Packing Mistakes We’ve Already Made (Before Even Leaving for Our Big Trip)
We haven’t even left yet but after multiple test packs, toddler protests, and one backpack-related meltdown, we’ve already learned exactly how not to pack for long-term family travel.
If you’re Googling “packing mistakes to avoid with kids” you’re probably staring at a suitcase right now, wondering how it’s already full when the trip hasn’t even started. We’ve been there. We’re still there.
We’re a family of four preparing for long-term travel through South America, and in the process of “just testing our gear,” we’ve already made most of the classic packing mistakes and invented a few new ones.
From overpacking “just in case” outfits to forgetting comfort items our kids actually like, this is the real stuff we’re learning before we even leave. No perfect flat lays. No influencer hacks. Just actual chaos from the prep trenches and what we’re doing differently now.
So if you’re trying to figure out how to pack smarter, lighter, and with less family meltdown potential, here’s what not to do.
We’re building this while prepping for a year on the road with two kids. If you want to support the journey even just a little, here’s how.
This is the part nobody talks about.
You decide to take your family on a big, bold, slightly overwhelming adventure, in our case, long-term travel through South America and suddenly your house becomes one giant trial run. The kids are tripping over backpacks. You’re Googling “best travel towel” at midnight. And the pile of “maybe” gear threatens to overtake the hallway.
We’re not experts. But we are learning and fast. Here are the packing mistakes we’ve already made before stepping foot on a plane… so you don’t have to.
1. Overpacking for the Kids “Just in Case”
We told ourselves we were being sensible. Practical, even.
Then we realised we’d packed:
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12 pairs of socks for a 10-day trip
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Two raincoats per child (yes, really)
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A “backup” swimsuit for each kid, in case the first one… disintegrates or gets lost?
Turns out, “just in case” usually means “just in the way.”
What We’re Doing Instead:
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Capsule wardrobe: 4–5 tops, 2–3 bottoms, 1 jumper, 1 hoodie, 1 rain layer
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One swimsuit each. If it’s wet, they can wear shorts.
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Colour-coded compression cubes: one per person. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t come.
✅ Packing Cubes we have bought
✅ Kids Poncho (Yes we couldn’t resist)
We also now pack with the assumption that laundry will be done every 5–7 days. If not? That’s what sinks and hotel soap are for.
@travelventurefour Packing for kids should be an Olympic sport. Here’s me trying to fit an entire universe into one little Trunki. We’re keeping it simple for our upcoming adventure, but man—those toys, books, and random “essentials” add up fast 😅 Any packing hacks I should know about before we hit the road long-term? #familytravel #dadlife #fyp #travellingwithkids #traveltiktok #familyadventure #travelfamily ♬ All The Small Things - blink-182
2. Packing “Smart” Clothes Our Kids Hate Wearing
You know the vibe: breathable, neutral-toned, wrinkle-resistant outfits that look great on Instagram… and get instantly rejected by your child who wants to wear their Minecraft hoodie in 30°C heat.
What We Got Wrong:
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Trousers they refused to put on
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Sandals they found “scratchy”
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A travel shirt described (accurately) as “itchy nonsense”
What Helped:
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Letting each kid choose a “go-to” outfit they love
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Testing new clothes at home for at least a week
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Prioritising soft fabrics and comfort over style
✅ Soft Merino Layers for Kids
✅ Kids’ Favourite Shoes (Our son loves these)
Pro tip: if it’s not already in the weekly rotation, it probably shouldn’t go in the bag.
3. Skipping an Organised System, and Instantly Regretting It
Our first attempt at packing? Total chaos.
Everything got shoved in one big suitcase “just to test fit.”
What happened:
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Toothbrushes vanished
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Snacks leaked
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We found socks in a shoe… three days later
The Fix:
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One packing cube per person
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One clear pouch for tech and chargers
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Ziploc or Stasher bags for snacks, meds, and tiny chaos-makers
✅ Ziplock bags (Basic and boring but needed)
✅ Laundry travel bags
We also added a simple rule: “nothing loose”. If it’s not in a cube, it gets forgotten.
4. Not Testing Bags While Actually Walking With Them
We’ve had the same backpacks since our pre-kid travel days, solid, slightly battered, and definitely older than our children. They’re 15+ years old and have seen their share of hostels, hikes, and duct-tape repairs.
We might still use them. But we’re also testing out a few new options, just in case the old gear doesn’t cut it for family travel.
Because once you load up a bag with snacks, raincoats, and emergency plushies, the game changes.
How We’re Testing Now:
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Trying full trial runs: backpacks packed, on foot, stairs included
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Watching how the kids carry their own bags (and for how long before the complaints start)
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Comparing new lightweight models vs. our trusted (but tired) originals
✅ Travel Backpack
✅ Kids backpack (Potential winner)
Bonus: We now rate bags by how easily you can swing them on one-handed while holding a snack and a child’s shoe.
5. Filling Every Pocket — and Leaving No Space for Surprises
Our first pack was so efficient… it left zero room for flexibility.
Then we remembered: we’ll be buying things.
Snacks. Souvenirs. Possibly another headlamp we forgot.
And there’s always a stuffed animal or plastic dinosaur that mysteriously appears at the worst moment.
What We’re Doing Now:
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Leave 10–15% of every bag empty
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Carry one flat-pack tote in every bag
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Build in “surprise capacity” not just for shopping, but for sanity
Things We Almost Forgot Completely
These didn’t make it into the first packing draft but now they’re top of our list:
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Child-sized headphones
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Nightlight / torch for unfamiliar accommodation
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Refillable water bottles (with name tags!)
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Motion sickness tablets — for everyone
And honestly? A few extra plastic bags. You’ll always need them.
Final Packing Advice (From the Trenches)
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Don’t pack “just in case” — pack for 80% of reality, not 20% of anxiety.
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Run a “mock travel day” at home with the full setup.
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Bring fewer clothes, more chargers.
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Your kids don’t need 3 bedtime books each. Just trust us.
Grab the Family Packing Checklist
We’ve turned all these lessons into one clear, printable Family Packing Checklist built by a real family (not an influencer flat lay).
Want to avoid these mistakes and pack faster?
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Planning your own family trip soon?
Whether you’re packing for 10 days or 10 months, this list will save you from at least a few meltdowns, yours and theirs.
✔️ Bookmark it
✔️ Share it with another stressed parent
✔️ Or circle the mistake you’ve already made (we probably did too)
