What we packed for our Kids
Moving from a four-bedroom house into a caravan was definitely a learning curve for us—and at first, we majorly overpacked! Like many families starting out on the road, we brought way too much, thinking we’d need it all. But once we had everything weighed, reality hit: we had to shed some serious weight. That moment forced us to really think about what we actually needed and embrace a much simpler lifestyle.
For the Kids
We started by giving each of the kids just one drawer for their essentials—summer clothes, pyjamas, socks and undies. Savannah had a small basket for her dresses, and the kids shared another basket for winter clothes and swimmers. We quickly found they lived in swimmers and a couple of comfy outfits most of the time anyway—especially since we were following the sun.
Each of them had a toy basket under their bunks—if it didn’t fit in the basket, it didn’t come. As we travelled, I found myself culling the toys even more. They just weren’t being used as much as I thought. Between the beach, bushwalks, bike rides, and exploring new places each day, the kids hardly spent time inside the van. That said, on rainy days or longer stopovers, those few toys really came in handy and saved our sanity.
We also packed a small selection of board games, learning activities, and arts and craft supplies, which became staples for quiet afternoons or family time under the awning.
Both kids brought their bikes—and they got so much use! From caravan parks to campsites and even remote beach tracks, their bikes were one of our best packing decisions.
Books & Tech
Our kids love reading, but as any travelling parent knows, books can take up a lot of space and add weight quickly. We soon discovered that op shops were an absolute goldmine. We’d swap out the books we’d finished for new ones, and the kids loved the little ritual of hunting for their next read in each new town. For Christmas one year, we gifted them both a Kindle—and honestly, it was a game changer. Lightweight, compact, and filled with books, they could read anytime, anywhere, and download new titles as we travelled. It made reading on the road so much easier.
Each of them also had an iPad. While we tried to keep screen time to a minimum, they came in handy during long drives, rainy days, or downtime at camp. The kids would watch a movie, play an educational game, or relax with one of their favourite shows. Like anything, it was all about balance.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to any family about to hit the road: pack lighter than you think you need to! Especially if you’re chasing warm weather, your kids will live in swimmers, and you’ll find yourself doing far less laundry than expected. Don’t stress about packing "just in case" items—you can always pick something up along the way if it’s truly needed.
The biggest lesson we learned was that less really is more. A simpler setup made it easier to keep the van tidy, find what we needed quickly, and—most importantly—spend more time actually enjoying our travels rather than managing stuff.
Trust your instincts, stay flexible, and embrace the adventure—you’ve got this!