Help me pack light! Please!

[Loveliveexplore]

Sorry not really an AIBU - However I need your help and tips on packing light for a four day trip!

I have a 10kg check in suitcase for me and my two children, crazy I know.. with 3 hand luggage backpacks. Then for our return I've booked two 10kg check in suitcases as I know we will do shopping and need more of an allowance for the return.

So please any packing light tips will be appreciated. We will be staying somewhere with a washing machine.

What climate? What will you be doing? What type of accommodation?

If you have a washing machine, it's easy. Plan outfits for 4 days, do a wash on day 3. Anything like shoes, books, heavier jumpers go into hand luggage. Don't waste hand luggage on cutesy kids cases, but everyone gets a maximum handluggage-sized trolley or backpack.
Don't take stuff you don't need. Be critical and realistic. Obvs depends on the holiday, but we don't usually take toys (as we are typically doing activities on hols). Just some books, notebooks, pencils, UNO, deck of cards.

Obviously don’t know destination and climate, but generally- Choose a theme colour- say blue, and pack a capsule wardrobe of things that will mix and match with that and all go together for a variety of occasions. Do the same for your DC. Max 2 pairs of shoes plus the ones you wear on the plane, that work for all occasions. Wear your heaviest items on the plane. Pack nothing that requires it’s own shoes or can’t be worn with anything else.

We live abroad and are coming to the UK. Ryanair no longer allow you to have a hand luggage suitcase on board without paying extra, which is why I bought a 10kg check in. In hindsight I should of bought two. The kids are young so will have age appropriate sized back packs for their bits and bobs and I will have a decent sized one with my laptop and other bits. Im thinking one pair of shoes for me is enough I can just wear my Chelsea boots? Also has anyone tried the rolling method is it better than folding? Thanks for answers!

Make sure your travelling jacket has lots of pockets. Also check if the airline allows an additional airport shopping bag, buy a small thing and put something underneath it in that bag.

Thanks any more tips?

I travelled for 5 months in Asia & Europe with just hand luggage - there's one big trick, pack less, then remove half of what you've packed! And layer up, wearing your heaviest/bulkiest clothes when at the airport.

Forget shampoo/toothpaste/deodorant and buy when you're in the destination. I lived without make up or perfume.

I packed a camera with an extra lens, travel adaptor, first aid kit, notebook, pen, charger for phone, sarong/scarf, sandals, 2 trousers, 3 tops, 2 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of underwear and hand washed between wears.

When at airports I wore jeans, vest top, jumper, hoodie, denim jacket, baseball cap, put phone and passport, headphones, lip balm and tissues in my pockets and wore trainers.

I was budget travelling so I didn't care about 'nice' clothes though, I just looked casual scruffy 24/7. More difficult if you're needing to look nice or eating out while away and need your make up/nice clothes.

Now when I travel I pack double that just for a weekend away

Pick 2 or 3 colors then you can mix & match everything. I’ve done 2 weeks with just 12 items of clothing. Layers is a good thing too.

Perfect thank you ladies

4 days?!
Do you go running? That's the sort of reason I would need more than 1 set of footwear.

Sleepwear, travel outfit (includes any coat or large items and the only shoes you need to bring), + 2 spare outfits. Either wash or rewear an outfit before leaving. Repeat for the children.

I could probably manage on one travel outfit + one spare day wear outfit, and the sleepwear.

ps: check on the bag dimensions. Sometimes they are stricter on dimensions than on weight.

Coats with fleeces in which they can wear?

What do you need to do with the clothes? Go out anywhere? Muddy kids playgrounds?
Can you dry clothes???

I'd do: toiletries bought duty free or UK.
You: travel in your heaviest trousers, top, jumper and boots you can wear for everything. Pack 2 clean tops (wash on day 2, dry until day 3), one spare pair of trousers or a skirt. Underwear, sleepwear.
Kids: 2 full sets of clothes, plus a spare jumper. Sleepwear. Wash on day 2, dry day 3. One toy each. One book each.
Medicines, mini first aid kit, adapter.
Do you have access to a case to pack your 10kg of shopping??
If you dont need proper winter clothes at home, you can recycle the kids outgrown clothes at clothes banks and free up more shopping space.

I’m going away for a week over Christmas with two DC, no washing machine, and we only have hand luggage.

I’ll wear jeans, t shirt and a jumper/coat/boots and so will the DC. Two tops, two dresses, a swishy skirt, two pairs of tights and a pair of leggings in a backpack, plus a nightie and a light pair of ballet pump style shoes. I might squeeze in a microfibre towel or get something when we are there.

The DCs will basically have the same only more leggings/joggers and fewer dresses depending. Their clothes are much smaller though.

The idea being I’ll have six ‘tops’ with me and six ‘bottoms’ that can be worn in any combo. Tights can be washed out and dried quickly. My best tip has alway been get some cotton wool pads and soak them in your toiletries, and pop them in a little plastic bag. I do that for toner, make up remover, etc, a single pad loaded with your perfume will do for a week! I don’t take much in terms of toiletries and just use whatever shampoo etc is there.

This is what I advise for April in the U.K.
I’d also put micro fleece, wool jumper and long socks.
We also take swimming togs (no towel) and all the things you put in a daypack like charger, notebook, pocket dictionary.
Well under the Ryanair 10 kg limit.

Sorry, had to crop photo.

Your tips have been fabulous, thank you.

I have ordered a big camping backpack to be delivered to my parents house so will use that as second 10kg check in for the way back.

I will put all your tips to good use! 😁