My husband hates it when I ask him to load the van for a trip. With six people in our family and a dog, we have a lot of bags and gear to load up. And did I mention that one of the 6 of us in a baby? If you have ever traveled with a baby, then you know that there is a TON of extra gear that has to be loaded! I’ve been called a “Tetris Pro” a few times in my life and love a good challenge! Here are my tips for getting it all in and making it work!
1.) Start BIG! I load all of the big stuff first. This usually means the large suitcases, pack n play, stroller, and any other large baby items.
2.) Load soft items next. If you have blankets, sleeping bags, or pillows these often fit nicely in tight spaces.
3.) Pack things you will need on the trip below or between seats.
4.) Take items out of boxes or packages to help cut down on unneeded trash.
5.) Books, toys, travel games all go in as we load my kids.
6.) Purses, diaper bags, etc go in last.
We have found packing this way is extremely helpful. If you are packing for a holiday trip and have presents to take, consider buying online and having shipped directly to final destination. This really saves on space. Also, if I know we need a pack of diapers for the week, I try to buy them AFTER we arrive as it helps save on space.
We have a Chrysler Town and Country and have found that there is plenty of hidden pockets of space. You can find a great variety of these and awesome family friendly rides at Miracle Chrysler Jeep, Dodge.
