In our current climate with travel restrictions in place around the world, day trips outside of our hometown are a way to feel that we are taking some well-deserved R & R.

We normally pack everything in a carry-on for our usual 6 months of travel each year departing the Australian winter and heading for warmer climes. Our lives have changed over the last six months, however, and so has our pattern of travel.

We are sharing with you our check lists for day trips, and, as we are soon to be grandparents, we have added another check list.

Day Trip Packing for a Road Trip

• Bottles of water
• Sunscreen
• Snacks for the road
• Mobile phones
• Charger for your mobile phones
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Hand sanitizer
• Face mask
• Rain jacket or warmer jacket
• Scarf
• Camera
• Cash and credit cards
• First aid kit

Day Trip Packing When Travelling with Elderly Parents

• Medication
• Batteries for hearing aids
• Bottles of water
• Sunscreen
• Mobile phones
• Chargers for all mobile phones (including elderly parents)
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Hand sanitizer
• Face mask
• Rain jacket or warmer jacket
• Scarf
• Camera
• Cash and credit cards
• Pillows
• Rugs
• First aid kit
• Check their dietary requirements and what time they need to have their meals
• Spare pair of glasses
• Plan a destination that is walkable or wheelchair friendly
• Collapsible chairs
• Sun umbrella

Recommendations for Fun Day Trips with Elderly Parents

• Local parks
• Scenic drives
• Local museums
• Picnics
• Restaurant lunches in scenic spots
• Lookouts
• Morning or afternoon tea
• Gentle walking trails
• Zoos and wildlife parks
• Beach that has shelters and picnic tables

Day Trips Packing for Families

• Bottles of water
• Sunscreen
• Healthy snacks for the journey
• Mobile phones and chargers
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Hand sanitizer
• Face mask
• Rain jacket or warmer jacket
• Scarf
• Camera, memory cards, and batteries
• Cash and credit cards
• Games that can be played in the car for young children
• For babies – musical toys, stuffed toys, and their favourite blanket or toy
• Stroller and prams
• Nappies and baby wipes, nappy sacks, nappy rash cream
• Baby formula
• Spare clothes
• Pre-packaged baby food
• Tissues or wet wipes
• Swim wear if heading to the beach
• Picnic rug
• Umbrellas
• Fold-a-way chairs

We hope you can ‘hit the road’ soon for your next day trip.

Do you have any more recommendations or suggestions for packing for a day trip? What might those be and where did they come in handy? We would love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below.