There’s nothing quite like taking some time off from the drudgery of your daily life and going on a relaxing vacation with your family. But mind you, planning and packing are crucial for a fun and peaceful holiday trip with your loved ones. If you’re on the fence about what to pack and what to skip, you have come to the right place.
Here we have listed down all the essential items you need on a family holiday!
1. Travel Documents
Without these items, you can’t even think of traveling – like literally – so make sure you (and your family members) have safely packed your passport, boarding pass, visa documents, travel insurance, and other important travel documents. It’s also wise to make a copy prior to your traveling day in case anything goes missing. Keep your travel documents safe while having them easily accessible at the same time.
2. Coats, Rain Jackets, Swimwear
Always pack according to the weather you will experience when you’re at your holiday destination. Is it going to be rainy? Freezing cold? Or are you going to a place where you can enjoy a breezy summer? A quick Google search can help you with that.
Depending on the weather forecast, pack right – but light (don’t overstuff your suitcase with clothing, okay?)
3. Nappies and a Spare Change of Clothes
If you are traveling with babies and small children, you will need to pack enough nappies (including swim nappies and undergarments) and extra clothes for the journey.
In addition to these items, you will need wet wipes, baby food/milk, nappy cream or lotion, nappy sacks, changing mats, etc. If your child is a picky eater, consider packing enough food to last throughout the trip.
4. Portable Baby Carrier
If you have a toddler, we recommend you take a baby carrier with you. It comes in handy during strolls, hikes, and sightseeing that involves lots of hills or stairs. It also shushes down crying babies a lot quicker, especially on the airplane!
A good alternative to a baby carrier is a travel stroller. You can use it put your kids to sleep in restaurants or shopping malls.
5. Phone Chargers, Plug Adaptors, Convertors
For a stress-free vacay, make sure you have your phone with you.
You can’t even risk forgetting your phone charger or adapter because finding the exact ones that are compatible with your mobile phone, and that too, in a foreign land, can be a frustrating and time-consuming task.
Also, keep your laptop, camera, tablet, or any other important device chargers you may need.
6. Medication
Don’t forget to pack your prescribed medicines (if you take any) or motion sickness tablets or bands (if needed).
Keep in mind that medication in liquid form is allowed only in carry-on bags in reasonable quantities for flights. If you have kids, you may want to pack Paracetamol or Ibuprofen for your children in case they get sick.
7. First Aid Essentials
Accidents can happen anywhere, especially if you’re planning an adventurous holiday. Keeping that in mind, make sure you carry along a first aid box consisting of plasters/band aids, antiseptic cream, wipes, sprays, and antihistamines to treat common allergies related to dust, mites, or bugs.
Even if you are not going for some wild, crazy vacation, it’s always smart to pack a first aid box.
8. Cash in Required Currencies
When it comes to essential items you need on a family holiday, there’s nothing more essential than cash. You will obviously need cash in hand if you really want to make the most of your holiday. So, don’t forget to change your local currency into the foreign currency of your chosen holiday destination ahead of your trip. Calculate approximately how much money you will need to have a good time and exchange money accordingly.
To keep your money safe and secure while traveling, use a travel wallet.
9. Hat, Sunglasses, and Sunscreen
Flying to a hot, tropical country? Or planning outdoor recreational activities for your holiday? Make sure you and your family members have their hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen with them. Rather than taking the entire bottle of sunscreen, transfer the content into travel-friendly bottles so they can easily fit into your travel bags without taking extra space.
If you wear eyeglasses, pack an extra pair of spectacles – or contact lenses.
10. Right Pair of Shoes
On the day of your flight, wear your largest/heaviest pair of shoes. Flip flops or sandals are easy to stack in a suitcase. But you will also need other kinds of shoes during your travel, such as sneakers or joggers (if you go on a hike), water shoes, casual shoes, or formal shoes.
Pack shoes depending on the kinds of places you will be visiting during your trip.
11. Essential Toiletries
Toiletries can take up a lot of space if you’re not careful. Try sticking to only essentials such as shampoo/conditioner (if you will be staying in a hotel, skip on these products then), toothpaste/toothbrushes (of your kids, too!), comb/brushes, razor, deodorant, skin cream/moisturizer, makeup essentials, hair supplies (dry shampoo, straightener, curler – whatever you find important).
12. Comfort Items
They may sound extra to you, but if you have younglings, they will be needing their favorite comfort items, such as their go-to play toy, stuff toy, any special blanket, or the likes!
No matter your destination, packing for a family holiday can be sometimes so hard. To ensure hassle-free packing, follow our checklist so that you pack all the essential items you need on a family holiday!
