Last modified on March 18th, 2020 at 3:38 am

13 Actionable Tips to Travel Light Outdoors With Your Family

When you are traveling with your family, chances are it’s going to be a bit of a doozy. This is especially true if you are traveling with a bunch of kids with you. You are going to have to bring a lot of items, and they usually end up being bulky.

Packing light when traveling with family can seem like a pipe dream. However, this doesn’t have to be an unattainable dream for you.

With the 13 actionable ways listed below, you are sure to find it a lot easier to pack lighter than you would otherwise. On that note, read on below to find out how you can pack light.

Lay Everything Out First

Before you put everything you plan on packing into your bag, it is best that you lay everything out first. This gives you an overview of everything that you think you might need to pack with you for the trip.

By seeing everything at once, it can make you hesitate and assess whether or not you actually need these items.

It can also help if you group each item based on a specific category. For example, you group the clothes that you plan on wearing and matching together, the toiletries, your electronics, and so on.

This overview will help you decide and be more critical of all the items that you are bringing with you.

Choose the Best Luggage

One other way to pack light is by choosing the best luggage that will force you to do so.

If you have a roomy suitcase, you are going to think that you need to fill up that space with as much as you can. This will make it unnecessarily heavy and bulky for you.

Instead, what you should do is get yourself the appropriately sized bag. It should be not too roomy that it tempts you to bring anything and everything with you. At the same time, it should not be too small that you cannot bring all of your essentials in it.

Do Cross Packing

In case your package is too small, or if you do not want to overpack, then you should consider doing some cross-packing. Cross-packing is when you put some of your things inside other family members’ suitcase basically.

Cross-packing will help fit everything you need to bring with you in your luggage. At the same time, it can restrict your kids, for example from packing too much with them since the extra space they have in their luggage is occupied by other things.

Use Packing Cubes

Having organized luggage can make your job easier when it comes to packing and unpacking items from your suitcase. Aside from that, the organization can help you avoid overpacking as well.

One way to help you keep your luggage organized are packing cubes. Packing cubes are small bags that help you divide your items into specific categories. They are neat and can help you in case you want to take out something from your luggage. You do not have to rifle through everything just to get them.

Use Ziploc Bags

When it comes to organizing your items, you do not necessarily have to use packing cubes or small bags to organize everything or at the very least to keep them waterproof. All you need are thin and handy Ziploc bags.

With Ziploc bags, you can organize your toiletries in them while still being able to view the contents. You can also organize your electronics in there so in case the luggage gets wet, the contents of the Ziploc bag will not.

They are light as well, so it does not add any significant weight to your baggage.

Roll Your Clothes

One way to pack light and still be able to fit everything in your back is through how you fold your clothes. If you haphazardly leave them and push them down your baggage, they are not going to give you room. However, if instead, you rolled them, then it will make it easier for you to organize them.

You have to start with your bigger clothes and then work your way to the thinner ones. Not only are they efficient at creating more space in a small bag, but some people also say that it does not wrinkle their clothes as much.

Mix and Match Clothing

You do not have to bring your entire wardrobe with you to look cool and amazing when you are traveling. All you need are the fashion essentials and the art of mixing and matching.

Plain shirts are great for mixing and matching. Plus, they look good on anyone.

Encourage your family members to pick out only a few of their essential clothing pieces and then plan out their outfits in advance. That way, you do not end up carrying just a bunch of clothes in your luggage with you.

Follow the Golden Rule of Threes

If you really want to go all out with reducing the number of clothes that you bring with you, then all you need to do is follow the golden rule of threes.

Basically, this rule dictates that all you really need are three pieces of clothing for top and bottom. You need one for wearing, one for washing, and then one for drying.

This is a good rule to follow to help keep you packing light. However, do make sure you have access to a washer and dryer and have the time to do your laundry during the trip.

Pack a Pair of All-Purpose Sneakers

You do not need to change footwear too much during your travels. In fact, it is recommended that you only bring two with you. One footwear should be open-toed so that your feet can breathe. The other one can be an all-purpose sneaker.

This sneaker should be durable enough for long hikes in case that is the plan of the day, or it should be stylish enough that a leisurely trip around the area you are traveling in works.

Pack Travel Sized Toiletries

Since you are traveling with your family, you might think you might as well bring the bottles of shampoo, conditioner, a bunch of soap with you. However, these can really rack up weight in your luggage if you are not careful.

Just to be safe, pack travel-sized toiletries instead. There are plenty of containers that you can buy where you can transfer content into so that you are carrying travel-sized items.

Go for Microtechnology Devices

If you are traveling with kids, then you are probably going to want to bring something to entertain your kid during flights.

Bringing a DVD player with you can be too bulky, and books might be too impractical to bring.

With microtechnology devices, you can bring books, movies, as well as games with you anywhere you want. It helps keep your kids entertained without the hassle of carrying around bulky items in your carry-on.

Take Mini Toys

Again, if you are traveling with kids, it is still good to bring a small toy with you. Sometimes, you might end up with a gadget that is out of battery, and you need something for your kids to entertain themselves with.

A mini toy has that without being too heavy or bulky as well. Get your kids to help you decide what to bring with them. That way, they are a part of the packing process as well.

Do Laundry on the Trip

Being able to do laundry on the trip will save you from having to pack all sorts of clothes. You can even get away with bringing one pair of pants with you. Make sure that your lodging has the option to do laundry for your convenience.

Final Thoughts

Although it is challenging to pack light, even more so when you are traveling with your family, it does not mean you have to give up on the concept.

When you pack light, you also have a smoother time traveling, and you will be less fatigued carrying all that extra weight with you.

Hopefully, this list should help you be able to pack light. Make sure that you bring the essentials with you. If push comes to shove, prepare an excess baggage fee. However, if you do these actionable ways listed above, then it should be easier for you to avoid paying the fee.