A vacation can be a memorable experience, but packing all the necessities for a family on the road can be a nightmare. It's a big project and afterward, you may find yourself thinking, "Now I really need a vacation!"

An organized, adequately stuffed travel ensemble can accompany you and your family on the road or in the air. Packing is an art in itself and a few handy tips can send you off smoothly.

Don't Forget to Pack The...
It's easy to forget to pack an everyday item such as toothpaste, dental floss, pajamas or the only hairbrush in the world that will get every strand of hair in the right place. But, there is a way to remember such items.

About a week before your trip, find a pad and pencil. Write down things that come to mind that you will need to bring with you. The easiest way to do this is to jot the items down as you use them. After a shave, write "razor" on the list. If you use a special cleansing bar on your face, write it down. As you wear pajamas or change your baby's diaper, get your pencil ready. Don't take for granted the myth that just because you wear clothes every day you will remember to pack them.

Brainstorm about your plans and add any necessary items to your packing list. You will need a camera and film if you want to take pictures, addresses of family and friends if you plan on sending postcards, etc.

If you are staying at a resort or major hotel chain, there may be a blow dryer provided with the room. Find out which amenities are included. Every inch of space you save in your suitcase is a valuable one.

Your list won't do you any good if you don't check things off as you pack them on the big day. Older children and teenagers can have their own special list. Don't forget to check it twice!

Pro Traveler Extraordinaire
Lain Ehmann from Brookline, Mass. travels frequently with her husband and son. "Like everything with traveling, the key to packing is to pre-plan," she says. "Know what activities you'll be doing, what the weather is going to be like and if you'll have access to laundry facilities."

Lain offers valuable tips for traveling families:

• To cut the boredom while traveling, pack a travel backpack for children. Many children will also enjoy having their own bag to carry.
• UNDERpack instead of OVERpack. It's worth spending a few hours in a laundromat not to have to take the whole closet along. You can also buy T-shirts as souvenirs that you can wear while on vacation.
• Group items together since you may find yourself looking for socks for the whole family all at the same time.
• Stay away from items that need to be ironed. If you need a dressier outfit, try rayon.
• Don't get so preoccupied in packing for your kids that you forget to pack for YOU.
• Think "mix and match." Instead of bringing five separate pairs of shorts and five shirts, aim for two or three pairs of shorts that each go with the shirts.
• Pack more underwear than you think you'll need.
• Always take along a sweater or light jacket, even in the summer.

Airplane Travel
Pack crucial items in a carry-on bag in the event your luggage ends up in Tulsa while you and your family fly to Cincinnati. Things to consider are contact lens supplies, prescription medications, diapers and wipes, etc. For women, if mascara and lipstick are crucial items, put them in a carry-on bag!

Although your checked-in luggage will most likely have a luggage tag with your home information, that won't do you much good while you are sitting in Cincinnati waiting for the airlines to magically find you. Put a standard-sized piece of paper in an easy-to-find place inside your suitcase with contact information at your destination.

Sometimes there can be a luggage mix-up even under a watchful eye. "Another family accidentally took our bag, and we took theirs," says Lain. "It was funny because they had a daughter the same age as our son. I was surprised to open the bag at the hotel and see all these clothes in the right size – but for a girl! It worked out well because we used their diapers and wipes. We managed to get it straightened out the next day."

Packing Can Be a Breeze
Connie Nanasy has traveled through 60 countries in six continents. She is the author of Roamin' Around Planet Earth, a warm and humorous tale about her travel adventures. "If you take the proper clothing, then packing will be a breeze," says Nanasy. "Take clothing that dries easily and does not wrinkle. Plan on the layered look to avoid packing too much. Simply by adding a sweater or jacket over a blouse or shirt, you can take it off as needed for the day."

Nanasy recommends a "three-in-one" dress for women. What is that? It is a long dress that sports a new look by adding a necklace, scarf or belt.

A trip won't be enjoyable with sore feet. "Pack an extra pair of well-broken-in walking shoes. Take one pair, not heels, for dinner wear," says Nanasy.

With some preplanning and organization, you can remember to pack bathing suits for the whole family to wear while frolicking in the waves or lounging by the pool. You forgot the sunscreen? Don't worry; even the least-seasoned travelers know to bring some extra cash or traveler's checks to buy the items that inevitably get left behind.

• Flying With Babies and Toddlers
• Traveling With Toddler: A Quiz for the Parent Who Dares
• Trouble-free Airplane Trips With Toddlers
• Travels and Tribulations: Surviving Travel With Small Children
• Talk about it!