If there’s one thing I’ve learnt after years of travelling with children, it’s that packing smarter beats packing more every single time.
As a family of seven, we simply can’t afford to overpack. Between baby essentials, children’s clothes, swimwear, shoes, toiletries and all those little “just in case” items, luggage space fills up incredibly quickly. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few packing tricks that make getting ready for a family holiday so much easier, and they help us avoid dragging multiple heavy suitcases through the airport too!
Whether you’re heading abroad for some sunshine or planning a UK staycation this summer, these are the packing hacks I genuinely swear by.
1. Choose Clothes That Work Harder
One of my biggest packing tips is to choose pieces that can be worn in multiple ways.
Rather than packing lots of separate outfits, I always look for versatile pieces that can take me from daytime exploring to dinner in the evening with just a few simple changes.
And that’s why I LOVE a co ord set. Worn together, it’s an effortless outfit that looks put together with minimal effort – perfect for holiday evenings. Then, the pieces can be worn separately throughout the week. Pair the shorts with a simple white T-shirt for sightseeing, throw the shirt over swimwear for beach days, or wear it with linen trousers on cooler evenings.
Instead of packing four or five different outfits, one co ord can easily create several completely different looks, saving both space and weight in your suitcase.
2. Make Your Cabin Bag Work Smarter
As a mum, my cabin bag is probably the most important bag I pack.
It isn’t just for travel documents – it becomes our survival kit for the journey!
Mine always tends to contain:
- Passports and travel documents
- Phone chargers and power bank
- Snacks (lots of snacks!)
- Refillable water bottles
- Baby essentials including nappies, wipes and a spare outfit
- Plus any medication we might need
Having everything organised and easy to reach makes travelling with little ones so much less stressful. I also like to leave a little extra room in my cabin bag so I have somewhere to keep anything we inevitably end up buying in the airport before boarding.
3. Roll Your Clothes Instead of Folding
This is probably the oldest packing trick in the book, but it really does work.
Rolling clothes instead of folding them saves an incredible amount of space, especially for T-shirts, shorts, dresses and swimwear. I also find that clothes come out with fewer creases, meaning less ironing once we arrive – nobody wants to be ironing on holiday!
When you’re packing for a large family, every inch of suitcase space counts, and rolling clothes has become part of our packing routine every single holiday.
4. Pack Outfits, Not Individual Items
Years ago I used to throw lots of tops, shorts and dresses into a suitcase for the kids and just hope for the best.
Now I pack complete outfits – yes that includes underwear.
I’ll think about what we’re doing each day and pack accordingly, making sure every outfit already has matching shoes and accessories.
It means nobody spends precious holiday time wondering what to wear, and it also stops me packing unnecessary extras “just in case.”
5. Wear Your Bulkiest Clothes While Travelling
If you’re taking trainers, a hoodie or a denim jacket, wear them on the journey instead of packing them.
It instantly creates extra room in your suitcase, and airports and aeroplanes can often be much cooler than your holiday destination anyway.
It’s one of those simple tricks that makes a surprising difference, especially if you’re travelling with cabin luggage only.
6. Always Leave Some Space for the Journey Home
I used to pack every suitcase to bursting before we’d even left home.
Now I always leave a little room.
Whether it’s souvenirs for the children, gifts for family, local treats or a little holiday shopping, we always seem to come home with more than we left with!
Having some spare space saves the last-minute panic of trying to squeeze everything back into the suitcase on the final morning.
7. Pack an Emergency Outfit in Your Cabin Bag
This is a lesson I’ve learnt the hard way!
Lost luggage is rare, but delays can happen, and little accidents are almost guaranteed when travelling with young children.
I always pack one complete spare outfit in my cabin bag for the baby and another lightweight outfit for myself. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination after a long journey only to realise somebody has spilt a drink, had a nappy leak or been sick.
Having a fresh change of clothes easily accessible gives me complete peace of mind and has rescued us more than once!
Packing for a family holiday doesn’t have to be stressful. I’ve found that a little planning goes a long way, and choosing versatile clothing and practical luggage can make travelling feel so much easier.
Rather than packing more, I now focus on packing smarter. Choosing pieces that work in multiple ways, keeping my cabin bag organised and making every item earn its place in the suitcase means we can travel lighter without feeling like we’ve forgotten anything.
Now all that’s left to do is count down the days until take-off!
