My #1 tip for staying organized when packing for family travel
With the holiday break coming up, I wanted to share with you how I stay organized when packing for a family trip. There is always so much to remember and as Moms, we are usually the ones responsible for packing for the kids too. It can get really overwhelming when trying to remember everything. A few months ago, we took a trip to New York City and we made a YouTube video of how we packed for our trip. You can watch it here and also see some of the looks we put together.
The app you need now!
I use the Evernote App to stay organized for everything, not just travel. This app is life-changing! I have so many different notes and notebooks to stay organized in life. I seriously love this app (and this is no paid ad or collaboration whatsoever!) I only have the free version, but it’s been great for the past several years now. In the video, I show the template I created to make sure I remember everything I need when packing for the kids. You can check it out here.  It’s a super simple checklist, but it works!
During the days leading up to the trip, as I remember things to pack, I just jot it down in the note I created for packing. I actually have a notebook within the app labeled “Travel”. My “Packing” note is nested under that notebook. Other notes under the Travel notebook include any travel information I have, any recommendations I get, I even keep track of rooms we like at our favorite hotels, restaurants we want to try, people’s names who have helped us, etc. It’s really easy to take a picture and include links within the notes too.
I also sometimes make itineraries for our trips and use the Evernote app. I like the desktop version too and the fact that it syncs seamlessly with the mobile app.
So using the Evernote app is my #1 tip for staying organized!
Some other packing tips:
- Make a list of the activities during your trip and plan your outfits accordingly.
- Pack the complete outfits in piles so they are easy for the kids to grab out of the suitcase. (I’d love to eventually invest in packing cubes for the kids too.)
- Label the outfits by day using sticky notes (as seen in the photo above).
- If you’ve purchased new clothes for your kids, make sure they try them on before the trip (like we did in the video); you don’t want to be away and realize that something doesn’t feel good on them or fit right.
- Try to keep all of the outfits matching to one or two pairs of shoes to save space.
- Have all the laundry done and put away first so you know where everything is while you’re packing.
- Have a checklist to go off of to be sure you’re packing what you need- not overpacking and not forgetting anything.
- Pack ahead of time! Waiting until the night before will add additional stress to the process, especially when you’re responsible for packing for multiple people.
Let me know in the comments below any tips you have for packing for your families. I’d love to hear what works for you!
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36 Comments
Keshia Richmond
Evernote is a great tool for organizing and somis packing in individual packages within the luggage.
growingupglad
Yes, that’s a great tip as well!
Cristina Petrini
I never thought about how to actually pack all the best for family trips and get everything organized once you get there! An idea to copy!
growingupglad
Thank you! I hope it helps!
Sudipta Dev Chakraborti
I agree with you completely, Evernote is very useful and effective. Want to also thank you for the great packing list.
growingupglad
Aww thanks for watching the video! I didn’t even think to include that in the post!
Neshama Bonneau
When you said that moms are responsible for the packing, I FELT THAT IN MY SOUL. With the amount of traveling we do I need to try evernote to keep it all together. I usually pack the kids way ahead of myself and use large Ziplocks for small items like underwear and socks. I like the system of the sticky notes, definitely giving that a try for our next trip.
BTW, I love your blog. Followed! – NeShama@TwoGirlsandaMomma
growingupglad
Thank you so much! I appreciate that! The ziplock idea sounds great too!
Ankita
I am still so old school with regards to all this. Me & my notepad & then goes all my organizing as I lose the notepad. This app is something I need.
growingupglad
This is great since your phone is always on you!
Jessi Joachim
I need to get this app! Even when not traveling, it looks like it could help me with organization of my busy family!
growingupglad
Yes, for sure!
Tara Pittman
I love the tips for the clothes. I have packing cubes and they are awesome. They allow my boys to share a suitcase.
growingupglad
That’s really smart and efficient! I want to invest in packing cubes as well.
Dalene Ekirapa
I’ll definitely appreciate the Evernote app because frankly, I tend to forget some things while packing, especially if I don’t pack way before time.
growingupglad
That’s exactly why I use it too! And I too need to pack way before time.
Katie
These are all excellent tips! We travel a lot but my notes are all over the place in the notes section of my phone. I definitely need that app!
growingupglad
It’s such a great free App! You’ll love it!
Sarah Bailey
I don’t have kids but I am still the least organised person when it comes to travelling. I over pack and forget things and I’m just generally a complete nightmare. I’ll have to give some of your tips a try and see if they help.
growingupglad
I hope they help a bit 🙂
Heather
You are so incredibly organized. I thought I was until I saw this. Now I know I need to step up my game.
growingupglad
Lol I think you’re doing more than fine!
Hannah Marie
This is a great guide to avoid some troubles when you travel. It is pretty innovative actually. Something worthwhile to read.
growingupglad
Thank you!
leah
packing for kiddos plus yourself is always a task for me, awesome tips!
growingupglad
Thank you!
Tren
Packing for a trip is always tricky. I am always double checking everything. Especially things I know I can’t buy (prescribe meds, contacts). Thanks for sharing this.
growingupglad
I do the same!
Rachel
I should have sent this to my friend. She has been packing for her family trip for days and just hearing about it was making me crazy.
growingupglad
Yes, please do pass it along! I hope it can be of some help. 😉
Kacie Morgan
I am a self-confessed list-making addict, so I think I need to check out the Evernote app. I’d heard of it before but wasn’t too sure what it was.
growingupglad
Oh, you will love it then!
Amy Smith
I need to set up an Evernote account. My husband uses it and tells everyone about it. He is a youth pastor so he uses it a lot to keep everything organized.
growingupglad
Oh I bet he sure does have a lot of notes!
Nicole
I used the Evernote app when I was in college. It was the best way to stay organized and keep all my notes and tasks together. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone. Thanks for sharing!
growingupglad
Sure! I wish we had something like this when I was in college! lol