Parents should always pack their children's clothes last when going on holiday.
Packing light is never easy, let alone when you have kids, but it's important to hit the bag weight limits on planes.
When getting your holiday items together making sure you've got everything you'll need is tricky, particularly when your little ones are trying to pick out their favourite clothes and toys for the plane.
While it may be tempting to get their section of the packing out of the way first, putting your children’s belongings into the suitcase first is a mistake according to the experts at M&S Kidswear, who have offered some pre-summer travel tips.
Leaving kids' clothes and toys to last can save you from the pesky task of having to pull everything out of the suitcase at once if they make a last minute decision or decide they need something before you head off.
“When packing, it’s good to be strategic, a key tip is to put your children’s beach towels and swimsuits right at the top of your case so the kids can dive straight into the pool after fractious journeys," the experts said.
"This avoids mess and chaos, saving parents from having to dig back through the suitcase not knowing where each item is.”
The M&S experts have offered some other great packing tips for families.
Invest in storage bags or packing cubes
Although this may be one of the more common tips to help maximise your luggage space, investing in is one that is worth following.
Using vacuum sealed bags is one the easiest ways to maximise space and is great for family holidays where you all share one big suitcase.
They also keep everyone’s clothes separated, so help to organise items whilst concealing those bulkier items.
The same goes for packing cubes, which can help to keep bulging suitcases organised and keep your clothing wrinkle-free, regardless of whether you prefer to roll or fold them.
Follow the three shoes rule
Shoes can be a trickier item to pack, as many people want multiple footwear options but are limited with luggage space.
The three shoes rule is great for families having to share luggage space, and follows one very simple step - simply put, only pack three pairs of shoes.
For a summer holiday, this typically means to pack a pair of and two pairs of sandals – one smart and one practical. It’s an easy but effective hack to prevent chunky shoes taking up the majority of your suitcase.
Roll and fold
Whether to roll or fold clothes is a classic debate amongst travellers, as both have their own advantages.
Rolling has replaced folding as the space-saving method du jour. However, it might not be wise to roll all your clothes.
As a rule of thumb, it's advised to fold clothes that are made from natural materials like cotton and linen.
Cotton and linen crease and wrinkle very easily so they benefit from being folded, and knitwear items tend to be chunky, meaning that they will take up more space in your suitcase if you try to roll them.
Wear your bulkier items on the plane
A key tip which is used for many holidays, can also be applied to those more tropical destinations.
Regardless of what kind of climate you’re travelling to, it’s best to travel in your bigger items such as lightweight and joggers - which are perfect for travelling in comfort too.
Involve your children in the packing process
Many parents avoid this last tip, but it can save headaches and tantrums in the long run.
It’s best to involve your children in the packing process of their items, as it will help to alleviate any dramas of forgetting to pack their favourite t-shirt.
Start with a list and ask your kids which items of clothing they’d like to bring, then you can prep and make sure these clothes aren’t lying about in the washing basket and are ready to be packed away.
