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You are here: Home / Keeping the Home / Simplify Vacation Preparation with a Packing List

Simplify Vacation Preparation with a Packing List

June 23, 2014 By Shannon This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

Vacations are supposed to provide an opportunity to relax and be refreshed. Unfortunately, they’re often somewhat stressful.

For me, the stress can begin when it’s time to pack. How many shirts will I need? Will I need a bathing suit or sunscreen? I don’t want to forget my toothbrush or any other critical toiletry items.

Years ago my mother shared with me about how she uses a packing list. I’ve adopted this practice and it has really simplified my preparation for trips!

I have the list typed up on the computer, so it’s easy to adapt to different scenarios. I’ll simply add or delete items as needed for a particular trip. I’ve also included space to document tasks that need to be completed before leaving on a trip. Here are the categories I’ve included on my packing list:

  • To-do the week before leaving (do laundry, clean out fridge, water houseplants, etc.)
  • Clothing items (shirts, pants, socks, bathing suit, etc.)
  • Health and hygiene items (toothbrush and toothpaste, bath soap, medications, etc.)
  • Paperwork and money (reservation confirmations, maps, extra cash, etc.)
  • Miscellaneous items (cell phone and charger, umbrella, travel pillow, GPS, etc.)
  • To-do the day you leave (take out trash, put lamp on timer, reset thermostat, etc.)

Of course, the specific things you’d include on your list likely differ from mine, so here is a blank copy of the list that you are welcome to use.

Packing List | Vacations can be surprisingly stressful. Minimize the stress at the start of your vacation by using these helpful packing lists.

(An editable, MS Word version of the list can be accessed here: Blank Packing List for Adults.)

You’ll notice that this list isn’t really suitable for an entire family. Thus, I’ve created a version that contains categories that are more suitable for children. This list doesn’t include the to-do or paperwork/money categories, but it does provide space to document items often needed by children, such as travel games, snacks, sippy cups, portable cribs, security blankets/stuffed animals, and strollers.

Packing List for Kids | Vacations can be surprisingly stressful. Minimize the stress at the start of your vacation by using these helpful packing lists.

(An editable, MS Word version of the list can be accessed here: Blank Packing List for Kids.)

While these packing lists will not take all of the stress out of planning for a trip, they can certainly help reduce it. I hope you’ll find them to be beneficial!

What things do you do to simplify the vacation packing process?

Related posts:

Shared on the following link-ups:

Summer Family Fun Party, Creativity Unleashed, Thrive @ Home, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, One Project at a Time, Titus 2 Tuesday, Homemade Tuesdays, & Monday’s Musings.

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Filed Under: Keeping the Home Tagged With: organized living




Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rosie says

    June 25, 2014 at 8:15 am

    These look very helpful. I especially like the kids’ version. It will help my boys take responsibility for their own packing before trips!

    • Shannon says

      June 25, 2014 at 8:17 am

      I hope you get lots of use out of them!

  2. Mandee Thomas says

    June 25, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    Stopping by from the Wow Me Wednesday Link Up. Very useful printable 😀 If you are on Google Plus, I would LOVE for you to share it with my “Free Printables” Community! goo.gl/RPWDbD

    • Shannon says

      June 27, 2014 at 7:57 am

      Thanks for the info, Mandee.

  3. Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says

    June 27, 2014 at 7:53 am

    Love this…thank you! Pinned and can’t wait to use it! We just got back from a week’s vacation at the beach with three kids, and my head was spinning trying to keep track of all of my packing needs. This will come in very handy next time!

    • Shannon says

      June 27, 2014 at 7:56 am

      Hi Blair,
      How fun and chaotic! 🙂
      I hope this helps you next time.

  4. Tamara says

    March 23, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    This will be my second time using both lists to help our family pack for a vacation. When my husband and I started discussing packing for this upcoming trip he asked if I had the same list we used last time. Thank you for posting these. They are so helpful :).

    • Shannon says

      March 23, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      Hi Tamara,
      That’s wonderful! Thank you for letting me know that they’ve helped you.
      Have safe, fun travels!

Trackbacks

  1. Job Chart for Kids, Simplify Vacation with a Packing List says:
    June 27, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    […] Simplify Vacation Preparation with a Packing List (free editable printable) ~ @ Of the Hearth […]

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