I Didn’t Get the Hype—Until I Used These: Why Packing Cubes Are Now a Must for Family Travel
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The Travel Mess That Changed Everything
It took exactly one trip with a suitcase that exploded all over our hotel room to convince me I needed a better system. I used to just fold and stuff each kid’s clothes into a shared bag and hope for the best. Spoiler alert: it never worked. But once I discovered packing cubes, everything changed.
If you’ve ever had your toddler digging through the suitcase to find their favorite jammies (only to leave behind a tornado of chaos), you’re going to love this travel hack. Packing cubes keep your family organized, reduce stress, and actually make packing fun.
Want more travel hacks that make family trips easier? Check out my beginner's guide to points and miles and learn how we fly and stay for (almost) free!
Why I Swear By Packing Cubes
Pack by Person or Category
Whether you assign one cube per kid or group things by type (PJs, swimwear, outfits), packing cubes help you stay organized from the start. I color-code ours: one kid is blue, another pink, another green. This makes it SO easy to find what I need without digging through the whole bag.
Maximize Space
Rolling clothes inside cubes keeps them compact and helps avoid that moment where you have to sit on your suitcase to zip it shut. We’ve squeezed way more into a carry-on thanks to this trick.
Keep the Hotel Room Tidy
Instead of clothes exploding everywhere, I just unzip a cube and place it in a drawer. Done. No hunting through piles of t-shirts or mismatched socks when you're trying to get out the door for a hike or dinner reservation.
Stress-Free Airport Security
Ever had TSA rummage through your bag and leave it a total mess? With packing cubes, everything stays mostly intact. I just pull out the cube, and they can do their check without scattering my carefully packed items.
Road Trip Friendly
On road trips, I use one duffel bag with different cubes so each kid still has their "own space." It keeps things streamlined when we only bring one big bag into the hotel for a one-night stop.
If you’re packing for a big family trip soon, check them out! These are the exact packing cubes we use and love.
Want to Travel Smarter Too?
Want to save even more space and money while traveling?
Using travel rewards points has allowed us to splurge on amazing trips without the guilt. If you’re ready to earn more points and perks for your family, here’s a list of credit cards I recommend for family travel.
Final Thoughts
Packing cubes are one of those small investments that make a big difference. They’ve truly transformed the way we travel as a family. Less stress, more space, and way fewer "MOM, where's my shirt?!" moments.
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