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If you’re lucky enough to be heading off on vacation, no doubt you’re going to need to make a list of the travel essentials to pack. But instead of heading to the mall to pick up these items up, why not embark on a DIY project and make your own? What’s more fulfilling (and also super thrifty) than making your very own travel essentials? And hey, if you’re looking for a gift for that travel-lover in your life you could make them a few things too.
So if you’re in search of some of the best, and most useful, DIY travel essentials look no further. We’ve created a list of the best (and cheapest) hacks for travel equipment.
1. Travel Documents Wallet
With traveling comes many many travel documents: printouts of your insurance policy, a photocopy of your passport and the confirmation of your hotel. You need to keep all the important stuff safe and that’s where this travel document comes in. If you have spare cardboard, felt or other durable materials lying around you’re all set to make your very own travel documents wallet. If you’re heading to a hostel, check out this list of Backpacking Essentials.
2. Eye mask
Long haul flights are exhausting at the best of times. But when an airline doesn’t provide an eye mask and the bright lights are keeping you from sleeping, it can be unbearable. Avoid this problem in the future by making your very own eye mask. All it takes is a little elastic and some soft, comfortable material, in whatever color or pattern you fancy, and voilà, you have yourself an eye mask. They also make great little gifts for your friends and family too.
3. Luggage tags
Luggage tags are essential on your travel packing list. In the event of your luggage being lost or slightly delayed, it’s always good to know your name, address and telephone number are with your bags, in case an airport staff member needs to contact you. It’s also a simple way to customize your luggage and make it stand out from the sea of black and gray suitcases at the airport. You can pick up some plain luggage tags for as little as a dollar, then all you need to do is add your personality to them with some craft paint.
4. Memory Match Game
Whilst traveling there’s always that point in the trip where you’re stuck for something to do. You could be delayed for hours in the airport or be stuck in your hotel room while it rains heavily outside. And instead of reaching for your phone, why not reach for a game? This DIY memory match game is great fun and can really test yours and your travel companions memory skills! All you need is a selection of wooden circles (any shape really as long as they’re all the same) and something to stick on them. This could be some colorful stickers, photos of travel destinations you’ve been to or even colorful scraps of materials you may have lying around. Just make sure you have two of each and you’re ready to play!