Packing Master Class

Packing Master Class

Packing can be one of the most intimidating parts of traveling—especially with kids. The dread of forgetting something obvious always lingers in the back of your mind. You start with a mental list, add twenty “must-have” items, realize you’re forgetting things already, and then scramble to make a physical list that somehow still misses half of what you need.

Learn how I pack for a 10-day November trip to Italy with a family of five—fitting everything into just two suitcases (yes, including all the diapers and wipes!). This minimalist packing method keeps travel stress-free and most importantly leaves hands available to push the stroller and manage the luggage when we land and are left with the task of transporting everything to where we will be staying. (Which as our family grows the limited luggage quantity becomes even more crucial as more bodies take up more seats if vehicles are required.)

I’ll never forget the first time I packed for myself. I was about thirteen, headed to Hawaii, and determined to impress. My all too trusting parents let me choose my own suitcase and everything in it so of course I went for the biggest one we owned and filled it to capacity. I packed half my wardrobe complete with my entire Lip Smackers collection (because obviously one flavor wasn’t enough and even if it was, how could I choose?). Jeans, dresses, sweats (again plural because you could get cold in tropical Hawaii and who uses an available washing machine on vacation)—you name it, I squeezed it in. It felt like a personal victory of suitcase Tetris. I was the winner!

Once we arrived, reality hit. It was so frustrating to dig through the unorganized mess called my suitcase. I could never find what I needed, all the extra stuff was constantly in my way. And forget about keeping the room clean. Another wave of irritation hit when we got home and it came time to unpack. I was mortified that I had used less than a quarter of what I brought! To make matters worse, the dirty clothes were mixed in with clean clothes and everything smelled like “suitcase”. And I was the lucky winner that got to clean it all up. This was definitely NOT winning. That trip taught me something important: maximalist packing wasn’t for me. From then on, I challenged myself to pack only what I truly needed.

Over time, I got better at thinking through what to bring, but I still had those frustrating “how did I forget socks?” moments. Once I started traveling with kids, forgetting essentials wasn’t just inconvenient—it was a disaster waiting to happen. That’s when I finally created a system that changed everything!

Enter my Packing Master Sheet.

It started as a simple Excel spreadsheet but has now become my foolproof packing method. Gone are the days of frantically making the packing list. I consult my list for every outing whether it’s a one night stay at my parents’, a week at the beach or a holiday cabin getaway for the weekend. Everything I could possibly need is there. And best of all—no more forgotten toothbrushes. Hallelujah!

How it works:

To begin, each family member has their own section on the Packing Master Sheet with every possible clothing item listed—regardless of season or destination. From baseball caps and beanies to sandals and rain boots, and everything in between- it’s all there. (This is the one and only time maximalist thinking is allowed— no cleanup required!) Let that little “but what if” voice take you down all the scenarios of things you could need and make the list.

Beyond clothing, the master list includes categories for documents, electronics, toiletries, medications, baby items, diaper bag/carry-on, seasonal and miscellaneous essentials. The same “list it all” mindset applies in these departments. If you use it or are in doubt, jot it down.

Here’s the key: the list is never finished. It is always changing and growing. After every trip, I review and update it. As our family grows, it grows. As our needs change the list takes that into consideration. This turns into a living document that adapts with our travel style and family needs.

The magic is that you don’t have to pack everything on the list—you just have to consider everything on the list. That way, you’re never blindsided by an “Oh no, I forgot…” moment again. Instead, you’re making intentional choices about what to bring and what to leave behind. Every item for every person is carefully evaluated every time.

On any outing, I keep my master packing list handy. If I ever catch myself thinking:

• “I’m missing (blank).”
  

• “I wish I had (blank).”
  

• “It would be easier if I had (blank).”
  

• “I’d have more peace of mind if I packed (blank).” (especially when it comes to kids’ medicine!)

—I make a quick note to add that item to my list. That simple habit is how my packing system stays foolproof and how I was finally able to stop forgetting the little—but oh-so-important—things.

The beauty of this system is that my list is tailor-made for my family. It takes minimal upkeep at this point but makes packing at a moment’s notice effortless. While my version won’t be a perfect fit for every family, it’s easy to adapt. You can keep it broad with entries like “makeup” or go ultra-detailed with “mascara, eyeliner, bronzer, etc” so you can check off each item one by one and nothing slip through the cracks while packing. You choose!

And here’s my favorite part: once you’ve built your master list, it’s the only list you’ll ever need. No more searching for a “summer beach trip packing list” or a “fall in Rome packing list.” Everything is already there. You just take into consideration the season, weather, trip length, travel, and activities—and voilà your list materializes before your eyes. Magic.

The actual packing process couldn’t be easier. First, consult your list and eliminate everything you don’t need by blacking it out. Headed to a waterpark? Goodbye, winter gear! With one click it’s out of sight, out of mind—yet still considered and mindfully set aside.

The only real challenge is deciding how much of each item to bring. My go-to hack? Layering. Instead of lugging a bulky winter coat, I’ll pack a fleece and a light windbreaker to pair. Worn together, they offer the same warmth, take up far less space, and can be worn separately when the weather shifts. Of course, if you’re cruising Antarctica, the big coat makes the cut—but most of the time, layers win.

When it comes to kids’ clothes, I always start by pulling out any must-have favorites. The shirt your child loves or the dress you want in photos? Those come first. Then I fill in the rest of the wardrobe around them. Not only does this keep everyone happy, but it ensures the memories you capture look and feel like “you.”

Once quantities are set, packing is simple: as each item goes into the pile or cube, highlight it in any color other than black. You get to see what has been carefully tucked in somewhere and everything left in white becomes your visual cue that it’s not packed yet.

That’s it—simple, streamlined, stress-free. Everything thoughtfully considered, nothing forgotten.

A few additional large-family packing must-haves: packing cubes (plus one extra), a laundry bag, and a stay with a washer.

I refuse to relive my 13-year-old packing nightmare where everything ended up tangled together in one giant mess. With packing cubes, everything has a place and stays in its place. You know exactly where to find what you need, and your suitcase won’t look like a tornado blew through the moment you pull something out. Added bonus: your hotel room stays tidier too. For a large family, this little bit of organization is a total game-changer.

I also like to add one extra packing cube after everything else is packed. That cube becomes the spot for “worn but not dirty” items—like the kids’ T-shirt they wore for half a day after spilling lunch on the previous one. It keeps clean clothes smelling fresh and makes it easier to re-wear lightly used items.

A laundry bag is another must-have. Everyone knows exactly where to toss dirty clothes, and nothing gets misplaced. And finally, if you’re traveling light with kids, access to a washing machine is essential. Messes are inevitable, and while you can wash things in a sink, I much prefer the ease of tossing a load into a washer. And with a laundry bag at the ready, you don’t have to go searching for all the dirty items before starting a load.

Quick Tips

• A well-loved, maintained packing list is a lifesaver.
  

• Make laundry day fall right before packing day so all favorites are clean and ready.
  

• A washing machine is key when traveling light with littles.
  

• Start packing by pulling out must-have clothing items first, then fill in the gaps.

• I never pack fewer than 4–5 tops and bottoms (unless our trip is under four days), and I rarely pack more than 5 of each—even for longer trips.