Practical packing notes · About 5 minutes
How to pack for a family trip,
one person and one bag at a time
Start with who is going, how many nights you will be away, whether laundry is practical and what you need within reach. This guide uses an example of two adults and one child away for three nights. Quantities are illustrative; adjust them for your family.
01
Set the boundaries before adding items
Write down travel dates, accommodation, activities and a realistic laundry plan. Count the outfit worn on departure. Decide on swimwear or warm layers from your activities and a forecast you check separately. Packing Done 1.0 does not provide online weather.
02
Count clothes by person, with spare items separately
Estimate changes before the next reliable laundry opportunity, add a small spare allowance, then subtract what is worn on departure. For example, four days requiring four everyday outfits, with one worn and one additional spare, means four outfits in the bag. Adjust a child’s spare items to their usual needs instead of copying an adult’s quantities.
03
Count shared items once
One tube of toothpaste, a compatible charging cable or a printed itinerary does not need to appear under every traveler. Give shared items one place in the list and assign a bag. Keep personal items such as toothbrushes and clothing separate.
On small screens, scroll the table sideways.
| Item group | How to count | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes and changes | Assign to each traveler | Main luggage; travel-day spares in a day bag |
| Toothpaste and toiletries | Separate shared and personal items | Toiletry pouch |
| Chargers and cables | Count after checking compatibility | Charging pouch; flag anything still in use |
| A child’s travel-day items | Use their actual care needs | An accessible day bag |
04
Separate travel-day needs before assigning suitcases
Keep water, tissues, suitable snacks, a change of clothes for a child and essential personal items on the travel-day list. Put items needed only at your accommodation in the main luggage. Name the toiletry and charging pouches so they are easy to find. Check your carrier’s own rules for restricted items and baggage; this list does not determine what is permitted or calculate allowances.
05
Check items only when they are in the bag
Separate “laid out” from “packed”. Update progress when the item is in its assigned bag. Mark a toothbrush, charger or bedtime item still in use for a last-minute check, instead of ticking it off just to finish the list.
06
Make one small adjustment after returning
Keep what you used and adjust quantities that were too high or too low. Archive the trip or save a useful template. On the next trip, check dates, activities and children’s changing needs again instead of treating the old list as a fixed answer.
Five things to check at the door
- Travel documents and booking details are accessible
- Devices and chargers in use are now packed
- Toiletries and bedtime items are in their bags
- Travel-day essentials are easy to reach
- Keys and the last items used at home are with you
This is a general organizing example. Add the needs specific to your family.
Packing Done brings this approach to one iPhone: view by people and bags, flag last-minute items and reuse a previous trip. Version 1.0 is not yet released. Explore the app →