Going on holiday with little ones can often seem like the most stressful thing in the world. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive list of everything that you’ll need to get through the next week (or two!).
What To Do Before You Start Packing
Many parents will miss out this very key and vital step. But it’s important to get yourself (and everyone else!) organized before packing.
- Make sure that all your clothes have been washed, ironed and are ready to pack in advance
- Always leave plenty of time for yourself and pack in advance
- Don’t forget to check your weight limits on hand and hold luggage. And make sure that everyone has a suitcase that’s suitable in terms of size and weight
- Instead of traditional folding, try the rolling technique to make full use of your space
- Put your shoes in a plastic bag to keep clothes clean
- Always make sure to pack spare clothes and underwear in your carry on in case your luggage is lost
Things For The Journey
Often the most stressful part of the holiday is the journey. Make sure you have everything that you need, whether it’s a taxi trip to the airport, a plane, train, boat or long car journey.
- Car Seat
- Car window shade
- Light-weight pushchair and pushchair shade
- Blanket or scarf/shawl
- Baby sling/ carrier
- Book
- Sweets to stop ear popping on planes and some snacks for when ‘im hungry’ starts
- Bottled water (make sure to ditch this before security)
- Bottled milk/feeding options
- Earplugs
- Sleeping Mask
- Motion sickness medicine. basic first aid such as paracetamol, plasters, Calpol etc.
- Umbrella (just in case!)
- Keys
- Glasses
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat/ suncream for you and baby
- Changing Bag including wipes (essential!!) nappies, nappy sacks, changing mat, muslins
- Travel Cot (if required)
- New toys for the flight to keep the little ones occupied
- A change of baby clothes and a change of top for you
- A plastic bag for numerous emergency uses
Money and Documents
The most important thing that you need to remember for your holiday is that you have all your money and documents. Without these, you are likely to either not get very far, or end up getting very stuck!
- Travel documents including tickets and hotel reservations
- Hire car documents
- Maps and directions
- Tots Travel Pack including contact details of holiday destination owner
- Passports for all the family
- A photocopy of your picture ID
- Emergency contact info
- Inoculation documents
- Address/phone book
- Medical insurance card (EHIC)
- Travel insurance
- Car insurance
- Wallet
- Cash (both Sterling and destination currency)
- Credit Cards/ Debit Card/ Travellers Cheques
- Passport and Visas
- Driving Licence (card and paper versions)
- Itinerary
Food
- Ready-made formula
- Formula powder/ breast pump
- Bottles/ teats
- Bottle warmer
- Bibs
- Jars and tubs of baby food/ food pouches
- Snacks e.g. raisins or fruit bars
- Any feeding equipment you might need for the journey (bibs, spoons, wipes, beakers)
- Picnic Bag for taking your own lunch to the beach
- Hand-held blender
- Sterilizing equipment
- Child cutlery, bowls, cups and plates
Technology:
- Phone/ tablet/ laptop/Kindle/ video recorder/ iPod/ camera (backed up and charged before you leave)
- Memory cards
- Batteries (if needed, these should be put in your suitcase, not hand luggage)
- Chargers including a power monkey if you’re worried about gadget charging en-route
- Headphones and headphone splitter in case of multiple youngsters
- Universal plug adapter
- GPS and charger (if you’ll need it)
For Baby
- Portable high chair
- Armbands/ pool toys/ pool floats
- Dummies
- Toddler reins
- Beach towels if your hotel doesn’t provide them
- UVA protection pop up tent, if you’re worried about shade being scarce
- Plastic bags ( makeshift bin, for carrying wet clothes, emergency sick bag, the uses are endless)
- Cot and cot linen
- Nightlight (handy for late night nappy changes)
- Fixed high chair
- Booster seat
- Changing mat
- Baby monitor
- Blackout blinds
- Stair Gates
- Potty
- Child Step
- Bath Toys and bath mat
- Bed guard
- Toys and books for your holiday
- DVD player and children’s DVDs
Toiletries
- Lots of nappies, nappy rash cream, nappy bags, wipes, travel changing mat etc.
- Swim nappies
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste and dental floss
- Contact lenses equipment
- Deodorant
- Hand sanitizer
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Sponge, baby wash, baby shampoo and lotion
- A universal travel bath plug, for turning basins into baby baths
- Shower Gel
- Hairbrush
- Cleanser/ moisturiser
- Shaving Cream/ razors
- Perfume
- Feminine hygiene products
- Makeup/ makeup remover
- Talcum powder for getting rid of sand at the beach
- Nail clippers/ nail file
- Tissues
- Sun cream (both adults and baby)
- After sun
- Insect repellent/ after bite for insect bites
- First aid kit including pain relief, Calpol etc.
- Plasters
- Medicines including prescriptions, Piriton, contraceptives, vitamins etc.
- Rehydration sachets
Bags
- Handbags
- Beach bags/day bags
- Changing bag
- Washbag
- Toddler foldable rucksacks/cabin luggage
- Cooler bag/picnic bag
- Airport Trunki
- Medicine bag
- Waterproof bag
Clothes
- A shawl or scarf (can be used as a makeshift sun shelter, blanket, breastfeeding cover for the plane, sarong, need I go on?)
- Cool clothes for baby during the day
- Warm clothes for baby (think night time, chilly departure lounges etc.)
- Socks
- Blankets
- Sleepsuits
- Sun Hats
- Sunglasses
- Goggles
- Underwear
- Socks
- Other sleepwear
- Dressing gown
- Shirts/ Tops
- Jumpers
- Trousers
- Dresses
- Skirts/ shorts
- Jackets/coats
- Swimsuits/ sunsuits
- Shoes (sandals, beach shoes, dress shoes, trainers etc.)
- Belts
- Watches/Jewellery