Packing Bathroom Stuff

Don’t Forget the Necessities

You’ve got a good idea how many clothes, diapers, and other necessities to pack when traveling with kids. But what about supplies from the bathroom? Almost everyone thinks to pack their toothbrush, but just in case, here’s a list of everything we take with us on trips, from camping to international travel.

I have a bag dedicated to bathroom items. Since I got sick of trying to remember their toothbrushes after they used them for the last time before leaving, I tossed a spare into the bathroom travel bag. Now each kid has a toothbrush that lives in the travel bag with its own cover.  I also have a small tube of toothpaste that meets the security limitations on size that I keep in there. 

After clean teeth, I feel strongly about deodorant. I get a travel size container for myself (luckily my kids don’t need this yet) and toss it in the bag as well. That way I can use my own on the day we depart, and still smell fresh during my travels. I keep a hairbrush and comb in the bag as well, though if your kids, like mine, didn’t have hair for several years, you may not need that. I also have several hair bands that stay permanently in the bag, as well as a sample size of any hair products I use myself (hairspray, volumizing spray, or detangler depending on our destination and reason for travel).

I keep a bar of solid shampoo in my bag to avoid complications at any security checkpoints. It works just as great for camping as it does for long travel trips, and I never have to worry about running out. It also doubles as my body wash, so I can pack less. I take a small container of face wash along as well as moisturizer that comes with built in SPF.

For summer or sunny travel, I toss in some sunscreen. I can usually find a small bottle around the house, or grab a stick of one of my favorite brands. I like to have body lotion and hand cream ready to go as well. And finally, even if it’s not that time of the month, I make sure I have a couple pads or tampons packed for any surprise visitors.

All that stuff fits easily into one makeup sized bag. I can grab it at a moment’s notice for last minute trips, and it makes planned packing so much faster. Each item stays small, but can last for up to three weeks of travel for myself and the kids. And it means I have one less thing to think about when packing.

The list:

• Toothbrush with cover
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hair brush, comb, or both
• Hair bands, elastics, or barrettes
• Solid shampoo
• Hair products (hair spray, etc.)
• Face wash
• Face moisturizer
• Sunscreen
• Lotion 
• Hand cream
• Pads or tampons