Family Holiday Packing

I fondly remember my childhood family holidays.  Recently, my Dad asked me, “Do you remember us taking you to ________?”

I couldn’t remember, and I could tell my Dad was a little disappointed.  Then I said, “Dad, it doesn’t matter that I can’t remember every single place we visited, what matters is you and Mum created memories of an overwhelmingly happy childhood.”

Holidays are about creating memories of an overwhelmingly happy childhood.

That’s what it’s about: memories and that sense of belonging.  Now I’m the parent and am in the midst of the memory making stage of parenting. We make it a priority to take a family holiday every year (and take mini long weekend holidays whenever we can).

Holiday Bag

On our official annual family holiday, I pack a special bag of goodies for each of my children. This doesn’t have to be expensive.  Typically I include these things:

* Colouring/activity book

* Small toy

* Lollies (a rare thing in our family)

* New Book

* Green Shopping Bag

Family Treat

I like to take a family-fun treat too, like a board game. I love how the The Book Chook puts it: “I can’t resist activities that give kids opportunities for learning and socializing, wrapped up in a package of fun.”

Other ideas: skipping rope, a variety of balls (for ball games), Frisbee, kite, 

The Holiday Box

I also have a dedicated holiday box, similar to our camping box.  The idea of the box is it’s already packed and ready to take with you on holidays.  From matches to paper towel and BBQ utensils to paper plates, it’s all there.

This are some of the things I keep in the box:

• Aluminium foil
• Glad bags
• Bin liners
• Pegs
• Washing powder
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Medication (panadol/nurofen)
• Tea towels
• Hand towel
• Bath mat
• Disinfectant
• Matches
• BBQ Utensils
• Toilet paper
• Paper towel
• Kitchen cloths
• Hand sanitiser 
• Washer
• Baby wipes
• Plastic plates/cups/cutlery (for picnics)
• Colouring pencils
• Batteries
• White vinegar
• Take-away container

Notes: When you come home from holidays, I replenish the box so it’s ready for next time.

Printable Packing Lists

Below are links to the printable packing lists I use (incase they are of use to anyone). These can be great for older kids too, so they can pack and tick the items off the list themselves.

The Holiday Box Packing List

Basic Food Packing List

Summer Packing List

Winter Packing List

The Car Box List

You can find a post about the car box here: The Car Box.

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More Holiday Posts

Budget Family Holiday Tips

Packing camping gear

Packing camping food

Memory Making

Travel Dice

Entertaining Kids on Long Car Trips

Aussie Road Trip