This post is sponsored by OshKosh B’Gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Use code “SPRING16” at checkout online for 25% off of your $30+ purchase. Click here for the in-store coupon!
If you have some fun spring or summer travel planned this year, this is the post for you! I’ve partnered with OshKosh (a brand I love and purchase from on the regular) to share with you some of my favorite ways to pack— whether it’s for a beach destination or road trip with family.
I’m completely type-A when it comes to packing and I like to have everything folded and organized into categories because it makes life so much easier when you arrive at your destination. I remember feeling a little overwhelmed when packing for our first trips with Harper, but these tricks helped a lot.
We haven’t traveled with both kids yet (OMG #holdme at the thought of that) but I have some great tips to share with you if you’re trying to make the most out of packing for your little ones!
1: P L A N O U T F I T S
This may seem tedious, but plan the outfits your child will wear (check the forecast in advance) so that you aren’t packing a ton of extra items you don’t need. Of course you want some backups for accidents and blowouts (if you have a child in diapers), but overall, it’s best to keep it simple. Think about the kinds of activities you’ll be doing— your daughter probably won’t need a ton of fancy dresses if you’re mostly going to be hitting the beach and playing outdoors. As tempting as it is to bring every favorite outfit, it’s less of a headache to bring outfits you know will get worn.
2: Z I P L O C K I T!
I never travel without Ziplock bags (I prefer the ones with the slide lock). I like the gallon bags for clothing and shoes. I divide items by category and then I roll everything and pack like items together. It makes unpacking at your destination easy, maximizes luggage space and best of all, the bags can be used to separate your dirty laundry from the rest of the stuff in your luggage (and they’re also great for stowing things like sunscreen, bug spray, a wet swimsuit, etc).
3: D O T H E R O L L
It sounds like an outdated dance move, but really it’s just a method of folding clothes that I find makes them pack nicely and reduces wrinkles. Plus, it makes it easy to see what you have.
colorblock espadrilles
4: G R O U P I N G
In addition to rolling items, I group everything by type. So all shorts and leggings go together, tops, underwear, socks, etc. When you get to your destination, simply unpack into drawers and keep items in your ziplock bags so it’s easy to find what you need. No more digging through your suitcase— it’s all there and you can see exactly what you have. I also like to pack outfits that are interchangeable. So one pair of shorts can work well with two or three different tops you pack. Mixing and matching saves room in your suitcase.
5: M I N I S U I T C A S E
Consider getting a mini suitcase or travel duffel for each child. Older kids can tote their own little luggage (get one with wheels!) and for younger babies it’s nice to have all of their stuff in one place versus mixed in with yours.
What are your favorite packing tips when traveling with little ones?
Below I’m sharing some recent purchases from OshKosh’s spring collection for Harper. I love all of the bright colors and patterns in this collection!
PJ set
bow tank | shorts
pineapple jumpsuit
striped dress 
smocked top | french terry shorts
To find an OshKosh store near you, click here.
Don’t forget to use code “SPRING16” at checkout for 25% off of your $30+ purchase. Click here for the in-store coupon!
Let’s be honest, this post is just photos of what I could potentially buy from the sponsor. This doesn’t actually help me pack for traveling with a child. With a child, I need things to entertain them while we travel, make sure they stay fed and hydrated, make sure they stay safe (sunscreen, etc), how to have a well-organized travel diaper bag. Photos of what cute clothes I can buy for only one gender from the company that is sponsoring you is not helpful. That’s what their website is for.
Hi Jessica! My post was related to packing clothing and shoes as to maximize space and organization. It was not meant to be a general travel tips post (like bringing toys for the plane, etc). I definitely wanted to showcase the new spring styles while also providing tips on how I pack clothes for trips to stay really organized.
I also fully believe in the miracles of ziploc bags. I use them for everything. And now that my oldest can get dressed by herself, I’ll pack outfits into ziploc bags complete with underwear and socks and sometimes shoes so all she has to do is grab a bag and put on her clothes. Then she’s ready to go in seconds to play with her grandpa or cousins!
Ziplock bags are awesome! I started using them for travel before we even had kids. It made packing so easy!
I swear by the rolling trick! It’s such a space saver! And I never ever travel without a few ziplock bags!
Evelina @ Fortunate House
Yes! Another zipock lover 🙂 I just find it makes it so easy to see what you have. And using them for dirty laundry is awesome too…and so your shoes don’t touch other things in your suitcase…I could go on and on! 🙂
This was sponsored post that had nothing to do with packing for a trip and everything to do with showing free clothes that you were given for Harper. There’s nothing wrong with showing the clothes, but let’s not pretend it’s about traveling with them…. How many trips have you even taken with a baby/small child?
I wanted to show the clothes as that was part of the post (and I did indicate it was sponsored at the very top of the post), but I also wanted to share tips on how to effectively pack luggage for trips. We have traveled to Canada when Harper was 12 months and then to the Bahamas when she was 18 months old. I am not claiming to be a travel expert, these are just tips that worked for us when I packed— in fact, I use many of these tips while packing my own luggage! Have a great day,
-Veronika
I love using zip lock bags!! Especially to corral all of my daughters much smaller items! And rolling is such a space saver! I usually pack a large plastic shopping bag or trash bag for dirty clothes though, I never though of just throwing them right back into the zip locks. Also, that pineapple jumper is darling!!!!
Oh that is a great idea too— the trash bag! Love that!
I can’t believe people are giving you a hard time about this post..when it clearly states RIGHT AT THE TOP that it is sponsored..don’t read it if you don’t want to, no one is forcing you!
The post was very general and light information, and it was not pretending to be something it was not, due to Veronika’s honesty on the sponsored nature of it.
Thank you for being up front with us. I love the blue & white stripe dress on Harper..very adorable. It’s obvious you love Osh Kosh clothes : )
Loving this blog. I’m too scared to travel with my 2.5 year old because he sleeps pretty well on his own nightly. I’m def going to use your ziplock and rolling tips. Love all your posts!!!
We travel all of the time with our three girls. I’d recommend packing each outfit in a ziploc bag rather than all shorts in one bag and shirts in another. I put the entires day outfit (undies and hair bow included) in one bag that way my girls just pull out a bag and dress themselves when we are at our destination. It’s so much easier.
Do you find that osh kosh clothes are sized the same as carters? Carters usually runs very small as their 3T fits more like 2T. Wonder if that’s the same for osh kosh.
I am finding that OshKosh runs slightly larger than carter’s and baby gap…Harper is wearing 4T in OshKosh but there’s a little room to grow in some of the items whereas with 4T from other stores the items are usually a perfect fit.
I too don’t understand why people are giving you a hard time about this travel post. Geez! I thought it was very helpful! I’m planning on taking a family vacay next month with my 3 kids under 5 yrs. old and will def use the packing tips. Also, the outfits you posted are so cute! I don’t really shop at Osh Kosh. I’m an old navy/gap/target shopper but I love these looks!
Thanks so much Ambire! I guess you just can’t please everyone 🙂 I only work with brands I truly love and have purchased from Osh Kosh numerous times on my own so it feels natural to partner with them for a post!