7 Vacation Hacks on What To Pack For a Beach Destination With Kids

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School is almost out, and your well-deserved vacation is getting closer. But let’s face it, although we can’t wait for the actual vacation the thought of packing and traveling with kids can be a very stressful process. I hated packing and now that I’m a mom I hate it more. I would just dump clothes in the luggage and call it a day. But even that method that sounded so easy was extremely frustrating. Now imagine doing that method with kids, such a disaster. As you experience trials by error traveling with kids, you swear each time you uncovered a better system.  kids.

 I compiled a basic travel organization, that’s worked for me hope it can be useful. 

1. Handy List of Things To Pack For Beach Vacation

1. Double check, everyone travel documents are valid and up to date.

2. Create a packing list This is a MUST especially if you have a big family and traveling with KIDS. Each person gets a packing list.

3. If it works for you, everyone gets their own luggage and or carry on. Hubby gets one, Mom gets one, and kid(s) gets one. If you have an active toddler he/she might love the idea of having their own roll-on luggage. 

You can also save yourself from the stress of lugging too much luggage, you can always pack your kid’s clothes inside packing cubes. This is a simple and great method to use and you can use one luggage and pack all the kid’s clothes into the packing cubes.  

4. Pack kid’s clothes by outfits and place them inside a ziplock bag. E.g.;  If you have 6 outfits, you need 6 ziplock bags. Each bag gets an outfit (T-shirt, shorts, undies, sneakers). I saw this on Pinterest and simply LOVED the idea and ever since that’s how I pack my little one outfits. It’s worked for me and he just loves grabbing a ziplock bag and putting on his outfit on his own. *** Pack EXTRA outfits***

5. Call your Bank and Credit cards and advise them that you will be traveling, you don’t want to be out on vacation and all of a sudden your card gets blocked and you can’t take out money or use a card.

6. Packing cubes are a great way to organize mom and dad’s clothes. I started using them a few years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. It makes packing simpler and more organized.

7. Toiletries if you are taking a carry on making sure you follow the 3-11 rule. Travel size containers 3.4 oz. You are allowed a One-quart size bag of liquids.

8. Buy SUNBLOCK lots of it before you leave, it will cheaper to buy it in the US than the Hotel or Resort, unless you want to pay $20 for a bottle at the resort.

9.  Have copies of prescription medication that you need to carry. 

You want to look cute while on vacation, but keep in mind you are traveling to the Caribbean, which means the weather is very HOT and HUMID. So think about if you really want to pack a flat iron or a hairdryer, the humidity is just going to frizz your hair. The same goes for makeup. I use to pack a huge makeup bag and to be honest I hardly used any because it was too hot. If you want to pack makeup, keep it simple and minimal. 

2. Miscellaneous

• Sunblock 
• Aloe Vera
• Lip Balm w/SPF
• Bug Spray
• Sunglasses
• Sun Hats
• First Aid Kit
• Bottle/Wine Opener
• Stainless-Steel Tumblers Cups
• Ziplock Bags

3. Mom & Dad’s Carry On

•  Travel Documents
• Credit Cards
• Cash
• Passport/ID
• Insurance Card
• Airline Tickets/Boarding Pass
• Camera
• Cell Phone
• Chargers
• Headphones
• Laptop/Tablet/E-book
• Magazine/Book
• Travel Pillow/Blanket
•  Pen

• Medications
•  Food/Snacks
•  Wipes
•  Tissues
• Makeup
• Extra Change of clothes
• Jewelry/watch (Valuables)
• House Keys/Car Keys
• Chapstick
• Travel Hand Sanitizer
• Travel Hand Lotion
• Travel toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Small washcloth
• Hoodie

4. Mom’s Luggage

• 3-4 Bathing Suit
• 2 Cover up
• Flips Flop
• 2 Pair Flat Sandals
• 3-4 Sundress /Romper
• Underwear/bras
• 2 Lingerie/ Pajamas
• Sneakers/Slip-on
• 3 T-shirts
• 3 Tank tops
• 2-3 Dressy summer shirts
• 1 Pair Legging
• 3 pair shorts
• 1 small Clutch
• Straw Hat
• Belt
• Laundry Bag
• 3 Pair socks
• 1 long sleeve

5. Moms Toiletries Bag

• Feminine hygiene Products
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Hairbrush
• Makeup
• Hair Products
• Scrungies
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Hair Gel
• Brush
• Perfume
• Vaseline
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss

6. Dad’s Luggage

• 2- Bathing Suit
• 4-5 pair socks
• 6 underwears
• 3 T-shirts
• 3 Tank top
• 5 undershirts
• 1 pair sneakers
• 1 pair Jeans
• 1 Dressy short sleeve
• 3-4 pair shorts
• 1 Pajamas
• 1 Flips Flops
• 1 Pair dressy sandals/ Dressy comfy shoes

7. Dad’s Toiletries

• Deodorant
• Gel
• Razor
• Facial Soap
• Body wash
• Shampoo
• Body Lotion
• Cologne
• Toothbrush/Tooth Paste
• Floss

Hope this time around packing will be a bit better and organized. The most important is to be STRESS-FREE.  Enjoy your well deserve vacation. What do you pack for your family vacations?  Love to hear all about it. Leave a comment below.