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Challenge: Traveling with Kids

Family Vacation Hacks that Every Mom Needs to Know

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Sure, family vacations are perfect for exciting adventures and serious family bonding. These trips are also perfect for tantrums, tears, and Mom and Dad going a bit bananas. But we are making memories here, and we all could use some family fun. So grab the suitcases and let’s get going because these hacks will make sure you have happy travelers your entire vacation.

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Living on Vacation Time

Need to get up early? Order room service. I’ll always get up for coffee and my kids will rise and shine for chocolate milk delivered to our hotel door.

A roll-up cosmetic bag makes a perfect pool bag. Pack toys, goggles, swim diapers, money, and even a book for Mom to read into each compartment. Now everything your family needs for a day at the pool stays organized and is easy to carry.

Rent when you can and skip packing extras. Call your hotel to see if they offer beach chair and umbrella rentals and if they give out beach towels. Less is more when you're packing.

Tight Quarters- Here’s How to Make It all Work in a Tiny Space

Pack a few clothespins because after splashing in a pool or the ocean, you can attach the clothespins to the shower curtain to hang wet bathing suits and towels for a quick and space saving dry. You can also use clothespins as toothbrush holders so your toothbrushes aren’t sitting on the bathroom counter.

Make the most of your closet space by creating your own hanger extenders. Use the top of a soda can and thread a hanger hook through it. Now there's need to live out of a suitcase with this hack.

An over-the-door shoe organizer is simple to pack and is perfect to hang in the bathroom. Rather than let everyone’s lotions, soaps, makeup, hair products, and styling tools take up all the counter space, pop everything into the pockets to keep the bathroom organized.

Use a hanging sweater organizer as a cubby in a hotel room. It's perfect as a catch-all for shoes, souvenirs or electronics. For early mornings, save time by designating each pocket for your kids’ outfits so everyone can get ready and out the door in a flash.

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Good Night Sleep Tight—Hacks to Help the Entire Family Sleep on Vacay

Download a white noise app and pop your phone into a glass on a nightstand. The app will drown out noises outside your hotel room—I’m looking at your noisy spring breakers and ice machine that never stops—and the cup works like a DIY speaker so the whole room is bathed in sweet white noise that is perfect for a peaceful slumber.

It may be sunny outside but your little one needs a nap. So grab a few hangers from the hotel closet and use the clips to hold the curtains closed. Still too much light? Aluminum foil works in a pinch as blackout shades—plus it’s super inexpensive. Just roll onto the window and secure with tape for perfect napping conditions.

Worried your kids will roll out of the bed? Ask for a few extra pillows or towels and place them under the fitted sheet for a DIY bed rail.

A good offense is the best defense—even on vacation.

Packs snacks you can toss in a bag to bring on every outing and excursion. Nothing is worse than a hungry kid on vacation.

Don’t forget to pack water bottles so your little ones stay hydrated and you don’t have to spend a small fortune on buying water. Be sure to pack dish soap to clean the bottles at night.

You can never have too many baby wipes-even if you don’t have a baby anymore, and dog poo bags are great for cleaning big and small messes and holding onto souvenirs.

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Now that you've done all the planning and packing--go enjoy your vacation because you deserve it, Mom!

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