I am looking for a large enough overnight bag that will fit my toddler's clothes, diapers and maybe a blanket. My husband and I often spend time either at our in-law's house or at a lake overnight, sometimes two. It seems like I overpack so much and end up with 3 and 4 bags (my bag too) and we bring a dog bag! I never seem to have the right shape bag that will hold everything. And don't forget I need a bag for toys too. I end up bringing the whole house! Please recommend a large enough bag, maybe one where I can combine my clothes with my daughters.
P.S. I have tried using luggage!
We used to just use laundry baskets. One for clothes, one for toys, one for towels... The dirty clothes would be sorted before we left for home. I could do the laundry the minute I walked in the door...
YMMV
LBC
A large rolling duffle should work! I put the toys in a small backpack.
If traveling by car (well, for us its the truck), we use rubbermaid totes. They stack squarely and are waterproof if we need to put any of them in the pick up truck box (longer lake weeks with the in laws)....
When we re-pack for home, we put everyones dirty clothes into one, so it goes straight into the laundry room upon arrival home.
On the way there, for short trips, teen daughter and I will combine ours (sometimes hubby too..depends on the trip)..then we have another for food items we are asked to bring to contribute. But we usually prefer to bring our own towels and at least a pillow. Just works for us.
For regular bags, I would do the rolling duffles =)
I really like the duffle bags by Vera Bradley. They come in at least two sizes and tons of pretty patterns. My sisters and I all have the "set" and the duffles are perfect for short trips. I travel quite a bit for work and use the duffle! They are sturdy and machine-washable! When we travel for the weekend, my son's "suitcase" is a Vera duffle b/c it fits everything (including his stuffed animal and a blanket) as well as enough clothing for 2 or 3 days.
We just invested in rolling duffles for our 4yo twins this Christmas. They are from LLBean and high quality. They are a bit big for them right now, but we know that they'll grow into them very quickly...
We bought a large rolling duffel bag from Costco. It is great! The best part is it fits under the bed when you are not using it. Very durable and easy to roll.
We use backpacks a lot. DD has a little one for her toys and books and I use a largish one for our clothes. I like that they can go on my back for carrying other stuff (I use a backpack for a diaper bag, too), and have pockets for toothbrushes, shoes, etc.
If you are looking for one bag for all, we got my stepson a rolling duffel bag from LL Bean. They have 3 sizes.
I have an eddie bauer large duffle bag that was a lifesaver since college. I used to use it for toting my clean clothes back from my parents house, and as I grew the usefulness did too.
It is large, but it fits EVERYTHING! i used smaller "toy bags" to seperate out those things, but since it is not rigid like luggage, it would stuff and bend and conform to my trunk or was easily bungeed to the top on the roof rack (it has a plastic coating inside that makes it water resistant.)
one drawback. You clothes can often end up a little rumpled.
Good luck.
Laundry baskets work well for the toys!
Take only the essentials...a change of clothes, p.j.s, some diapers, lovey, blanket, dental stuff.....can you leave some things at your destination(s)?
For my inlaws we left a few sets of clothes, toys, diapers etc. at their house. Since we were over so often, it just made it a lot easier to leave things there instead of the constant back and forth. She found a little spot in a closet where we could stack it all up. Even now that the kids are older we still keep a change or two of clothes over there for messes and potty accidents that may come up. Could you do something like that ? Otherwise I would suggest a large back pack or duffle bag.
I go on 3 day trips to P.A. on a monthly basis, I know all about packing the whole house. Toys, first aid kits, meds, favorite bed stuff, clothes for all possbable occations, helmits for bikes/4 wheelers etc. I find that a large rolling duffle is my best friend and back packs. I used a luggage backpack for my daughters diaper bag and Loved it. Each kid gets to go in their backpack and get their clothes . it is nice.
Good luck, you will perfect what will work best for you, really you will.
forget the bags and just pack a small suitcase. it will fit everything in and you only have to lug one bag in not a bunch
I am a bag freak! lol! I do like backpacks a lot, but my all time favorite bag is the Adventure Tote from llbean.... check it out online! I don't even have the biggest one and it still holds a lot! I love all the pockets on the outside... great for so many things! I can't wait to order another for my son! lol! LLbean has my favorite backpacks too! And they are lifetime warranty bags!
