Holidays should be fun as soon as you get to your destination. Hell, as soon as you get in the car it should start to feel like a holiday. So whether you’re going away on a road trip, headed camping or you’re off to Fiji, here are some simple travel hacks that have made our family’s trips all the more enjoyable.
Online grocery shopping for the win
Being organised with food is one of the best ways to make sure your holiday gets off to a good start. When you pull into a caravan park, hotel or rental house you know your kids are going to want to be fed, and you know their mood is going to be seriously affected if it’s not done properly. Yeah, you could travel with an Esky all ready to go but who has time/brainpower/boot space for that? Most grocery shops have a click and collect option now so if you use your travel time effectively, you can pull up at your destination’s local store, grab your groceries and be on your way without having to drag a buggered family around the shop. Winning.
Pack a few bin bags for dirty and wet stuff
It’s so simple but having somewhere separate for dirty or wet clothes makes managing everyone’s stuff so much easier, especially if your accommodation is small. Just bring a large bin bag and while you’re away, just chuck the dirty clothes in it. That way the kids know that everything that’s in their bags is fresh and when you get home you’re not washing clothes that haven’t been worn or having to do a bunch of unsettling sniff tests.
Soft toys instead of pillows
You know how your kids always want to bring the most insanely huge toys on holidays with them? My first (and normal reaction) is hell no, but… If you’re going on a road trip, just say yes and get them to use them instead of a pillow. I don’t know about you but my kids don’t end up sleeping on their pillows anyway and this way you have one less thing to worry about packing.
Pack a change in your carry on
This one isn’t just for holidays that include aeroplanes, but for those that do listen up. Luggage gets lost, all the time. Like – ALL THE TIME. So pack a change of clothes in your carry on (ones that can double as PJ’s) and whatever other stuff you need overnight. Other top picks for the carry-on? Well if you’re on a summer holiday; swimmers and whatever the kids need to enjoy the pool is key, that way you can start your relaxing before your bags arrive. This trick also works well for road trips. Nothing bad can come from being able to put the kids straight to bed or take them to the pool before unpacking. Literally nothing.
Powerboards are king
Most families have around seven thousand devices between them on any given day. So it’s a good idea to pack a powerboard. Apart from the obvious convenience, this will also help you to keep track of where all your devices are, rather than having them spread out all over your accommodation.
Old undies, what?
So this may not be the most glam of hacks, but most people’s kids have a few pairs of socks or undies that are ready for the bin. Take them on your holiday and chuck them after you wear them. Obviously, you don’t want the kids to be wearing gross old clothes when you’re living it up, but things like p.j’s that are beyond help, threadbare towels (if you’re camping) and anything you wear on the bottom layer if perfect for a wear and chuck situation.
Set your intention before you leave.
I know this probably sounds a bit woo-woo but if I know what it is I’m aiming to achieve from my holiday, I can relax and enjoy it more. I’m prone to both FOMO (fear of missing out) and decision fatigue so sometimes holidays can stress me out. (I know, right?) Now when I go away I always make sure to set an intention. Whether the aim is to really wind down, to try new things or to spoil the kids rotten – having clarity helps me achieve it.
