Packing tips for settled and comfortable kids

When we travel, I make sure each of my kids have their own mini backpacks that are small and light enough for them to carry on there own.  I love that they are responsible for these them themselves, giving them a sense of responsibility and also not adding to the already multiple bags carried by us adults! It makes it so much easier and comfortable for them too, knowing that hey have everything they need with them and can access these easily and independently at any time. A bit of forward thinking goes a long way in ensuring that they are comfortable, safe and entertained - no matter where the adventures that day lead us.

Here is what is in each of them:

Toilet seat cover  
I always pack disposable toilet seat covers. These have been a lifesaver in many situations where they are too small to squat, but too big to lift onto those dirty public toilet seats. They adhere to the seat and can be thrown in the bin afterwards. No more pee spray on mum! Phew.

Snacks
Goes without saying. Kids get hungry all the time. Small packs of plain chips, fruit puree pouches or museli bars can come from home and last the distance as a last minute back up when hunger strikes and there is nothing near by that will curb a hangry tantrum in time.

Drink bottle with cross-body strap 
Technically not in the bag, but worn cross body to keep hands free for holding, this was a game changer for us. The detachable cross body strap and straw, made it easy to keep kids hydrated on the go and refill when needed. The hands free aspect meant we didn’t need to carry them either AND they didn’t get left behind like so many before them….. 

ipad & headphones 
A no brainer for planes of course, but I also made sure to utilise audio books to help the kids sleep. Sometimes an unfamiliar room and an overstimulated brain needed something calming to focus on to drift into sleep. Classic short bedtime or fairy stories by Enid Blyton were a favourite this time around.

Small toys
We kept either a small snuggly or comfort toy with each of them, plus a little toy for solo play. These got pulled out more often than we expected when ipads weren’t available or we wanted to encourage screen free time. 

A game
Something small to play together. We would have either travel ludo or connect 4 as well as favourites which were great for train travel across the table, waiting at the airport or some quality family time in the hotel room at the end of a long day..

A quiet activity
My eldest loves to read. My youngest loves to draw. Novels, sticker craft books and magic colour activity books were staples for us. We preferred mess free activities or activities that didn't require packing bulky lots of pencils that would get lost or need sharpening, or textas that would get on everything!

Sanitiser
Yep. We used it religiously while travelling. From using it to clean little hands, sanitise picnic benches and whipe down toilet seats, this kept me sane (and thankfully healthy) during our month long travel in cold and flu season. Paranoid? Perhaps. But I lived to tell the tale.

Hat
Sun hat or beanie. Pack for the weather.

Spare undies and socks
You never know when you will need these. Particularly if travelling long distances and have not got easy access (or any access) to your luggage.
Tissues – Runny noses,  dripping ice creams, cleaning up spills or doubling as toilet paper. These are non negotiable.

Mini pack of wet wipes 
Wipes for wiping down everything from dirty tables to sticky faces. Don’t leave home without them!

Tracker
If you are travelling in high season with lots of crowds or your kid tends to want to lead the way by means of a mad dash ahead of the pack, a tracker linked to your phone will give you peace of mind. Pop it in their pocket, their back pack or on a key ring or wrist strap for peace of mind.

Kiddie Cameras
Obviously not essential, but this was one of my favourite things we packed for them. Their own cameras encouraged them to look around or out the window and pay attention to their surrounds. Snapping their own pictures wasn’t just a great way for them to be more present, it was also a wonderful way to see the trip through their eyes when we got home and also used the snaps to make little albums to take to school for show and tell upon our return.

Happy trails!