Pack These 5 Items on Every Family Vacation
Today I’m going to share 5 items that I pack on every family vacation, regardless of the destination. I’ve seen a lot of bloggers and YouTubers share their packing tips, but they only show you basic items (portable battery chargers, sunscreen, flip flops, etc.) that are commonly forgotten or overlooked. I’m going to share 5 essential items you’ve always been missing. Let’s get into it.
- Ziploc Bags
Ziploc bags are versatile and extremely easy to pack. If you are going to theme parks, they can be used to keep your phones and chargers dry, or to store your face mask while eating at a restaurant. These bags can also be used to keep your day bag organized, separating liquid items (like sunscreen, hand sanitizer) from your electronic items (chargers, camera batteries, SD cards). Plus, if you go to a gift shop or candy shop and purchase a sweet treat you can’t finish, you can store it for later! I recommend quart sized Ziploc bags, as they can fit most smartphones, and are small enough to fit in a small bag or purse. They also pack flat and light in a carry-on suitcase while traveling.
2. Chapstick
While chapstick is always on my packing list for my chronic dry lips, I also recommend bringing it on your family vacations for other unexpected uses. It can be used on zippers that you can’t quite get open, or for taking a ring off that may be stuck on your finger. If you’re walking around all day in new or uncomfortable shoes, and you feel a blister coming on, rub the chapstick on the effected area to prevent the blister from growing.
3. Sync Stoppers
For frequent travelers, you may have already heard about the dangers in public USB charging stations. These public charging stations in train stations and airports could have been tampered with, allowing bad actors to steal information from phones that get plugged in — and these are the perfect targets since they are high traffic areas. There are going to be times when your phone battery is getting low and you’ve already depleted your entire portable battery bank, so what do you need? A SyncStop (or PortaPow). This device prevents data transfers while your phone is charging, allowing you to use public charging stations without worry. And what’s great about it is its design; sleak and white, making it blend in with your standard Apple charging cables.
4. Filtered Water Bottle
Just as important as keeping your phone charged is keeping you and your family hydrated! This is why I recommend some sort of water filter system or a Brita water bottle, so that no matter where you are, you can fill your bottle with water and have it be safe for drinking. In theme parks, there may be only a few water fountains scattered around the park; and if your child is beet red and needing fluids, you can use your filtered bottle at any bathroom sink, and you can drink it right away. No more paying $4 or more for a single 16 ounce Dasani bottle. Plus, these also fit nicely in your carry-on luggage while traveling.
5. Prepaid Visa Card / Cash
Lastly, I recommend having a prepaid Visa card on vacations to make purchases faster and convenient. I do this for two reasons. First, in high traffic vacation spots, or in places where you’ll be making many souvenir purchases (like in theme parks), you can quickly pull this out of your pocket or keep it on a wrist band without having to keep opening your purse or wallet. The less chances you have for dropping or losing your items, the better. Second, in a new and unfamiliar place, you don’t know what dangers may be lurking; a card skimmer, a pickpocket, having a prepaid Visa stolen is much better than your Debit card connected to all your personal bank accounts.
