Your Mission: to pack for a complete family of four in one overnight bag, and one carry on.
Impossible?
With a little finesse and determination, you too can be a carry on pro. Dust off those underused Tetris® skills you practiced for years. (And Mom said you would never use them!) Repeat after me, "I can do this. I can do this. I don't need as much as I think. I can do this!"
Each item below has one to three options. I am not saying that you need all three-they are OPTIONS. Pick one. The one you KNOW you will use, not the 'maybe we will use this'. Our focus is to pare down, not pack for every eventuality. This list is for the WHOLE family, divide as necessary between day pack and overnight carry on bags. When you are traveling for just a weekend, you only need these things!
1. New toy, coloring book, game or activity and ear buds for electronics. I keep these in an outside, easily accessible pocket of my backpack that is stored under the seat in front of my his-feet-don't-touch-the-floor-kid, so I have leg room.
2. One change of night clothes with underwear/diapers that can double as day clothes if needed, stored in the day pack. And, two changes of day clothes with underwear/diapers and one set of comfortable spare shoes in the overnight bag stored above. Try to make sure all the clothing coordinates so you can wear everything in different configurations and layers, depending on weather, more than once, and you will have nearly a weeks worth of clothing! Don't forget to dress warmly and comfortably for the plane.
3. Baby Wipes You never outgrow them! Store these in the day pack. These work for spills, sticky hands, foreign hand holds, and anything else you would rather leave on your hands and not in your mouth.
4. Favorite snacks (one or two) for take off, landing, and extreme bribery. Other snacks are provided by the plane generally and the kids usually like them, but not always and they might have allergens in them too. Throw one in for you too, parents.
5. Basic first aid supplies in a zip closure quart size bag. Bandages, anti bacterial cream, hand sanitizer, sunblock, pain reliever and fever reducer for kids and parents, a stomach medicine for indigestion for kids and parents, required medications for all family members, and a hand towel that can double as a compress. Store this in the overnight bag or day pack.
6. Favorite toy, blankie or pillow for sleeping for each kid. Bringing a bit of home with them goes a long way to ease sleeping in a new place. Don't risk losing it in the luggage! I also pack a really cool convertible neck pillow for myself. This can be stored in either packs.
7. Formula for babies and two bottles. I also like to bring a small something to clean the bottles. I suggest a smaller sealed container of formula for the day pack and enough for at least 3 days worth in the overnight bag. You are allowed a tin of baby formula or a package of the single bottle mix-in's in 'reasonable quantities' according to the TSA website.
8. Basic Toiletries for all; also in a zip closure plastic bag. This includes a body wash or bar, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes and paste, comb/brush, hair ties for long hair, sponge or wash cloth, contact lens supplies, whatever the minimum (and I mean MINIMUM) is for survival. Half the time we just pack some no tears kid soap for the bodies and hair with a pouf, tooth cleaning supplies, deodorant, a hairbrush, and I wear my glasses. The baby soap can also wash clothing in a pinch, and dab on food spills to keep out stains. Most items can be supplied by the hotel if you lose luggage and you can buy what they cannot. Remember, 3.5 ounces or smaller for all liquids. You really can be clean and get by on less than you think. Put this away for later, but easily accessible for security screening, in the overnight bag.
9. Water bottle or sippy cup for each child and parent. Think green, no bottles to throw away. Or, get a bottled water after security and keep refilling it; that way if you lose it, you won't be sad. I hope your day pack has a water bottle holder.
10. Electronics and chargers. If you keep all your charging accessories and camera in the overnight bag, you can carry just your travel electronics in your day pack. I keep all my valuables close, and this is just good sense. Only once have I left something behind. A little vigilance keeps things from being stolen, generally, but take precautions. When you get to your destination, the place they are stored changes. If you can't lose it, put it in your neck wallet or money belt, or leave it locked up in your hotel room. If you have a smart phone, you can also buy a local sim card or pay as you go plan in most major cities.
There you have it. Quick, clean, and a fast way to pack for a family of four. You really don't need as much as you think, just essentials to help keep you healthy and happy. This takes a little practice to get used to, but if you really need something, you can probably buy it if you left it at home. Make a mental note and bring it next time. There are many ways to adapt this list to your needs. Keep it simple, really think and analyse if you need something, and go for it!
Just get out there and have a ball!!
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