Tuesday, May 22, 2012

traveling with young children: tip #1

We just got back from our annual adventure to Southern California to visit Grandma and Grandpa Chiniquy and Mickey and Minnie.

My daughter, Kate and granddaughter, Madi joined us for three days at Disneyland. It was Madilyn's first time to the happiest place on earth. There is nothing that compares to watching little ones see a "real" princess for the first time. Don't you agree? It's magical. If you ask Madi what she did when she saw Tiana in the parade, she'll answer, "I freaked out." She did, and it was hilarious.

Traveling with little ones is always a unique experience. :) But there are also some very simple things we do to make it more enjoyable.


Planning ahead is a big one. I package up one outfit for each day--including undies and hair accessory--in a zipper bag. When I get to the hotel, I put them in a drawer and Ella can choose one each morning. It saves time (no rummaging through the suitcase to find items) and tantrums. I noticed the last time my granddaughter, Madi came for a sleepover, Kate had each of her outfits packaged up. Like mother, like daughter. :)




With the summer weather here, it was a great time to declutter E's closet. It was also a great time to implement the same idea above for everyday. It's working wonderfully and we're both happy. I just rotate her outfits from the hangers to the bins.

Note: I have a basket at the top of her closet to gather items I purchase for next year on sale or even clearance. We have a large play room downstairs for the girls, but Ella has a few toys in her room to play with. I find the less there is in a child's room, the easier it is to keep tidy. And they don't become overwhelmed when it's time to clean up.

One last thing. I tend to be a "just-incase" packer (translation: I'd better pack this and this and this just incase), but both Lynn and I decided to travel lighter this year. There's a great article here, on how to pack ten days worth of clothing into a carry-on. The rolling method versus stacking worked well and we actually cut out an entire suitcase this trip.

Happy Traveling,
Kim

36 comments:

  1. I have long packed by outfit and then put each outfit in a plastic grocery bag (packing for myself, not a kid). That way not only do I know I have enough to make it work and outfits that actually got together, but I have plastic bags for whatever I need. An extra trash bag somewhere, that last minute wet item with no time to dry before having to pack to go back, extra padding for fragile souvenirs.

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  2. I'm adding your suggestions to my list. Thanks, Sandy!

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  3. This is a wonderful tip! My husband and I are going on vacation this summer and while we are gone, our daughter will also be going on vacation with her grandparents to their camp on a fairly remote island. I'm already starting to put a packing list together for her and this tip will be precisely how I put together her outfits. It will be so easy on her grandma too! Thanks! And your photos are beautiful by the way.

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  4. This will make the frequent trips I make to see family out of state easier for both me and my girls! I have to find so really big bags though since we are not as small as your girls.

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  5. Love the idea! Seems so simple once I read it, but I have never thought of it. Off topic, but where did you get your nice canvas closet organizer? I want some!

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  6. Thanks, Nicole. I found them at TJ Maxx aka Home Goods. They were only $9.99 and $7.99.

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  7. Great idea! We will use this year when we go to disneyworld! That pearl necklace is so cute, where did you get it!?

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  8. Works awesome for camping too! keep all the kids clothes clean, even if they throw them all over the tent, looking for "the " outfit

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  9. what an awesome tip! traveling is a part of life for us, and with 3 kids thi will be soo helpful!

    thanks!

    Tamika @ No Time for Tea Parties
    www.notimefortea.com

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  10. Sarah, I love it! Sounds like you're speaking from experience. :)

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  11. I'm hosting a brand new link party called {living the width} over at my blog, The Terpblog.

    The party is focused on intentional living and all types of posts are welcome. I hope you'll link up! Thanks!

    http://theterpblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-living-width-volume-i.html

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  12. Nice! What size bags did you use?

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  13. Where did u get those cute necklaces in the bagged outfits?

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  14. Same question - what size bags are these?

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  15. These are 8 1/2 x 11 bags I purchased at at warehouse sale, but I also use the Ziploc gallon size all the time. Store them in your suitcase and you can use them over and over.

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  16. Hi. What size zipper bags did you use to pack your kiddos clothes? Thanks!

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  17. Hey there! Just wanted to let you know we featuring you in our Favorite Find Fridays post next Friday over at Whimsically Homemade. We're using one of your pictures and are linking back to you. If that's a problem let us know and we'll remove it immediately. Thanks for your great inspiration!

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  18. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  19. I've tried this before but it made my luggage to heavy. It made the clothes heavier I think because the clothes are packed so close tightly. I do use the gallon bags for our shoes & dirty clothes.

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  20. I've tried this before but it made my luggage to heavy. It made the clothes heavier I think because the clothes are packed so close tightly. I do use the gallon bags for our shoes & dirty clothes.

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  21. I saw this right before I took my 4 month old to Washington state for a visit to her grandparents, we live in Connecticut, and it helped me so much to not have to search through the whole suitcase for her outfit!
    http://theblegenbunch.blogspot.com/2013/04/packing-for-travel-and-for-moving.html

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  22. I actually use my daughter's hair bands to group outfits together for her and her brother. We (my husband and I) use pack-it cubes for us. The kid's have pack-it folders/cubes, and I'll be incorporating those into our upcoming trip.

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