard as airlines have a carry-on weight limit. 

4. Pack toiletries in one bag

To save space in suitcases, designate one bag for all your family’s toiletry needs. You don’t need to pack multiple body lotions, mouthwash and toothpaste.

5. First aid kit + medication

It’s also advisable to take extra precautions to make sure your family’s health is well taken care of during the trip. Some of the essentials: Plasters, anti-itch cream, thermometer, nausea and diarrhea remedies, motion sickness medication and remedies, prescription medication, vitamins, allergy pills and syrup, pain medication and tummy ache medication.

6. Tech

Don’t forget to pack your phone and tablet charges for the trip and any other cables you will need for your technology. You can download a few apps and games that don’t require Wi-Fi to keep your children entertained. If you are going to a country that does not speak English, consider downloading a language app to assist you with basic greetings and queries.

7. Travel documents

Once you are done packing, make sure you check and double check that you have all the travel documents required for each family member. The last thing you want is to get to the airport only to find that one of the kids’ identity documents is missing.

• Passports/identity documents
• Driver’s license (for car hire)
• Debit/credit cards
• Medical aid card

With this guide, your next holiday should be stress-free

Also read: 5 things to pack on your first cruise trip