The following is a guest post from regular contributor, Rachel at Useful Beautiful Home.
I’ve had packing suitcases on the brain lately. I wrote about neck ties, bracelets, and now am sharing one more travel organizing post that pertains to children’s clothing.
I’m always searching for ways to guide independence in children and packing the suitcase is a great way to continue those attempts. Last summer I shared my FREE picture packing list for children (HERE). In that post, it explains how I let my daughter select items for vacation by following a picture list (beware, it’s an over-stuffed post – sorry!). She spreads the outfits out on her bed along with coordinating headbands, socks, etc.
After she makes her choices, I help fit them into the suitcase by making kid-friendly bundles. That gives me opportunity to preview her selections and perhaps edit a thing or two if needed. 😉
These kid-friendly clothing bundles are little “packages” made out of her clothing. For example, this two piece outfit below (and several others like it) went with us on vacation this year.
To make a bundle, I fold the bottoms (whether shorts, a skirt, or pants) in half at the seam and fold the shirt in half with the front facing out, like the picture below. A pair of pants would have to be folded again to mimic the length of a pair of shorts.
Then, flip the shirt over with the front side facing down and place the shorts/skirt/pants to one side.
Finally, fold the side of the shirt over top of the bottoms.
I purposely bundle the clothes with the shirts facing out because often kid’s clothing has some type of logo or picture on the front. Right now, my daughter wears clothes that she enjoys based on a picture, glitter, or embellishment of some kind. Placing those features on the outside helps her easily visualize an outfit without pawing through and unfolding clothes to locate whatever she’s looking for.
Admittedly, this may not be the most compact form of packing but it’s condensed tightly enough for us. I usually roll my clothes, which saves space, and then can fit her “packages” in my suitcase with room to spare.
More suggestions; you could always tuck undergarments inside each clothing bundle too. I don’t because experience has told me that accidents happen and we may need more than one pair for the day. 😉 Instead, I make one pile for the week in an outside pocket of the suitcase.
As for her little girl accessories, basically just hair ties & headbands, I toss those in one large reusable zip-top baggie. The clear nature of the bag makes it easy to pick a headband for the day while keeping the other pieces contained.
It really takes nothing extra for me to fold these little bundles and pile them in the suitcase. Not necessarily everything gets bundled; pajamas, undies, etc. all find homes wherever makes sense to me. Most of all, using this method simplifies our vacation when it comes to my daughter choosing/unpacking her outfits. Sometimes it’s helpful to see how other people do things differently and then find what works best for you.
I know of another blogger who packaged her child’s clothing into individual zip-top baggies for their vacation. I mean her no disrespect, but that simply didn’t work for me. I’m too lazy to stuff outfits and accessories into individual bags, so my bundle method works a little faster for me. Perhaps for you, something else may work better. Organization is such an individualized experience and I’m happy to share my methods as well as glean from others! Have an excellent weekend!
In the professional world, I’m a nurse by trade. But, around our house, I’m known as Mommy to our young daughter. My two worlds collided and began shaping into a blog. Useful Beautiful Home represents the hours I’ve dedicated to managing my household as efficiently as possible. I offer you motivation to keep your home healthy, organized, and welcoming. My goal is to share what I’ve implemented in my home to inspire you with fresh ideas and to encourage you to keep up the good work in yours! Learn more about me HERE or visit me at UsefulBeautifulHome.com.
Linking up: Your Homebased Mom, Skip to My Lou, Home Stories A to Z, The 36th Avenue, Design Dining and Diapers
Marcia Francois says
I do the ziplocs too BUT I love your idea of having the front of the t-shirt be visible to the child 🙂
Great idea!
Rachel says
This is basically how I organise pajamas sets all the time, and outfits to take out as spares for our messy just turned 4 Yr old. I don’t know why I’ve never thought to do it packing for a trip.
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
Hi Laura, I just stopped by to let you know that I nominated you for Most Inspiring Blog award. You can see the post at http://adayinthelifeonthefarm.blogspot.com/2014/07/wow-i-am-honored.html. Thanks for being an inspiration to me.
Elizabeth Kane says
A great idea. It certainly saves time by putting the outfits in bundles and ensures that nothing is left behind 🙂
Jami says
I do something similar, but put the outfits in each child’s own packing cube with socks, Barretts, and extra underwear. this way, I have the total appropriate “outfit” right where I need it and extra emergency underwear within reach to stuff in my purse after getting dressed. in addition, for after their nightly bath, I put both child’s pajamas and underwear for all nights in a third packing cube I leave near the bath tub. i find the best way to pack is what will be most convenient at my destination.