✈️ Packing Tips Because Less Is More

How we manage 1 backpack for 1 week

Author

Allie Rockwell
May 06, 2025

In partnership with

Good morning ☀️ from Booked It On Points: A curated collection of travel tips and personal stories by me, Allie→ because you’re meant to experience meaningful travel no matter life’s constraints 👊🏽

Let’s dive in.

100 Genius Side Hustle Ideas

Don't wait. Sign up for The Hustle to unlock our side hustle database. Unlike generic "start a blog" advice, we've curated 100 actual business ideas with real earning potential, startup costs, and time requirements. Join 1.5M professionals getting smarter about business daily and launch your next money-making venture.

✈︎ Travel Story

Pack Less, Live More: One backpack packing tips, kids included

When I told people our family of 4 was heading to Morocco for 10 days with only backpacks, I got a lot of raised eyebrows. In fact, when we showed up to the airport lounge, we saw 2 other families, taking the same trip, each having checked bags and pulling a carry on hardshell as well!

One bag each? No checked luggage? With kids?

Yep.

We each carried just one backpack (my favorite and kid’s favorite). And while I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a bit of a challenge at first—how do you fit warm layers and a bathing suit? What about toiletries?—the freedom it gave us was 100% worth it.

Why We Loved It:

  • No checked bag fees. Always a win. Cheap and you can head right to the lounge, no need to wait in line to check your bag!

  • No waiting at baggage claim. Once we landed we simply left the airport. Yup, walked outside to meet our driver and we’re on our way! Simple.

  • Easy ground travel. From navigating the medina in Marrakech to hopping a ride to the Agafay Desert, we weren’t lugging rolling suitcases over cobblestones or sand. We didn’t have to consider if our transport car(s) would accommodate what we’d brought. Being an “overpacked American” make me super insecure.

  • Fewer decisions. Outfits were limited, which meant more time soaking in the sights and less time debating what to wear.

What We Packed:

  • Layers. Morocco threw us 85°F afternoons and 30°F desert nights. We packed lightweight sweaters, hoodies, and jackets we could shed or pile on. Some extra socks and we wore our heaviest layers on the plane with us.

Oh yea, and that banana for later 😉

  • Comfy shoes. Everyone had one good pair—broken in, versatile, and ready for walking. We also could manage a pair of flip flops for our beach days.

  • Swimsuits & hats. Essential for desert pools and sun-soaked days.

  • Toiletries. I packed travel sizes only and pared way down. Think solid shampoo bars, one shared toothpaste, and no “just in case” extras. It’s a week, if we can’t glam, we’ll survive!

The Kids Carried Their Own Bags

We gave thee kids ownership (and limits). They packed their own clothes—with a little guidance—and learned to make trade-offs. Want your favorite stuffed animal? That’s fine—but it takes the space so we may have to compromise with the small one.

2 entertainment essentials:

  • Their iPods (yes, iPod, not iPAD) to listen to music for the long car rides, so retro.

  • A journal because we’re about to make some crazy memories!

  • A quick trip is always a great opportunity to leave the screens at home. We find our kids are more engaged and our time together is much more enriched without the ipads!

Letting the kids make those choices gave them independence and cut down on complaints later. They knew exactly what they had with them.

Packing light isn’t always easy, but it makes the actual traveling so much easier. And honestly, we didn’t miss a thing.

Would we do it again? In a heartbeat.

✈︎ Poll

What did you think of today's email?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Did you enjoy this newsletter? Send it to a friend because sharing is caring → Booked It On Points

It’s another week we’re waking up in our little home in South America. Still wild to us that we’re living this full life, world schooling our kids and creating memories to last a lifetime each and everyday!

Thank you for being here and have a great Tuesday!

Allie & Geo