How early do you pack when traveling with kids?

[stefplus3]

We leave exactly 10 days from today and it's me, dh, our 3 kids (ages 12, 8 and 2) plus my 28 yr old brother. Am I silly to start packing now? I have the check lists all ready to go but I want to put the stuff in bags, lol.

How early do you pack?

 

[Manda]

I work full-time and we usually leave at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning. So, I have to do most of the packing the weekend prior. I put the suitcase out a couple weeks prior and start tossing things in there that we need for vacation, but don't need at home. When the weekend prior rolls around, I pretty much pack all the clothes. I get the toiletry bags ready, but leave them in the bathroom and we kinda live out of those for that week. It's actually a good way to realize what you forgot to pack. By the time I get home from work on the day before the trip, I only have a few last minutes items to pack and arrange.

 

[bzzymom]

I start to pack things about 1-2 weeks before the trip. I know what I want to take, and as I wash them, I pack them. I tried last minute packing before, and forgot things. I do better starting early.

 

[CastleCreations]

I pack, as soon as I get my lists made. I make a list for each bag, and check off the item as I put it in. I hate unpacking, just to double check. Sometimes, if it's an impromptu trip, I have to pack the same morning...Yikes!!

 

[Hannathy]

My kids don't have enough clothes to pack 2 weeks ahead of a 2 week trip! I will start stacking things up a couple of days ahead but do the bulk of the packing the day before, finishing the night before we leave if in the Am.

 

[lnh'smom]

I am a total planner and have to at least start packing 1-2 weeks ahead. We aren't telling our kids we are going till the morning of. I am not sure what I am gonna do to keep it from them.

 

[kelscross]

I start packing the weekend before we leave then I do a double check the night before we leave.

 

[tink_about_it]

I have 4 kids and start packing around a week before we leave. It will be strictly OLD clothes right before we leave. I have a bag for each of them. I find it easier to do that way. When we unpack, it's easier to know where each of their stuff goes. (We drive ) I know it's crazy, but I'm not a list maker. I usually do pretty well without a list because I do have a bag for everyone. I usually have everthing packed by 2 days out besides my flat-iron, hairdryer (because I like my own), make-up, toothbrushes...but I leave a bag in each bathroom to pack as we use on departure day.

 

[PJinNYC]

Not too early for you to start. We don't go for about another month and I have a laundry basket out that I have been putting thing in that I don't want to forget.

 

[stefplus3]

I'm starting tonight!! Glad I'm not the only super planner, lol.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

Okay, maybe we're a little different than most 'cause we take our motorhome to Fort Wilderness. Anywho - because of this - some of our stuff (toothbrushes, toiletries, shampoo, etc.) stays packed. Other stuff - like clothes and food - I start packing as early as a month before.

The best thing about taking the motorhome is that there is no unpacking, packing, etc. when we arrive at WDW. We've already done it waaaayyyy before leaving home. When we get back home - no hurry, we drive the m/h into the back yard, plug in, and unpack as we feel like it. We went to WDW over Memorial Day weekend - I'm still not finished unpacking since we got back home. I'll get to it, I'm off for the summer!

Happy Camping!

 

[iluvgoofy24]

I'm leaving Friday morning and I started packing Tuesday. My Dad and brother were packed by Sunday evening, my mom tonight and my sister tonight. We just don't have that maby clothes to start packing early in advance. Actully for me, packing Tuesday was early, I am usually up late the night before we leave packing. I don't know what got into me this time?!?

 

[stacy2197]

We leave in ten days too. I'm going to start packing tomorrow. I already have one bag packed with glow sticks, sun screen and other things I packed. But tomorow I'm bringing out all the luggage and going to start organinizing every thing.

 

[Starr W.]

The day before we leave for clothes, usually check my plastic baggies if I need refills on toothpaste etc. about 2 weeks out.

Will pack a box of stuff to send down(coffee, cereal, snacks) about a week out.

I hate suitcases sitting around for more than a day.

 

[Schucraig]

At least a week or two before! I like to have everything ready!

 

[stefplus3]

We leave in ten days too. I'm going to start packing tomorrow. I already have one bag packed with glow sticks, sun screen and other things I packed. But tomorow I'm bringing out all the luggage and going to start organinizing every thing.

Maybe we'll see you there

 

[tnmom25]

Well, we have until December and I have a rubbermaid tote full already. But most of that is custom outfits and surprises for the kids and this & that stuff that I don't want to forget and won't need until then!

So, I guess it's never too early!

 

[Linda Bell]

Well, we have until December and I have a rubbermaid tote full already. But most of that is custom outfits and surprises for the kids and this & that stuff that I don't want to forget and won't need until then!

So, I guess it's never too early!

Same here. I never stop putting things in the tote. There is always a sale and always another trip planned.

Linda

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I'll lay our suitcases out in the dining or living room a week or two ahead of time and just toss things in as I think of them. A few days before we leave I make a list and pack the rest. I don't think its ever too early, unless you have limited space to work in.