There’s something magical about planning a family holiday abroad — the dreamy anticipation, the maps spread out across the dining table, little fingers pointing excitedly to oceans and mountains. But if you’re anything like me, that magic can quickly dissolve into the logistical puzzle of packing. And packing for four (or more)? Well, let’s just say it’s a fine dance between “prepared for anything” and “how many suitcases can one push through customs with a stroller in tow?”
Over the years, our family’s approach to travel has shifted. We’ve embraced slower journeys, intentional moments, and yes — lighter, more sustainable packing. Because packing light doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or preparedness. It means choosing with care, thinking ahead, and perhaps even imbuing the suitcase with a little whisper of mindfulness. Here’s how we do it at Casa Delacour — and how you can too.
Reframing the Packing Mindset
First things first: let go of the “what ifs.” I used to pack as though my toddler might need an astronaut suit at the beach, or that the baby would suddenly decide to reject nappies in favour of organic cotton underwear. Overpacking, as it turns out, is often a symptom of parental anxiety (which, yes, still sneaks in despite our best centring breaths).
Packing light starts in the mind. Instead of packing for emergencies, pack for ease. Instead of every possibility, pack for your priorities. Trust in your resourcefulness — and that local shops exist in almost every corner of the world.
Write, Review, Revise – The Sustainable Packing List
A good list is your best packing companion. The secret? Craft it early. Not the night before. Bonus points if it lives in the notes app on your phone and evolves trip after trip.
We break ours down into categories:
- Clothing (per person, per activity — beachwear, sightseeing, sleep)
- Toiletries (minimal, travel-size, and plastic-free where possible)
- Health & Safety (natural sunscreen, a mini first-aid kit, reusable masks if needed)
- Entertainment (books, sketchpads, toys — compact, open-ended ones win every time)
- On-the-go essentials (snacks, reusable water bottles, baby carrier)
Once the list is written, go over it again. Remove duplicates. Ask: “Will we really use this?” If the answer’s a shrug, it stays home. And make it fun — let the kids select three “treasures” they’d like to pack. Giving them a say can reduce pre-trip nerves and avoids sneaky smuggled bags of marbles (yes, we’ve been there).
The Capsule Wardrobe – Not Just for Grown-ups
Our number one packing trick? Capsule wardrobes — for everyone, not just Mum. Think neutrals with a few joyful pops of colour, layers that mix and match, clothes that truly earn their space in the suitcase.
For the little ones — especially those who turn into sand-sprinkled whirlwinds — practicality matters. We lean into:
- Organic cotton basics (they breathe, wash well, and are kind to sensitive skin)
- Multi-use pieces (a tunic that doubles as a dress or sleepwear? Yes, please)
- A foldable sunhat and a lightweight waterproof jacket
And shoes? One comfy pair for walking and one pair for water-based adventures is usually plenty.
Travel-Friendly, Planet-Friendly Toiletries
Tiny travel-sized everything may feel convenient, but they often create unnecessary waste. We opt for:
- Shampoo bars and conditioner bars — they last forever and won’t leak
- Reusable silicone travel bottles filled with our go-to almond oil or liquid soap
- Bamboo toothbrushes and zero-waste toothpaste tablets
- A small tin of shea butter — it doubles as lip balm, nappy cream, and dry skin fixer
Everything goes into a single wet bag that lives in the carry-on. That way, one emergency wipe-down at the airport doesn’t become a scene from a sitcom (though let’s be honest, sometimes it still does).
Plane Travel & Walking Light
If you’re flying, there’s a particular satisfaction in travelling carry-on only — yes, even with children. We’ve done it. It required precision, negotiation, and rolling clothes like sushi rolls, but the payoff? No baggage claim. No risk of lost luggage. Freedom.
Each child over two typically gets their own carry-on allowance. We use that space strategically:
- Soft backpacks with chest clips (easy to wear, even when enthusiasm wanes)
- A couple of curated toys or books — think sticker books, magnetic sets, or a pocket-sized sketchpad
- Healthy snacks in reusable containers — trail mix, dried fruit, crackers
- A reusable water bottle (empty through security, then refilled post-checkpoint)
Pro tip: a travel potty (we use a foldable silicone one) and a few cloth wipes in a wet bag have saved us more than once during unexpected delays.
Smart Tech and Slow Moments
While we try not to rely on screens for entertainment, we do pack an old tablet preloaded with offline maps, audiobooks, and calming stories (especially for longer flights or jetlagged early risers). But we also pack a tiny Bluetooth speaker — nothing fancy — to play our family playlist or a bit of white noise for easier sleeps in unfamiliar places.
Tech can assist without overtaking. The goal isn’t nonstop entertainment. It’s creating a rhythm gentle enough that moments of wonder — spotting birds outside a café, drawing in a travel journal, laughing at silly made-up games — have room to unfold.
Sustainable Extras Worth the Space
Some items might feel a bit “extra,” but prove themselves again and again:
- A foldable tote or mesh grocery bag (perfect for farmers’ markets and impromptu beach finds)
- A travel cutlery kit and collapsible bowls (excellent for picnics and hotel room breakfasts)
- A cloth sling or carrier — even for older toddlers, it’s a sanity-saving backup
- A small pack of laundry soap sheets and a universal sink plug for quick hotel room washes
None of these take up much room, and they allow you to skip disposable options on the go. Plus, there’s something sweetly centring about scrubbing ice cream stains out of a onesie under an unfamiliar moonlit sky.
When Less Creates More
Every item left behind is a little gift to yourself — lighter shoulders, freer hands, fewer choices to make in the sleepy dawn of your destination. It might sound counterintuitive, especially in a society that equates preparedness with abundance, but travelling light encourages us to live more deeply in each moment. To improvise, to share, to slow down.
And sustainability? It’s not just about swapping plastic straws for bamboo ones (though, tick). It’s about asking ourselves: “Do I really need this? Will this make our trip better, or just heavier?” It’s about teaching our children that contentment isn’t in the ‘stuff’ but in the shared giggles on a sun-warmed train seat, the joy of tasting an unfamiliar fruit, the victory dance when a single backpack zips shut with ease.
So, dear fellow travelling parent, may your bags be light, your hearts open, and your adventures rich with meaning — and may the only thing you carry too much of… be snacks.
