4 people, 10 days, 1 suitcase - what to pack?

[sparklins]

2 adults 2 kids (7&5).
We are going away for 10 nights and have 1 suitcase between us and also the plane carry ons.
There is a washing machine available where we are staying.
There will also be a couple of nights that call for a dressier get up so will probably need extra shoes.

It seems a bit tight for space as the last holiday (pre covid) we had 2 20kg bags and this time it's cut in half.

What are everyone's packing tips or perhaps lists when travelling with kids?

What is the size of the carry on? Do you mean a backpack or a small cabin suitcase?

I often do 2-3 week work trips (in every possible weather there is) with just hand luggage. By that I mean a small 10kg suitcase and my backpack. It includes specific work outfits (dressy, bulky, shouldn’t crease).

I’d pack - per person:

4 T-shirts
2 cardigans / jumpers to wear over T-shirts if cold
2 pairs of jeans / trousers / skirts and/or leggings
1 pair PJ’s
Bra, underwear, socks (enough for 5 days)
Fancy shoes
Fancy outfit
Swimwear and flip flops if needed

Then you wear another T shirt, extra warm layer and trousers during flight.

All of the above takes up half a cabin suitcase at most. Then you have space for toiletries, chargers, hair straighteners and what not.

As you have one big suitcase, chuck most of the above in there, evenly. Then your carry ons won’t be stuffed.

What you have is plenty of allowance. Rewear items that aren’t sweaty, wash by hand in an emergency (takes 30 seconds). Another good way of packing is put everything you think you’ll need on the bed. Then take away half of it and only pack the rest.

We did one hold case for our family of four for two weeks. We packed 6 outfits each and did 3 washes, which was fine (I packed a couple of extra for me but didn't need them!).

We used two of the carry on bags to pack luggage in, DH had a combination of his clothes and travel stuff in his and one carry on bag only with items for the flight. We wore the bulkiest items on the plane.

We managed 2 sets of swimming kit each (one set went in one of the carry on bags in case the hold luggage got lost), flip flops and swimming shoes in the luggage, and just wore our regular sandals on the flight. I also packed running kit and we fitted in some wine and food in the case on the way back, although we did pay for an extra hold bag on the way back to be able to do that.

If you're going somewhere hot then the clothes dry quite quickly. It should be easily doable if you're taking lightweight clothes and making use of the washing machine.

I'm down paying for another case.

Also to keep weight down just bring a sun cream in the bag for day one and you can buy shampoo, shower gel toothpaste etc when there.

When I go on holiday I like to have a choice of what to wear rather than be stuck wearing what's available only.

Just pay for another case.

Also, check the maximum carry on baggage size carefully. My holdall, which squashes down and wasn't quite full, fits quite a lot and was ok to use as cabin baggage. We had it totally full and used it as a hold item on the way back.

Thank you for the suggestions. Definitely NOT going to stock up at primark and then bin all the clothes 🙄
Should've mentioned in the OP but another luggage is not really an option we are travelling on a bit of a budget anyway and it is just to see family so there will be a washing machine there luckily.

Will definitely look at some of the packing cubes etc suggested.

Mortified that you'd even suggest this. Is it a joke?!

Could you post some of the items over and then post them back? Or put as much as you can on your bodies, live with it for the duration of the flight then strip off immediately after? Or borrow from family you are visiting?

Do you know how much it costs to send stuff abroad like this? If the OP's budget means she can't book another hold bag then this isn't going to work for her either.

We have done this - one 20kg bag for five people and five back packs for two weeks. We rented a car and there was only space for one large suitcase in the boot. Very doable especially if you have access to a washing machine. I roll all clothes and fit loads in. I start with the toiletries and suncream and then layout outfits for everyone. I usually have 7 tshirts and shorts, 2 swimming suits, 3 pjs and 1 good outfit for the DC. Have a lovely holiday OP.

roll tightly. don't fold. put socks inside shoes. vacuum pack if you can to make it even tighter.
borrow towels while there if you can, they're hellishly bulky.

take 1 week of underwear each.
take 3 casual and 2 dressier outfits you can mix/match each.

I think @ArborealArmadillo has nailed it.

A "normal schoolbag" rucksack has space for two or three days' clothes for the child as well as their entertainment stuff easy. We do London for a couple of nights this way, everyone carrying their own stuff. If you want jeans it's one pair only and you wear them. Shorts can last 2-3 days and skirts longer so it's mainly t shirts, pants and socks. One jumper each in rucksack and one in suitcase. All wear your chunkiest shoes to travel and try to take max 1 other pair each - kids will probably be fine with just flipflops. Toiletries are a good place to cut down. One washbag between the 4 of you with toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar of soap and a small bottle of shampoo. Tweezers, plasters, savlon, meds, chargers. Travel with disposable plastic 500ml bottles for water and refill (much lighter than vacuum bottles).

As you are staying with family you might be able to borrow towels, otherwise choose your thinnest.

Puzzle books such as logic problems or wordfits are old school but light, and keep older ones entertained for ages, as a change from phones. You can often get the same games on a free app (eg Nonagrams), but those tend to be trivially easy and don't hold their interest in the same way.

I hope that's a joke

Go & return home in the same clothes. Pack 3 outfits each, & 1 smart-ish outfit. Lycra’s good for packing, no creases & lightweight. If you struggle this time consider the coat as advertised on the Martin Lewis MSE site for next time. I used to pack all sorts, you just don’t need it.