Add these 11 essentials to your summer vacation packing checklist to make sure you don’t forget
Summer is finally here, and that means it’s quickly approaching the time for your upcoming summer vacation. As a mom, you have to not only worry about packing everything you need for yourself but also for your kids! That’s all a lot to keep up with, so of course, you’ll probably forget to pack an item or two. You don’t want to spend your vacation running back and forth to the store, so let’s talk about some of the most commonly overlooked items you should make sure to pack for your upcoming vacation.
11 Packing Essentials You Don’t Want To Forget This Vacation
1. A first-aid kit
We all know accidents happen quite frequently with kids. You may even be sporting a brand-new pair of shoes, and we all know how frustrating blisters can be on vacation. No matter why you may need a first-aid kit, this is one packing essential that you don’t want to be caught without.
There are many different types of first aid kids online that are made specifically for travel. Otherwise, you may want to make your own travel first-aid kit filled with all the essentials you may need, including some over-the-counter medications for nausea, pain, and sleep. Chances are, you’ll be happy you came prepared.
2. Shoe insoles
For some, vacation is all about kicking back and relaxing. For others, it’s the time to get out and explore. No matter what you plan to do on vacation, you will more likely than not be on your feet more than you’re used to being. Since you want to get the most out of your vacation, don’t let foot pain get in the way.
Now, a good pair of shoes goes a long way when you’re up and active on vacation. Sometimes, though, it’s just not enough. For people with high arches especially, a supportive supination insole can make a huge difference.
When you have high arches, your ankles tend to roll outward, which puts pressure on the outside of your foot. Because that pressure is put in a specific area, standard insoles don’t typically do the trick.
Instead, insoles made for high arches stabilize the foot and balance the pressure so that it’s more evenly distributed. When you find an insole that is specially designed for your foot type, you’ll find that the support is exactly what you need to stay on your feet for longer.
3. Quick-fix cosmetic items
When it comes time to pack your toiletries for vacation, you may want to stock up on some cosmetic essentials that you can use on the fly or when you don’t have enough time to get ready. Here are some quick-fix cosmetic items you may consider bringing:
- Dry shampoo
- Deodorant wipes
- pH balancing wipes
- Wet wipes
- Oil blotting sheets
With essentials like these packed away, you’ll have what you need to stay fresh all vacation.
4. A nail kit
It seems like every time you’re on vacation, you break a nail and have no way of fixing it. If you bring a small travel-sized nail kit, you can rest assured that you’ll have everything you need to give your nails a quick repair and get going.
5. Lip protection
Most people have sunscreen at the top of their list when packing for vacation, but they often forget about protection for their lips! You never want to let your lips go without protection when you’re out in the intense sun. Make sure you grab a lip balm made with some type of SPF so that you can hydrate and protect your lips at the same time!
6. A hat
If you are planning on being in the sun often during your vacation, you need to remember to bring a hat for both you and your kiddos. While sunscreen can help protect your skin, a hat can protect your skin even further.
Sun-safe hats protect your entire face, your head, and the back of your neck. By wearing a hat out in the sun, you can reduce how much UV radiation reaches your eyes in half. When looking for a sun-safe hat to pack, make sure it meets these standards:
- The brim covers and protects your entire face but doesn’t obstruct your vision.
- It has a dark lining.
- It has good ventilation to help keep you cool in the heat.
By wearing a hat along with protecting your skin with sunscreen, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Plus, you will feel so much more comfortable with a shaded face.
7. Rainy day clothes
In the days leading up to your vacation, you’ll be checking the forecast to get a better idea of what you need to pack for your trip. Keep in mind, though, that the weather can change at any minute.
You might see a forecast of sunny days and warm weather throughout the entirety of your trip, but it could always end up raining during your trip unexpectedly! That’s why you should always remember to pack some gear that you may need for a surprise rainy day.
You don’t need to worry about bringing a whole new wardrobe for you and your kids. Pack a few rain jackets, long pants, and maybe even a travel umbrella, and you’ll be good to go!
8. Warm clothes
Just like with your rainy day clothes, you don’t want to forget to pack warm clothes either. It may be sunny and 80 during the day, but the temperature could always drop during the evening. When packing your clothes for the day, make sure you remember to bring a jacket or a sweater, a pair of sweatpants or leggings, and anything else you may want to bring to keep warm if the temperature drops.
9. A laundry bag
Day by day, you and your family will start accumulating dirty clothes, which can be a challenge to keep separated from your clean clothes. You probably won’t be doing laundry during your trip, so instead bring a laundry bag! You can put all of your dirty clothes into this bag while you’re on your trip, and then you’ll have everything ready to toss in the washer when you get home. It’s genius!
10. A portable charger
Especially if you plan to be on the go for the majority of your vacation, you don’t want to leave home without a portable charger. You may not always be around an outlet to charge your phone, so a portable charger is one of the most important tech-related items you should always remember to bring!
11. Cash
We all have grown to rely on our cards to pay for pretty much everything. When you travel, though, you should always make sure to pack a bit of cash just in case.
Before you leave for vacation, you should put a travel notice on your card so that your bank doesn’t lock your account because of unusual transactions. Prepare as much as you may, accidents still happen! Sometimes your bank will still freeze your account even with advanced notice. Carrying cash with you is a great way to ensure you are prepared for anything.
Getting your family packed and ready to go for summer vacation is a big undertaking. While you don’t want to overpack, you don’t want to underpack either. Make sure you’re prepared for everything this upcoming summer trip—no matter where you and your family are going.
