Summer Travel Essentials! #Giveaway

The countdown is on!! Only 15 days until the little one’s are free for the summer and we are running on our own schedule, and making the most of those long and hazy summer days! 

Should I admit I have a wee bit of panic setting in?  My girls are now 15 and 12, growing up so fast, and I only have so many summers left with these babes before they fly the coop!  I’m feeling the pressure to make the most of this summer!

We will be spending lots of time in the car, taking road trips, day trips and squeaking in as many vacations for the family as possible.  There will be lots of packing and unpacking and this can be stressful if you are not prepared!  Stress and summer don’t go together, so here are some fabulous tips courtesy of P&G to help ensure your vacation starts off on the right foot:

Take time to prep

• Dedicate time well before departure to plan your pack—yes plan. Check the weather forecast, ensure flight times are accurate, check construction and closures and find alternative routes to make a realistic travel route to get you there on time. If flying, remember to double check what you can bring in your carry-on to avoid anything being thrown out.
• Avoid the morning of mad dash to gather all necessary toiletries and invest in a travel set of essentials.  Do you need a full size shampoo and conditioner for the family to share, or can you use the adorable mini travel-sized items, like the super cute and convenient mini Scope Outlast ($2.99*) to maintain fresh breath on the go? If you have essentials you just can’t duplicate, like an electronic toothbrush, add them to your last minute pack list.

Make a list, check it twice

• If heading on a road trip, packing the family and your trip essentials can mean a tightly packed car. Making a check list of what you really need will help eliminate those “nice to have” items that will overflow the car.
• Involve the kids – throughout the week have the kids write down items they use in the day on a chalk or white board in a central location (i.e. kitchen fridge). At the end of the week, go through the list together and narrow it down to the must haves. You may be surprised by some of the things you use daily!

To pack it right, pack it light!

• The lighter the better! We know packing with kids and pets it may be difficult to live by this mantra, however keeping things light and simple leaves room for souvenirs.
• Downsize by bringing items that have more uses than one. Bring Pampers Sensitive wipes ($3.99*) – they work wonders for baby’s bottom and do double duty by wiping faces  clean of juice spills and other sticky messes. Be sure to have Puffs Basic Tissues ($5.99*) on hand to aid in the unexpected clean up!
• Bounce Free & Sensitive Dryer Sheets ($8.99*) are a great static solution on the go. Rub along your electric-charged clothing item to help remove pesky static!
• When packing clothing, try rolling versus folding. It often helps keep things less-wrinkled and can save space in your suitcase. And to keep everything smelling fresh, longer, spray the inside of your suit case with Febreze Fabric Refresher Extra Strength ($2.99*).

Car essentials

• It’s easy to get tempted by road side stops for fries and ice cream, which can add up and increase your budget. Try bringing cut fruit, veggies and bags of trail mix to help curb everyone’s appetite! And don’t worry about the mess, Bounty DuraTowels White Paper Towels ($3.49*) are perfect for spills and sticky fingers. (*these may have saved me when I spilled my coffee this week!)
• Bathroom pit stops can often be annoying if certain amenities are missing – don’t leave the house without bringing your own Charmin Basic ($4.99*) so you’re always fresh and comfortable. Keep your mouth feeling fresh too by bringing Oral-B Pro-Health Cross Action Manual Toothbrush ($7.99*) and ORAL B Pro-Health Glide Floss($3.99*) so you can head back into the car feeling rejuvenated, ready for the next leg of the trip.
• Long car rides can often result in smells you’d wish you left at home. With leftover snacks sitting around, get rid of the odours by using a Febreze Car Vent Clip Air Freshener ($3.99*) to keep your vehicle fresh for hours and hours.

Safety first

• Always remember to bring a first aid kit. No one wants to get sick on vacation so be prepared for everything that may get thrown your way. From cuts, bruises, to colds and allergies, be ready to tackle it all so the fun never stops!

I have had the chance to test all of these products throughout the year and will be packing them up again this year as I hit the road for our overnight trips to go to the Zoo, The African Lion Safari, the Beach and the cottage.  Now thanks to P&G I have the chance to share them with one lucky reader of How To Survive Life In The Suburbs! This giveaway is valued at $50.00 and includes:

• Febreze Car Vent Clip Air Freshener – $3.99*
• Febreze Fabric Refresher Extra Strength – $2.99*
• Scope Outlast – $2.99*
• Charmin Basic – $4.99*
• Puffs Basic Tissues – $5.99*
• Pampers Sensitive wipes – $3.99*
• Bounce Free & Sensitive Dryer Sheets – $8.99*
• Oral-B Pro-Health Cross Action Manual Toothbrush – $7.99*
• ORAL B Pro-Health Glide Floss – $3.99
• Bounty DuraTowels White Paper Towels 2 King Rolls 49 Sheets – $3.49*

Enter by leaving a comment telling me which P&G product you are most excited to try and then filling out the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected.