How to Teach Kids to Pack for a Trip

Taking kids on a trip with you can be as thrilling as it is exhausting. For many people, the only way to push through this is to take the time and plan and work with their kids. Packing and traveling can be exciting and fun as long as you do it in innovative ways! We’ve asked around and combined the top 4 best practices that we’re going to share with you in today’s post.

Let us tell you how to teach any child how to pack, actually pack, and why we pack so they get ready and excited for any upcoming trip!

#1 Teach The Why

One of the cliches about children that will always stand true is that they want to know everything about anything that can be mentioned. Therefore, it’s very important to mention to your child ahead of time that you’ll be packed together. Get them ready and excited. This can be spaced out by a couple of days, or even a week, to give them time to think about it. By the time it’s the moment you have to pack, they’ll be as mentally prepared as possible and there won’t be any surprises.

#2 Teach The What

Once your kids know the why, it’s time to have a fun conversation with them about things that can and can’t go on trips. This should be catered to your mode of transit and how many days you’ll be gone. It can go from you discussing whether it’s right to bring the living room television with you as a joke and then work backward from there. Keep it lighthearted and fun, and discuss what’s vital for every trip while keeping them entertained.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when packing lite with your kids:

• Together, write down a list of all things needed for the trip. This can include swimsuits, a camera, sunscreen, a hiking hat, travel-sized toiletries, and some favorite snacks on the go.
• Prioritize the items you’re packing. You can divide them into “absolutely must be packed” such as medications and “not that important” such as another pair of shoes if you already packed some comfortable ones.
• Don’t forget to remind your kids that they will be carrying their own luggage. That means the more they pack, the heavier their luggage will be! They might rethink packing more stuff. 🙂
• Try to limit tech devices and toys. Check if you really need that extra teddy bear, speaker, headphones, and extra batteries.

#3 Teach The How

Now, let’s move on to practice no. 3. which is showing your child how you like to pack. Yes, that’s right! Although this might feel like a good moment to show them the rolling method for packing, or whatever packing trend is in style now, curb that line of thought. Instead, show them how you pack. The main reason for this is that they’ll learn from watching you and possibly be more likely to pick up the habits you have. If you don’t like your packing habits, now is the time to unlearn them and start fresh.

#4 Teach The When

Let your child know when the best time to start packing is. For short one or two-day trips, you can start the day before or even the day off, but it’s good to help them make a process with it for longer trips. Have your child help you fold laundry and directly put things that need to be packed into their luggage. Make it clear that once an item goes into the suitcase, it’s there until you’re on your vacation. This will keep them from trying to sneak extra toys into it.

All Together Now

Show your child by packing with them. Help them set up their suitcase and slowly add to it over a day or two. Show them the importance of packing your toothbrush and toothpaste and whether or not they should pack a swimsuit along with their luggage. Be honest about where you’re going, don’t say you’re going to a theme park when you’re looking at real estate for sale in Whistle.

What’s your experience packing with your kids? Don’t be shy and share it in comments below!