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Packing for a family trip can be stressful. Whether the trip is for a weekend or a full week, every family must have basic essentials within reach. I am currently planing a short weekend trip to Florida. Although I’m not leaving the Gulf Coast area, I need to make sure I have certain items handy.
One thing on my mind is safety & emergency planning. I will be making this trip without my husband & children. While some might think this sort of trip would be liberating, for me it’s mostly about planning for the unknown.
I’ve created a short list of Travel Essentials every family must plan for.
Travel Essentials:
1. Emergency Tool Kit
All vehicle travelers must plan for an emergency, whether it be a break down or a flat tire. I like to carry a 12 pack of water for other emergency purposes, but having water handy can also assist with vehicle overheating.
2. Copies of Any Legal or Vehicle Documentation
If traveling Internationally, having additional copies of legal documents can help if any pertinent information becomes lost or stolen while traveling. I once had to have my insurance company fax me updated copies of my ID cards due to policy renewal being updated while I was on vacation. I went on vacation in between one 6 month period into another 6 month period and I had old documentation in my car at the time.
3. Pack for Weather Change
Nothing is worse than traveling in the Summer, only to find out your travel destination is currently experiencing a Cold Front! If your traveling to Louisiana, that is exactly what you will get. Cold one day-hot the next!! Make sure you bring light windbreakers & a few pant selection just in case.
Also, make sure you bring comfortable shoes during any trip. It may take up suitcase space, but you will regret walking all over a major city in cute spring sandals!
4. Restock the First Aid Kit
You may already have an amazing First Aid kit, but when was the last time you updated its contents? When I travel with my family, I always carry a backpack filled with essentials. The very day I think I will not be needing it, is the day a chaotic medical situation occurs. Don’t forget about your seasonal allergy medicines, insect repellant & sun supplies!
5. Travel with Emergency Hydration & Nutrition
Packing extra hydration or snacks is not just for the kids. There are times it can become a medical emergency. Blood sugar can drop or someone have have a coughing/choking episode. Having those essentials items can make a huge difference.
6. Mobile Device, GPS, Maps & Appropriate Chargers
Technology has revolutionized how we travel, but with modern technology also comes dependance on technology. Please don’t forget to bring a paper map for the area of your destination. These are great to have in the glove compartment just in case and are relatively inexpensive. Stopping at Travel Welcome Center is a great resource (as well as a perfect travel break) to pick up specific maps on destinations or attractions you may not be familiar with. Our smartphones now have map apps & traveling tool apps like mobile compass etc. but it is also important to teach our youth how to use a handheld compass or other tips that may be of use to them in the future.
Have you ever been in an emergency situation by yourself or with your family while traveling? what was 1 pprep item you used or had with you, that made a huge difference in your travels
Originally Published on Blogging, Babies & the Bayou on April 29, 2012
We also always have chewable pepto, Imodium and some other meds.
We always make sure to have the First Aid Kit. It never fails, someone always needs a bandaid!
Great tips. I just got hubby a portable battery for the car in case of emergencies. You just never know when you will need it. Plus we always keep some kind of beverage in the car and a change of clothes.
We always keep a first aid kit in our car. YOu can never be too prepared!
we travel and have all the things you mentioned–very good list–I’m a Girl Scout and you can’t be too prepared!! great summary
I wish I would have read number 3 before last summer! My family went to the beach and it was so cold and wind!! We all had to buy 30 dollar sweaters :(! And we were vacationing on a budget so $120 on sweatshirts took money away from other things we wanted.
Great tips. Sometimes we’re so exciting on going on a trip that we forget to be prepared for an emergency. Thanks for sharing. <3
xoxo
Marla
http://www.marlitaontherun.com
Excllent trips especially heading into road trip season!
great advice for summer travels coming soon. thanks
Not so much a travel emergency, but last summer I took a multi city trip with my brother and on the way home there were severe weather issues in one of the cities we had a layover in causing us to have to spend the extra night at the airport. I had packed extra underwear and extra clothes just in case and snacks which came in handy since all the food spots were closed over night.
great tips have fun
These are all smart tips for keeping in mind when traveling. For road trips, my family packs snacks, water, jackets or sweaters, and baby wipes to clean our hands.
Great list of travel essentials. Have a great time in FL!
Great tips. I am in the process of re-stocking our car with provisions. Seems we’ve depleted the snacks and drink supplies.
Great tips! Specially number 2!
these are some great tips!!
You ain’t just whistlin’ La Guantanamera with this one! Thanks to roadtrips I’m always carrying water and duct tape- snacks are of course a given. ; ) BB2U
My absolute must have is “travel insurance”. You just never know.
Many years ago whilst backpacking around Europe with my girlfriend. She got appendicitis. Who would have thought?
She was in hospital for a week in Rome. Her travel insurance company organised everything.