How to Pack a Kid's Suitcase Efficiently

I’m so excited I get to begin preparing for our next family trip! We are heading to the beautiful Disney Aulani resort. We have some really fun things planned for the whole family. The less fun part? How to pack kids suitcases efficiently is a commonly asked question and I have the answer for you!

Packing for yourself is one thing, but packing for kids is a whole other ballgame. If you don’t do it carefully, it seems like for every one thing you pack, there are three more you have to add, and before you know it, you’ve taken up all of your luggage space and then some, and somehow still forgotten something.

 

Thankfully, I have learned a few tips along the way. The first thing to change about your packing style is to do it by the day, not the item. This prevents both over and under packing by ensuring you have the exact amount of needed items.

First, lay a shirt flat.

Then,top with items you need for the day. Top with rolled socks and underwear (more on that shortly!) place folded bottoms in the center.

Then all you'll need to do is fold it three times to make a rectangular shape.

 

For each day you will have one rectangle.

I also love this method because it grants my kids a little bit of independence on our trip. Rather than having to start my morning by digging through each kid’s luggage to match up outfits, I can just grab the rolled outfit for the day and let my kids do the rest. In fact, so long as the outfits are all appropriate for the weather and the day’s activities, you can let your kid choose which outfit they would like as well. They could even help pick the outfit out when you pack. Choosing one’s own outfit is one way that young children build self-confidence, plus they begin to understand how the weather around them affects them.

Kids enjoy feeling like they have a hand in the structure of their day, and dressing themselves is a great way to start that. Even though they’re young, they’re already learning about organization, so seeing advance planning, and a clean, clutter-free way of keeping their things is a great lifelong habit to instill early on. And let’s be honest, if they don’t learn how to pack right now, I can see at least one of them trying to pack me up and bring me to college with them!

 

Giving children small tasks is an important step to building self-esteem. Allowing them to make their own choices can be empowering, and allowing them space to try things on their own (like putting on their clothes) teaches them to problem solve, and creates a sense of pride. Assigning chores can have the same effect. When it comes to your travel experience, an older sibling could be in charge of helping a younger one with their morning routine. Someone could be in charge of remembering to bring a certain item, or to turn off all the lights before you leave the room. Allowing for these small moments of responsibility mean a lot to your child, so you can bond together on your trip, and during the packing process.

 

Now for the most exciting part! How do you fold those underwear?! It’s easy.

First, Lay underwear flat, on a smooth surface, front side up.

Next, flip it around so  have the waistline of the underwear closest to you.

 

Fold up, about an inch. Fold again.

Keep folding, leaving enough of the top part unfolded.

 

Next, flip it over, so that underwear are back side up.

You're almost there! Fold left and right sides inward, so both ends are in the center.

Roll upward.

 

You should have a flap at the top of the roll. Pull it up and tuck underwear into itself.

I'm sure you've been rolling up socks this way already. It's a similar concept. That’s it! It is easier than it looks.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial. Arriving to your destination with a clean, organized suitcase is the best way to start a relaxing vacation. With these little tricks, you’ll find it’s so simple and easy to be on a roll yourself!

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Here's a video if you'd like to see it!