We are quickly approaching summer and its road trips, beach vacations, hiking adventures, and long-awaited reunions with family and friends.
The lead-up to these events, however, is decidedly less fun. Coordinating, scheduling, and, of course, packing—the chore that somehow turns into a whirlwind of last-minute scrambles, overstuffed suitcases, and forgotten toothbrushes.
Families in particular know the challenges associated with making sure everyone is adequately packed for a vacation or weekend trip. Especially with small kids, it can be difficult getting them to cooperate in this task.
To make this part of the process easier, enter Time Timer visual timers. These can easily serve as travel tools that can make packing a breeze.
Why Use a Timer for Packing?
Packing involves dozens of small decisions and tasks, from choosing outfits to charging devices.
Without a clear structure, it’s easy to get sidetracked or overwhelmed. A visual timer like the Time Timer breaks the process into manageable chunks and keeps everyone focused.
Here’s how one of our visual timers can make packing easier:
- Keeps You on Track: A visible countdown helps prevent distractions (looking at you, Instagram).
- Reduces Procrastination: Setting the timer to five minutes for packing is way more approachable than “pack the whole suitcase now”. Small increments of packing spread across a couple days can actually help you be more thoughtful and deliberate in your decisions. Trying to do it all in one rush may lead to you forgetting something.
- Adds a Fun Challenge: Turn packing into a race or game for kids. They more than likely want to get their packing done as quickly as possible, so turning it into a competition can not only lower the amount of time spent on the task but add an element of fun to it.
- Helps with Transitions: Setting clear limits for each step can ease meltdowns and power struggles. Do one time block for clothes; another for towels, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, cosmetics, and the like; and another for chargers, books, toys, or whatever else you or your family may need for the trip.
Whether you’re prepping for a solo weekend trip or gearing up for a weeklong family vacation, here’s how to make packing smooth, stress-free, and even a little fun — with help from a timer.
Create a Packing Plan and Share It
Before implementing any timer-based plan, make a checklist of what needs to be packed — clothes, toiletries, electronics, snacks, books, etc. — and then assign chunks of time to each category.
If you have a Time Timer MOD visual timer, you can use our Dry Erase Board that fits the timer right into it, allowing you to keep a checklist and timer visible at once.
Seeing the red disk slowly disappear gives kids and adults alike a sense of time without needing to read a clock. And it creates a shared rhythm for the whole family.
Use the Timer on Travel Day, Too
As anyone knows, packing does not end when the suitcase zips shut. Travel day comes with its own timeline — getting dressed, loading the car, double-checking for lost items, and getting out the door on time.
Use a Time Timer visual timer for a five-minutes last-minute bag check before loading the car.
When a family can see how much time is left, transitions go more smoothly — and everyone is less likely to run late.
Try Timer Games for Kids
For families with children, using timers to create a game can be an easy motivator.
Try either of these packing-themed timer games:
- Race the Clock: Pack the suitcase before the disk disappears.
- Suitcase Swap: For siblings, have them trade suitcases and choose outfits for each other during a certain timespan set by the timer. There can be some reverse psychology at play here: a sibling may pack what the other sibling does not want, which can in turn lead the other sibling to do their own packing by picking out the “right” clothes.
The countdowns can encourage the kids to get into the task, as there can be a sense of urgency there.
Make Packing a Summer Tradition
Kids thrive on routine — even for irregular things like travel. The more you turn packing into a family ritual, the easier it can be to get kids to do packing on their own.
Try using the Time Timer visual timer the same way for every trip. It helps set a rhythm kids can count on, and it removes some of the resistance that often comes with travel prep.
You can even create a “Packing Playlist” and set it to the same time as your timer. For example:
- Song 1 = choose outfits
- Song 2 = toiletries
- Song 3 = books and games
- Song 4 = pack backpack
Before long, your kids will be reminding you to start the timer.
Looking for a visual timer for your travel needs? Check out our product line to find the time-management tool for you!
