I wish I had remembered/ thought to pack ...

[timzagain]

We just returned from a 5 day trip for a swim meet. It was probably my most efficient packing exercise ever, thanks to my packing list.

However, there are a few things that would have come in handy that I forgot to pack. I'm amending my packing list now to include those items.

Based on the experience of your last trip, was there anything you wish you had brought from home? Please feel free to add to my list...

I wished I had remembered to pack:-

1. A disposable poncho instead of my compact umbrella - less weight on the injured shoulder
2. A jaw clip to put up my hair - forgot to pack one and much to my surprise, I couldn't find one in the stores near the hotel
3. Travel mugs from home - I wasn't at all confident about the housekeeping at the hotel. Precut sponges with the dishwashing liquid should have been packed too
4. A folding duffle - we had this great idea that DD would use her carry-on backpack as the bag for her pool gear for the meet. It didn't work very well - a bigger bag would have been useful
5. Fewer sleeveless shirts, and a few more t-shirts. I had packed for warm weather and it was chilly day and night
6. A child-friendly antihistamine medication - DD had a mild allergic reaction to something she ate, and the only allergy meds I had with me were too strong for her
7. Bandanas - to shield the back of my neck from the sun, to secure the makeshift ice bag (ziploc bag) to DD's injured ankle

What did you forget to pack on your last trip?

Edited to add:

I also wish I'd remembered to pack
* aloe vera gel for treating DD's sunburn
* a mini-calculator for currency conversions, keeping track of team scores etc
* a few more plastic hangers - our hotel room didn't have enough

 

[daisyduck123]

On our last trip (January) I forgot to pack the small pair of scissors I usually bring. They come in handy for all sorts of things. I realized I'd forgotten them as soon as I went to open some souvenir packages I'd purchased that day.

 

[Carol23]

subscribing

 

[MKCP5]

On our last trip (January) I forgot to pack the small pair of scissors I usually bring. They come in handy for all sorts of things. I realized I'd forgotten them as soon as I went to open some souvenir packages I'd purchased that day.

as long as they go in luggage and not carry on!!! that's a mess otherwise!

 

[timzagain]

as long as they go in luggage and not carry on!!! that's a mess otherwise!

Had that happen to me a few years ago - I accidentally dropped my husband's mini penknife into my carry on luggage instead of my checked luggage! I didn't realize what I had done until I got the "You won't be able to take this on board with you. If you like, you can go to the Post Office and mail it home" Of course, that would have meant going thru the long lines and security screening AGAIN and I would have run the risk of missing my flight.

DH was not impressed that I ditched his knife, until I reminded him that it would have been cheaper for me to buy a replacement knife than to pay additional charges for changing my ticket!

I went out and bought a cheap penknife strictly for travel. I usually pack a round nosed kiddie scissors (didn't remember this trip; thankfully I didn't need it) Great for opening packages of new gadgets bought on a trip! It's also good for cutting out gum or the occasional unmanageable tangle in DD's hair!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Rash Guards and swim shoes for my boys and DH, they're all very fair skinned and it's better for them to wear them than to try to cover everywhere with sunscreen, I always manage to miss a spot somewhere. Last vacation we had to buy them at the waterpark, they weren't too $$$, but I know I could've gotten them cheaper elsewhere.

Ponytail holders

clothesline pins for hanging up wet clothes/swimsuits

 

[timzagain]

Rash Guards and swim shoes for my boys and DH, they're all very fair skinned and it's better for them to wear them than to try to cover everywhere with sunscreen, I always manage to miss a spot somewhere. Last vacation we had to buy them at the waterpark, they weren't too $$$, but I know I could've gotten them cheaper elsewhere.

Ponytail holders

clothesline pins for hanging up wet clothes/swimsuits

Thanks for the reminder about the rash guards. We didn't remember to pack them this time and DD got a bit sunburned at the hotel pool.

 

[princesscj]

Great thread...thanks for posting this...I am going to try the over the door shoe thing to store things in the hotel room and single packets of Crystal Light.

 

[princesscj]

Remember this game:

I am going on a trip and I am an taking an aloe-vera, band-aids, cotton balls, diarreha medicine, earrings, f-?, g-?, extra hangers, i-?, j -?, k-?, l-?, mirror, nailclippers, o ?, plasic baggies, q-tips, ressies paperwork, sunscreen, beach towel, underwear, v-?, wipes (antibacterial), x-?, z-?

Anyone got anything else?

 

[MKCP5]

Thanks for the reminder about the rash guards. We didn't remember to pack them this time and DD got a bit sunburned at the hotel pool.

what is a rash guard?

