5 Important Things You Should Never Forget to Bring in a Family Trip

If you’ve traveled a fair amount of family trips in your life, then you know exactly why you should pack well before a trip. Aside from the inconvenience of missing out essential items, you can also get stuck with unruly and impatient kids should you forget to bring things to keep them busy or full.

To save yourself from the stress and headache, here are 5 of the most important things you should pack for your next trip.

1. Car-friendly foods

If your family is going for a long trip out of town, it’s a good idea to pack some snacks the kids can enjoy while in the car. Make sure that they aren’t gooey, greasy or crumbly to save yourself from the stress of having to meticulously clean your car after the trip.

You can bring sandwiches or some fruits with you. You can make granola bars, cheese crackers and some vegetable chips, too.

2. First aid kit

You should already have a first aid kit in place in your car. If you haven’t set up one yet, make sure to do it before your actual trip. Ideally, you should have medications in your kit, like pain relievers and antihistamines. You should also pack antiseptic wipes and band aids just in case someone gets scratched or wounded in your vacation.

For your kids, make it a point to include bug repellent, sunburn creams and antibiotic ointments. The number of medicines should bring will depend on how long your vacation will be. Pack more if you’ll be staying there for several days.

3. Money

If you’ll be traveling to another country, make sure to exchange your money to its local currency before the trip. Having enough money is essential for family trips as it will give you the opportunity to explore the area and buy some local items for your family and friends at home.

Aside from having money in your wallet, it’s also a good idea to stash some cash in the secret compartment of your bag and some in your documents’ envelope. Hiding money is one good way to be assured that your family won’t be stranded in a foreign land with no cash.

4. Water

While traveling, make sure that you have enough water in the car to keep everyone hydrated. Dehydration can give you cramps and headaches during the trip. It can also make you extra irritable and easily exhausted.

If your family is a frequent traveler, it can help if you invest in reusable water bottles so that you can just get them refilled before a trip. In case it’s a last minute packing, be sure to drop by your local grocery store for some bottles of non-flavored water.

Bringing your own bottles may not sound that convenient but it’s one of the best ways you can protect your family during your trip, especially if you aren’t sure about the quality of water in your destination.

Aside from bringing your own water, you can also consider investing in portable water filtration systems. If this sounds too expensive, you can, at least, buy a stove top or standard electric kettle so you can boil water before consuming it. Stove top kettles aren’t only affordable but they are convenient to have, too.

5. Wet wipes

You’ll never realize how important wet wipes are during family trips until you’re stuck with messy and sticky kids. These wipes aren’t only great for cleaning mess but in disinfecting as well. Since a lot of wet wipes contain alcohol, keep in mind your kids’ sensitive skin when using it on their faces.