ideas for packing for kids

[praline3001]

I had a few tips I wanted to share that I have learned over the years when packing kids for a vacation... I thought some of you might be interested

1. One word... THOWAWAYCLOTHES (okay so more than 1 word)
Don't buy them new socks, undies, PJs and clothes for their vacation... instead go through their drawers and find those socks that might have a small hole, might be grungy or whatnot and pack those. Same goes for undies and pjs... looks for shirts that "just fit" or were cheapy play clothes t shirts. Granted don't make your kids look homeless but any mom knows what I am talking about when it comes to those millions of t shirts!!!
The plan? Let the kids get as dirty as they want to... I mean its Disney ..let em have a blast ... and at the end of the day throw those puppies in the trash! (clothes not kids )
Think.. not as much laundry to do when you get home , more room in the suitcase for stuff to bring back... no worrying about that lost sock or something being left behind at the hotel! It makes a mom's job SOOO much easier just to bring toss away park clothes. Besides.. 3 hours into the day and most of the kids' clothes are stained up with drinks and fudge

2. If your packing and not sure on weather (such as Nov, Dec...) pack your boys up with all cargo zip off pants. They dry much faster than jeans, aren't near as heavy and you don't have to worry about packing warm and cool weather bottoms for them

3. Planning on buying a t shirt or 2 for the kids? Count those in for your packing!!! You know the next day they are going to want to wear their new park t shirts!!!

4. If packing for a very young child... start getting them used to a small towel or very small blankie for bed ... I had my daughter attached to a Mickey dish towel EVEN if they don't have a special blankie or pillow... being in a strange place makes it hard for little ones to sleep. You also don't want to pack their blankets, pillows and all their stuffed animals to drag around the hotel... so if you start with the SMALL blankie before you go, the kid will be used to it and attached to it... something from home... and it will make them feel more secure.

5. Invest in a cheap umbrella stroller.. the one I have folds up and has a strap we can carry on our backs. I know those huge MONSTER strollers are comfy and look cute but after dragging them around the park for 2 days... you will die! The stroller we have weighs 7 pounds... its a netted material so no worries about water or stains. Besides they are just kids if they are too tired to walk they can survive in an umbrella stroller rather than the club med of strollers for the parks.

6. Make sure to have something for them to do while waiting in lines. This will keep them occupied and not bothering the other people in line. My kids have fanny/hiking packs and they carry either their game boys, or a pen and tiny notebook (my daughter loves to draw) in their packs. Since the packs are around their waist no need for them to get tired holding them and making MOM lug it around hahaha

 

[bellebud]

great ideas... just wanted to say about the cargo zip off pants that I also have them for me and dd (as well as ds). I found all of ours at Gander Mountain. We also use them on the airplane when we're leaving colder weather in NY and flying to florida. just zip off the legs when we land. also good for the parks going from chilly mornings to hot afternoons to chilly nights. the leg parts fit easily in my backpack.

 

[let'sgo]

Great tips!

The first time we went with our daughters (4 and 5 years old) I didn't have anything for them to do in the lines. They decided they wanted to ride the flying Dumbo ride, and this was with a 45 minute wait and they had been acting up before this. I just told DH that I would NOT wait in line 45 minutes and if they acted up we would leave immediately. The two of them were perfect angels the whole time. Hmmm. Then when we got off the ride the first thing they said was, "Let's do it again." The wait was over an hour and that ride was not worth a 45 minute wait, let alone an hour! Ha ha.