 

[Tisha_PA]

Remember this game:

I am going on a trip and I am an taking an aloe-vera, band-aids, cotton balls, diarreha medicine, earrings, f-?, g-?, extra hangers, i-?, j -?, k-?, l-?, mirror, nailclippers, o ?, plasic baggies, q-tips, ressies paperwork, sunscreen, beach towel, underwear, v-?, wipes (antibacterial), x-?, z-?

Anyone got anything else?

f - first aid kit
g - glasses (as in sunglasses)
i - ipod and insurance cards
l - lipbalm
z - zip lock bags (usually bring several of these to pack shampoo and stuff in)

 

[Harters2WDW]

I was glad I had dish soap with me to wash the resort mugs as well as my DD's sippy cups.

 

[timzagain]

what is a rash guard?

It's a special shirt which, as I understand it, was originally designed for surfers to prevent the chafing/ rash from lying on the surf board while riding waves. Rash guards are made from swimsuit type fabric (nylon/ spandex blend), and are great for sun protection at the pool or beach because they can be worn while swimming.

Speedo and Old Navy carry kids' versions, but you can find them at surf shops (usually more expensive) as well

Here's the link to a girls' rash guard on the Old Navy site to give you an idea of what I'm talking about:


http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=39302&pid=636452&scid=636452012

Long sleeved rash guards as well as boys' versions are also available

Hope this helps.

 

[omegsmom]

It's a special shirt which, as I understand it, was originally designed for surfers to prevent the chafing/ rash from lying on the surf board while riding waves. Rash guards are made from swimsuit type fabric (nylon/ spandex blend), and are great for sun protection at the pool or beach because they can be worn while swimming.

Speedo and Old Navy carry kids' versions, but you can find them at surf shops (usually more expensive) as well

Here's the link to a girls' rash guard on the Old Navy site to give you an idea of what I'm talking about:


http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=39302&pid=636452&scid=636452012

Long sleeved rash guards as well as boys' versions are also available

Hope this helps.

I get my kids' rash guards at Target and sometimes Walmart... much cheaper and work great!

 

[timzagain]

Another useful thing to travel with is duct tape. Instead of packing a whole roll, just roll some on to a pencil.

We didn't pack it or need it on this trip, but it comes in handy for small repair jobs. On one trip, my DH dropped his camera and damaged the cover for the battery compartment so that it wouldn't stay shut. A bit of duct tape held it in place for the rest of the trip.

Word of caution though - I remember reading somewhere that duct tape is on the TSA's hit list of things NOT to pack in carry on luggage, as it can be used as a restraint. If you're going to take duct tape, put it in your checked luggage.

 

[MKCP5]

It's a special shirt which, as I understand it, was originally designed for surfers to prevent the chafing/ rash from lying on the surf board while riding waves. Rash guards are made from swimsuit type fabric (nylon/ spandex blend), and are great for sun protection at the pool or beach because they can be worn while swimming.

Speedo and Old Navy carry kids' versions, but you can find them at surf shops (usually more expensive) as well

Here's the link to a girls' rash guard on the Old Navy site to give you an idea of what I'm talking about:

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=39302&pid=636452&scid=636452012

Long sleeved rash guards as well as boys' versions are also available

Hope this helps.

ooooooooooooH Okay! I thought they were talking about that powder my DH always wants so he doesn't chafe in the heat!!!

Now thats a rash guard!!

 

[MidgeD79]

Instead of packing hangers, call mousekeeping and ask for more.

 

[timzagain]

Instead of packing hangers, call mousekeeping and ask for more.

I like to throw in a few plastic hangers (2 per person), so that the quick drying clothes we hand wash in the sink can be hung in the shower to drip-dry. I wouldn't risk drip drying on the wooden hangers that are provided in most hotels - as I learned from previous experience, the wet wood can leave a nasty, permanent stain in your clothes.

On the subject of hand washing clothes in the room, you can speed up the drying process by squeezing the item in an extra towel or even better a swim towel/ chamois to absorb excess water.

 

[jms531]

Extra set of contacts or extra pair of glasses. Nothing like finally getting to the World and ripping a contact and not being able to see anything the rest of the trip

 

[princessesrule]

Remember this game:

I am going on a trip and I am an taking an aloe-vera, band-aids, cotton balls, diarreha medicine, earrings, f-?, g-?, extra hangers, i-?, j -?, k-?, l-?, mirror, nailclippers, o ?, plasic baggies, q-tips, ressies paperwork, sunscreen, beach towel, underwear, v-?, wipes (antibacterial), x-?, z-?

Anyone got anything else?

j-junk toys that you don't mind losing that will keep the kids occupied
o- orange juice crystal light powder (single serve) to add to water
v- vaseline (travel size)