5 Most Important Things To Pack For A Pesach Program

Traveling with small children for years, I have gained a certain amount of traveling and packing wisdom. From not having enough of a particular clothing item or type, the right tech accessories, something to cure that headache or stuff to keep the troops smiling, I’ve been through it. Here are some things to keep in mind as you pack up for your Pesach trip.

Do You Have a Charger I Could Borrow?

These days, we are incredibly dependent on our devices and electronics. Phones, tablets, computers, gaming devices, not to mention electric toothbrushes, electric razors, curling irons and blow dryers. We use these helpful and fun items throughout the day, but without the proper chargers or adapters, they become expensive paperweights. In order to avoid your child’s tablet dying during a layover or even worse- forgetting your phone charger and having to scrounge around  looking for one, do yourself a favor- make a list of whatever you need for your devices. You likely can’t pack them too early as you probably use them every da. Having a list ready to go that you can review the day you leave will be a big help. 

No Sleep For The Forgetful 

We all have something that either helps us get ready to sleep or help us stay asleep. From CPAP machines to pacifiers and lovies, sound machines to ear plugs and eye masks, many people have SOMETHING that is essential to their sleep routine. Add it to your list! As much fun as vacations and travel are, nothing can dampen the fun quite like exhaustion from lack of sleep- yours or your kids’. Make sure to include these simple yet critical items to ensure that you get the rest and relaxation your family deserves. 

All The Clothes For All The Things

While enjoying the Pesach vacation of your dreams, you will need your wardrobe to accommodate all of the experiences your trip has to offer. There will be Shul and seudah meals, adventures, swimming, sports, nighttime activities and downtime. You’re going to want a Pesach program wardrobe to cover a wide range of ACTIVITIES . Shabbos and Yom Tov attire ( hello two 3-day-Yom Tovs), comfortable travel and hang-out clothes, swimwear, something for sports or exercise, sleepwear, and all of the accessories and footwear to go with them sound like a lot to pack. While that’s true, and it IS very very true, making lists of what you plan on packing will help minimize some of the guesswork involved in packing up a family for a big trip. Also, when in doubt, pack extra. This applies to baby wipes, socks, undergarments and kid clothes. 

The 6 Month Rule

Yes, a Pesach is only two weeks but when it comes to medications, think about the last 6 months. Have you given your kid Benadryl? Have you taken ibuprofen? What about your little one’s inhaler or bandaids? When enjoying your vacation, the last thing you want to think about is health and medical needs. That being said, things will run a lot more smoothly if you have whatever you need on hand. This is why the 6 month rule works. Don’t bring the entire contents of your medicine cabinet. Just think about each family member. If your kids bring home as many germs from school as my kids do, you’ll probably benefit from having the following on hand, a thermometer, kids’ and adults ibuprofen/pain reliever/fever reducer, kids’ allergy meds, and ANY other prescription medications. Hopefully you won’t need them, but if you do, you can just reach into your suitcase pocket instead of scrambling for what you need. 

Something New

The new and the novel keep life exciting. Whether staying home for Pesach or venturing off to a program- this applies to you. Whether prepping at home or packing up a family for a trip, there is a lot to be done. One thing that can ensure smiles is something new and special. It can be sunglasses or a bathing suit, a tie or dangly earrings. For the kiddos it can be a new book or toy. Whatever it may be, having something new for the holiday is always something to look forward to. Buy it before the holiday and either hide or pack it away and make it a surprise. This also works amazingly when one of your kiddos is in a funk, and you need to distract them. I’d be lying if I said, I was above bribing or distracting my kids. We gotta do what works, right?

Before reading this, you’ve most likely thought of some of these items. And you might even be reading this and think- a thermometer? Will I really need that? Well, I’ve definitely used and appreciated having one more than once. Have I forgotten a bathing suit before? YUP. Just because we have some of these things floating around our minds, doesn’t mean we won’t forget them. The best thing to do is take the things you’ve thought about packing, include anything also you think is relevant and put them on a list. You want to have everything you’ll practically need, and also some fun items that will make for fun and excitement.