Travel can be a life-broadening and fun experience. I’ve discovered adding the following useful items to your packing list can make life away from home a bit easier.

Bubble Wrap: Slipping a sheet of bubble wrap or a padded mailer from your recent Amazon order into your suitcase can help protect your purchase from the local craft fair, art project or souvenir coffee mug on the trip home. If it isn’t used, it can be thrown out. But it is worth its weight in gold if needed.

Sharpie Marker: Useful for labeling pool toys, beach towels, books, suntan lotion, etc., to see that they get returned if lost. If you’d rather not use your last name, the hotel room number works as well. Years ago our hotel sponsored a tie-dye event. The marker was in high demand to make sure everyone got their items (and not someone else’s) when they dried.

Ziploc Bags of All Sizes: Handy for storage of small items, to package portions of snacks, and keep wet or dirty clothes and swimwear away from clean items. Pack a few tissues in a bag in the event a restroom you use is not fully stocked.

Sewing Kit: No need for a formal one. A few needles, some thread, buttons and safety pins in one of the Ziploc bags can save the day.

Portable First Aid Kit: There is nothing worse than having a headache and no access to acetaminophen. A few adhesive bandages, stomach and headache pain medicine, first aid cream, etc., and some tissues in a Ziploc bag and you are all set.

Electrical Tape: Great for minor luggage repairs or to cover light switches in your room so hotel staff won’t turn them off on Shabbat.

Bandanas: Bring at least one per family member. Safety helmets are required to be worn for activities such as horseback riding, zip-lining and riding ATVs. A bandana protects your head from sweat and anything else the prior helmet user left behind. They also serve to protect scalps from the strong sun and can serve as sweatbands when you hit the hotel gym. I’ve used one to tie drying clothing to a balcony chair when strong winds threatened.

Colorful Phone Chargers and Charging Cables: One of the most common items left behind. Pick out cables in bright colors or use a brightly colored ribbon tied to the cord to remind you to take it with you when you leave. It’s also a good idea to bring spares. If a cable breaks or is lost, you don’t have to waste time or money looking for a replacement.

Nylon Foldable Reusable Shopping Bag: Useful as a beach bag, for souvenir shopping or to bring snacks for your excursions.

Baby Wipes: Not just for babies. These treasures can be used to freshen up after a long flight or to wipe your hands after eating, clean surfaces, and remove sticky or dirty residue. Pack a few in a Ziploc bag.

Cough Drops: Pack a few to combat dry mouth and freshen breath after a long day. Cough drops, hard candy and gum also provide relief to ear pain during changes in airplane cabin pressure during take-off and landing.

Return Address Labels: Packing a few of the many labels sent from various charities can mark bottles of sunscreen, books or children’s toys.

Chair Saver: A magazine or book you have finished reading are useful items to leave on your chaise while you grab a snack. The chair looks occupied, but it isn’t a catastrophe if the item goes missing.

Extra Pens: Whether to complete the crossword puzzle in the airline magazine or fill out customs/immigration forms, you’ll need these.

Book/Deck of Cards/5 dice: There may be delays. And you may not be in a place with internet access or a place to charge devices. Solitaire or Yahtzee-like games can easily be played and reading an interesting low-tech book can help pass the time.

Change of Clothes: Always carry a change of clothes in your carry-on bag. If something spills on your clothes you don’t have to arrive at your destination looking like a mess. In the case of a last- minute flight cancellation where the airline puts you up in a hotel room, you won’t have to dig through your checked luggage to find something to wear the next day. Likewise, having your toothbrush and hairbrush in your carry-on is recommended.

Inflatable Beach Ball/Frisbee: Traveling with children? An inflatable beach ball is fun indoors and out and neither of these items take up a lot of room.

Dollar Store Finds: New toys, games, and coloring books from a dollar store can keep children (and adults) entertained. And it isn’t heartbreaking if any of the items are left behind.

Earplugs and Headphones: Your hotel room may have sounds that keep you from falling asleep. You can use earbuds to block the noise, but an inexpensive pair of earphones handle the task easily, even if they are not connected to anything.

Carabiner Clips: Pick up a few from the hardware or sporting goods department of your local discount store. Attach a few to your day pack or carry-on/personal item to secure your travel pillow, sun hat and more.

Binder Clips: Bring a few different sizes. They are useful for closing bags of snacks; keeping curtains closed; keeping travel documents together; as a bookmark that won’t fall out; and, if absolutely necessary, as a hair tie.

Clothing in Similar Colors: Traveling with children who may wander? Dressing you and them in the same color style will identify them as being part of your group.

Luggage Tips: It is also a good idea to take a picture of your luggage (front and back) before it is checked. Take the picture next to the owner for size/scale. If the luggage goes missing or is damaged in transit, the picture is worth more than the proverbial “thousand words,” especially if the airline’s agent is not proficient in a language you speak. Also remember to write your name and cell phone number or email on a card placed inside your luggage in case the external tag falls off. Having your home address visible on the outside of your luggage is not recommended. Use permanent markers or colorful tape to “personalize” your luggage. Black is the most popular color for luggage and mistakes are often made at baggage claim. Make sure your luggage is distinctive.

Deborah Melman is a staff writer at The Jewish Link.