What to Pack for Active Kids:

Swimwear and Sportswear that Travels Well

The First Outfit Has to Survive the Ride

When you start packing for a family trip: you’ve got to figure out what to pack for active kids.  First up: think about the outfit your kids will actually wear out the door.  Those outfits need to handle car seats, snacks, bathroom stops, a warm terminal, and the potential to run (if necessary) to catch a late flight!  A stiff waistband or heavy shirt can become a problem before the suitcase has even been opened.  For that first outfit, look for soft bottoms, a breathable top, and a layer that can come off easily.  The clothes need to let a child sit, stretch, nap, and move again once you arrive at your destination.

 

Swimwear Goes at the Top, Not the Bottom

It seems like there’s always a pool request before the grown-ups are even ready to unpack their bags. That’s why it’s great to keep swimwear and sportswear for travel near the top of the kids’ bags instead of buried underneath pajamas and spare shoes.  Especially if the room isn’t ready, or if the hotel has a kids’ splash area next to the check-in: keep those suits easy to grab.

A good travel swimsuit also needs to recover quickly.  It shouldn’t stay wet in a plastic bag all evening, or make the next day’s clothes smell like a wet towel.  Quick-drying fabric matters when there isn’t a laundry room.

One Active Set Should Cover the Unexpected Stop

Every trip finds an extra stop.  It might be a short hiking trail behind the rental house, a good playground by a restaurant, or a beach walk that turns into a long hunt for seashells.  This is where technical children’s activewear earns its place.  Moodytiger works particularly well for active kids, who can really benefit from breathable fabrics that are easy to move and play in.  Their clothes let kids play, swim, take a long walk in the sun, roll in the sand ~ and then keep it easy for Mom and Dad later, with fabrics that are quick-drying.

Girls Need Sportswear That Can Leave the Gym Bag

For sporty daughters who move from swim lessons to school, or from a hectic playground to lunch: clothes that move and breathe are a MUST.  Sportswear for active girls shouldn’t feel like a costume, and ideally, should be able to handle multiple different kind of activities in one day.  A skort, leggings, or a light top that works both with “normal” activities, such as doing school work, while still allowing movement for that afternoon playground session is ideal.

That matters on travel days too, as changing rooms aren’t always available.  If a girl can walk through an airport, climb into a car, stretch at a rest stop, and still feel dressed enough for dinner with the family: then that piece has served its purpose well.

 

The Wet Bag Needs a Plan

Anytime I’m near the water, whether I’m floating the river in Bend with friends, or heading up to one of our favorite lakes to paddle board: I always pack a small wet bag.  It sounds minor, but it saves the rest of the suitcase, and keeps precious gear (like car keys and phones) safe and dry while we’re out on the water. 

Wet swimwear, sandy rash guards, and damp towels need a place to land until they can be rinsed.  Without a place for your wet gear, it can make your tote bag feel messy, and worst of all: get that dreaded, “wet dog” smell in your car!  The best swim pieces make the situation less stressful by rinsing easily, and not feeling overly waterlogged. 

Light, breathable swimwear is the way to go for a family who’s on-the-go.

 

What Didn’t Get Worn?

When you’re unpacking, take a look at the clothes that never made it out of the bag.  Usually they are too specific, too heavy, or too uncomfortable for the actual trip.  A dressy top that was too dressy for your mainly casual trip, a thick hoodie that took up too much space, or a backup swim bottom that no one wanted tells you what to skip next time, on your next adventure.

The useful pieces are usually easy to spot.  They’re either in the laundry, drying over a chair, or being worn again on the ride home.  That evidence is far more helpful than a generic packing checklist, because it gives insight into the clothing your kids actually WEAR and use all the time.  This should save time when packing for the next trip!