Mobile Mama

Whether you’re planning a summer trip to the grandparents, going on a much-needed beach vacation, or renting a cabin in the woods for winter break, the packing list doesn’t change very much from trip to trip.

Mom’s Travel Tales has lots of useful resources for on-the-go families including this one-week packing list. It’s a great list if you are flying and staying in a hotel.

Since it wasn’t perfect for the types of trips we go on a few times a year, I made my own. The main differences being: traveling with babies/toddlers, staying in a house or condo with limited or no maid service and linens, and traveling a long distance by car.

We leave later this week to stay in a beach condo for a week without linen service. Then later this summer, we’ll be staying in a mountain cabin with no maid service. The list below will be my guide for both trips.

7 to 10-DAY PACKING LIST:
PDF Checklist for printing

Bedding, linens, laundry, and cleaning

• One beach/pool towel/person
• One bath towel/person
• One wash cloth per person
• Sheets for beds
• Any blankets needed
• Personal pillows desired, night-time needs (pillow pets, dolls, blankies, pacifiers)
• Laundry detergent and fabric softener
• Pack-n-play or cots
• Any cleaning products needed if no maid service

Play time

• Water/beach play toys, skiing accessories for winter, dry pack for rafting/skiing
• Bikes, stroller, wagon, etc.
• Sunscreen, after-sun lotion, and insect repellant
• Water diapers, if needed
• Beach bag and beach cups for water in the sun
• Baby swing/bouncer/carrier
• Bible
• Books
• Other ________________________________

Clothing

• 2-3 pajamas/person
• 2-3 beach/playtime t-shirts/clothes needed
• 1-2 bathing suits/person and cover-ups or coats/outerwear for winter cabin
• 4-5 “going-out” outfits (mix and match so you can wear something “different” each day)
• 4-5 pairs of underwear/person
• Socks, shoes
• Other ___________________________________

Toiletries/Diapering

• Diapers, wipes, pull-ups, etc.
• Soap/Tear-free kids wash
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Shaving needs
• Hair barrettes, hair ties, etc.
• Hair dryer, straightener, brushes, combs, etc.
• Medicine pack/first aid
• Other toiletries ___________________________

Traveling

• Overnight bag (if stopping along the way)
• Car toys: Portable DVD and DVD’s, iPad, phone and iPad chargers
• Snacks, sippy cups, cooler, drinks
• Diaper bag
• Other __________________________________

Before you travel

• Stop mail for the duration of your trip at usps.com
• Clean up the house and finish any dishes in the sink
• All phone calls and emails returned; set “out of office” email
• Make sure all bills are paid that may be due while you are away or immediately after
• Lawn, pet, house care set up
• Make a list of meals while you’re away and take any dry goods/condiments with you
• Grocery list for when you arrive
• Other ___________________________________

A couple of my favorite photos from last year’s beach trip…