As parts of the world open up…

,..and schools are still closed or just starting what passes for summer holidays this year, lets take a look at some of the things we should be taking with us. If we are some of the lucky few who manage to get away this summer, be that home or away! It been a while since i have written a travel article for the blog, because we haven’t been away for the last 7 months, but then how many of us have!

Family vacations are a great time to sit back, relax and enjoy the simple things in life. However, a poorly-planned family holiday can be a huge letdown and before we know it, we might end up feeling homesick and eager for the vacation to end. Holidays should be a time of relaxation and even celebration. Part of that comes down to how well you manage to plan ahead, and packing is one of the most important aspects of a well-planned vacation.

So in this post, we’ll be taking a look at how you can pack for a vacation with the family to ensure you’ll have a blast.

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Separate everyday items into smaller bags

When it comes to packing for a holiday, there are probably a bunch of items that you’re going to need on a daily basis such as your phone, wallet, sunscreen, medication, sunglasses and so on. When it comes to these everyday items, keep them in a separate small bag that can be flung over your shoulder, or a pouch that you can attach to your belt. This makes it easier to organize your everyday items and ensures that you always have the things you need for an outing. It also helps you gauge how much space you’re going to need for a day bag.

Every family member should have a little pouch for the things they use on a regular basis. We suggest getting your kids one that can attach to their belt or clothes, or one that can go over their shoulder. Just remember that liquids should be taken out so you don’t get stopped when you go through security at the airport!

You should also consider storing important documents in these smaller bags since they’ll likely be at your side for most of the trip. This can include passports, travel documents, visas, medical records, insurance information and even a copy of your tickets. If you’re travelling with children, then you may want to hold onto their important documents as well.

For electronics, consider a pencil case

Pencil cases are excellent little storage pouches for electronics and cables. If you’re bringing a smartphone and a bunch of charging cables for the whole family, using a pencil case is a smart and simple way to keep a hold of all your cables without them getting lost or creating a huge mess in your bags. Cheap pencil cases can be had for next to nothing, and you can even use ziplock bags if you have them laying around.

Consider the temperature at your destination

It’s also important to look at what the temperature will be like. When it’s summer, you’d be smart to bring some skincare essentials to keep your skin protected from UV rays. You’ll also want to protect your eyes, so see here for some ideas on which sunglasses to buy. Ideally, they need to be able to protect you and your family from UV rays while also being comfortable and sturdy. A cheap pair of sunglasses might not have strong UV protection and are only used for fashion purposes.

On the other hand, if your destination is cold then you may want to bring a couple of extra layers. This comes at the cost of less space in your suitcase and bags, so you should try to fit efficient pieces of clothing in to save space. For instance, base layers and thermal clothes can keep you warm without taking up much space in your luggage, and a simple scarf can help keep the cold away from your neck.

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Emergency items

If you have the space, you should always consider adding a couple of emergency items to your bags. This can include emergency toiletries, extra medication, a first aid kit and even some emergency contact cards that you can give to your children in the event something happens. Nobody wants to think about the consequences of having an accident on holiday, but having emergency items will give you that extra peace of mind to ensure a safe and fun family holiday. Of course with the current virus situation (if you are reading this is Summer 2020) then in, or at least next to that first aid kit make sure you have a good number of face masks for you all as well as hand wash as well. We are going to have to be more careful as we travel now for obvious reasons.

It’s also important that you know how to use those items instead of just keeping them around. Make sure that any medicine you take is suitable for both you and your family, and ensure you bring extras for any necessary medication that you and your family need to take.

Consider making it an educational holiday

Holidays can actually be both fun and interesting, especially if you’re bringing kids. A great source of ideas for places to visit is actually looking at locations that your kids are learning about in their classes. For instance, if they’ve developed an interest for landmarks around the world, or even specific kinds of animals, then planning a trip around an educational experience can actually be a lot of fun.

So in order to pack for this, you’ll need to bring a couple of study essentials. This will mainly include writing instruments such as pens and pencils, notebooks where your kids can record their thoughts and experiences, and perhaps even an instant camera so they can scrapbook the things they learn. You may also want to consider bringing a laptop to make certain tasks easier, such as putting together a lesson plan or schedule, or looking up information related to the study subject.

While online learning might be an extremely convenient way to study things around the world, there’s nothing quite like seeing and experiencing it first hand. It’s a great way to learn about new cultures and get a better view of the world.

Schools are closed, and its looking like they might remain so for a good while yet. It is certainly worth considering keeping developing minds busy while all of us teachers try to work out how to at least start the coming school year online!

Hopefully, this article has given you some helpful packing advice for a safe and fun family vacation. While it’s not the most difficult thing in the world, you shouldn’t underestimate the likelihood that you forget something important while packing for your holiday. It’s always best to be safe, so consider writing up a list and add to it as your holiday date approaches.