What do your kids NEED for the trip?

[la79al]

Everytime we have a trip, I go out and buy a ton of stuff for the kids. Obviously summer clothes and shoes can't be avoided. But I always get a zillion activities/snacks/treats that never get used. It's so hard to see stuff with princesses or pirates on it and say 'no they don't need it'. So what stuff do I really 'need' to get the kids for our trip?

 

[disneymoon95]

It looks as though you are going in June?

Need: I would bring some type of hat/visor & sunglasses.

Extras: On our second trip I also purchased misting fans for each of our kids. Wish I had done so for the first trip. The kids loved them and help keep them cool while in the hot sun. For your older ones you may want to
bring handheld game devices to keep them busy in lines. We also always brought our cheepo Wal Mart ponchos, 1 or 2 boxes of Cheez It or Wheat Thin crackers to munch on throughout the day.

I know on our first trip I shopped like mad beforehand too! I bought everything Disney! Activities, clothes, snacks... I soon found out that the kids didn't care about all of this. We let them buy a couple of things during the vacation and they are fine with that.

 

[dougsmom98]

We always buy each of the kids a magazine for the plane ride. We also print off some of the activity pages from the stickies at the top of this page. If we took another summer trip, the misting fans would be a must. We bring Uno cards, Yahtzee, and DS games for the layover at the airport. Other than that, we don't buy/bring anything for them to "play" with. They all get to spend about $20 on a toy at Downtown Disney and that is it.

 

[DISNEYNV]

We have gone numerous times and I always bring too much. The things we used the most for the kids would be rain ponchos, hats, sunblock and chapstick, a few snack items, travel sized hand gel and wipes, the mister fans, autograph books/pin lanyards and extra shoes/sandals or crocs. Also a light jacket or sweatshirt for night time.

 

[blessedby3]

We always buy each of the kids a magazine for the plane ride.

That is a great idea. My DD9 never gets a magazine, but a special one like AG or something would keep her intrested since it is something she doesnt usually have. Thanks for that idea!
I am like the OP. I always buy too much stuff and it just ends up being a hassle to keep up with. I am trying this trip to buy less things and only what is needed!

 

[mom2meiko]

i would love to learn the secret of not over packing! our last trip was beyond pathetic because it was the first time we traveled with our dd who was 6.5 months at the time. i swear i only left her crib and changing table at home! lol!

we are planning our next trip and we will have 2 little ones at that point - 2.5 yrs and 6.5 mos. i'm determined to pack 1/2 of what i packed last time. i figure five or so outfits for each of us (staying for 9 days, we'll have a washer/dryer in our dvc and i hope to have mix and match outfits), 2 pairs of shoes and a lightweight jacket/sweatshirt or something for each of us. a couple of toys for each kid for the plane and some snacks for dd. we may bring a dvd or 2 and a laptop as well.

i'm not saying i'll really manage to pack a more reasonable amount but right now that's my plan.

 

[scrapbookmommy]

i've seen many people suggest the fans which i think is a great idea. i was in tuesday mornings last week and they had some for 1.99 and they where the ones that you program a word for it to say and when the blades spin the word lights up on the little blades. they are really cool. i thought they would like programming in the word disney or some other disney related word. i wish i could have found two but they only had one. for that price i couldn't pass it up.

 

[liznboys]

VERY LITTLE I say!! I have gotten so good at travelling light. Even with 4 kids we just don't need to take that much. Because I went through the same thing, used to buy all sorts of snacks and little toys that ended up wasting space (and money) and creating clutter (in the car, the hotel room, where ever you are).

My boys play their DS's and Leapsters, and watch movies in the car. They all like to color/draw so we bring paper and crayons/pencils. They each get a snack baggie (quart sized ziploc bag) with a mixture of things in it to eat in between meals during travel, and we always have bottled waters on hand.

That's pretty much it! Just say no to that tempting, but useless, junk!!