Ultimate Packing List For Holidays With Children

You’ve booked the family holiday away and can’t wait to go – but what about all the packing? When you have several people to pack for, it is no surprise that parents say packing is the most stressful part of the family holiday. To ease the burden, I have compiled a list to help you pack smart for a trip with the kids.

Clothing

I generally find I overpack on clothing. My husband certainly does thinking it necessary to bring 10 pairs of trousers/shorts for ten days away! He needed half that amount – at most. Ideally, pick the clothes you want and then be a bit ruthless and discard a third. I find it handy to have a spare pair of clothes for everyone packed in hand luggage.

– For babies, pack a mix of long and short sleeved outfits. If going on a beach holiday, I resist taking smart clothes because they are usually asleep in the evenings and daytimes are spent around the pool and beach.
– Get older children involved in the packing process, letting them to pick what they’d like to take.

-Make sure you pack some warm clothing such as cardigans and hoodies for the evenings or those cooler days.

– Swim wear. Take a selection and pack some UV50 suits for younger children which have long sleeves to avoid excessive sun exposure.

– Sun hats, sunglasses and any armbands and goggles.
– Travel wash. Brilliant for inconvenient baby eruptions and if you run out of anything.

Health

– Any medicines you are taking
– Thermometer
– First aid kit
– Calpol sachets (make sure you put in hand luggage)
– Mosquito repellent – we use Incognito which is deet free so safe for pregnant women and children.
– Hand sanitiser – have it with you at all times!

Food and drinks

– If breastfeeding take a nursing blanket. If bottle feeding, sterilising bags are great but if you don’t have access to a microwave, Milton tablets are brilliant.
– If weaning, pouches such as Ella’s Kitchen are helpful to have on the go. I always pack breadsticks and rice cakes too.
– Containers for snacks – handy to save some breakfast for later
– Snacks (for adults and children), you can never have enough!! It’s always good to let your children pick some of their favourites to take and don’t forget lollipops for the aeroplane
– Water bottles for all which you can fill up at most airports.

Baby essentials

– Nappies – you don’t have to pack enough to last you for the whole holiday (after all they do sell nappies everywhere in the world) but I usually pack enough to last but if short on space don’t bother unless you like a particular brand, are staying somewhere remote or nappies are likely to be more expensive at the other end.
– Wipes – again you can buy abroad. I take a couple of packs which last over a week.
– Portable changing mat
– Muslins – so versatile, take large and small ones.
– Nappy bags. I have yet to find these in any supermarkets abroad. They are  great all-round bags not just for soiled nappies but for rubbish and dirty clothes as well.

Entertainment

– Babies really don’t need much in the form of entertainment usually their feet and hands keep them well amused. Take a couple of rattles, a teething toy and a comforter/favourite toy and perhaps something familiar like a musical soft toy if it helps them get to sleep.
– If they are a bit older: stacking cups, squirty water toys. small electronic toys and a roll up travel mat come in handy.

– For older children, we always get a children’s magazine at the airport newsagents. It’s a bit of a treat AND they usually come with some cheap plastic toys which they just love! My children also adore Storytime Magazine. It has beautifully written stories in as well as puzzles. It’s a brilliant lightweight alternative to taking lots of books and will be read again and again.
– Sticker books and colouring books are another hit, whether it be on the plane, at dinner and even by the pool. A recent surge in adult books – serving as stress relief – means it can also be something for the adults. We have one which my daughter and I can do together.
– Jigsaws aren’t ideal for the plane but small ones are good during dinner or in the day.
– What did we do before iPads? They really are a godsend – especially when travelling. Load them up with games and favourite TV shows/films.

Travel documents

Make sure you have all the correct documentation with you. This will often include, but is not limited to:
• Passports and visas
• A copy of your travel insurance policy
• Contact details for your insurance company
• Your specific policy number
• Prescription copies
• Travel and hotel booking information and tickets
• European Health Insurance Card
• Currency

Sleeping

– Check if the accommodation has a cot. If not, bring a travel cot or bassinet. We used a Koo-di pop up bassinet for our daughter when she was under three months.
– Sleeping bag – if you are going somewhere with air conditioning you will probably still need a fairly heavy one (2.5 tog) otherwise take a lighter one (if unsure take both).
– A couple of large muslins – great for using as a sheet and also to put on the buggy to keep the sun out. I take a couple of pegs as well to keep it in place.

Cosmetics

– Take your usual skincare products
– Most decent hotels provide shampoo/body wash but if unsure decanter your own into travel bottles, particularly handy for your children’s bath wash. I always take my own conditioner too as it isn’t always provided
– Sun cream for all the family. I use the Arbonne range which is great for sensitive skin and does not cause prickly heat.
– Make-up – just take a few essentials. I barely wear any during the day
– Don’t forget toothpaste, toothbrushes PLUS charger if electric

Gadgets

Phone – check your tariff before you go and buy a overseas bundle if necessary.
– Take several universal chargers, which will adapt your device’s charger to any plug socket in the world.
– Cameras with chargers
–  Phone chargers
– Hair straighteners (optional)
– Spare batteries for cameras and toys

Other good products for travel with kids

– Trunki – good for toddlers, helps tired legs around the airport and is a good focal point to stop them wandering off
– Car seat – if you are hiring a car or getting taxis can be handy to take this although you can usually hire one. We take the Mifold booster seat which is suitable for ages 4 – 12. It is safe, compact and saves money on hiring a car seat for older children.
– Baby carrier/sling – I found the KangaWrap invaluable when travelling with my young daughter.
– TravelSnug – if  travelling long-haul this invention is brilliant as the TravelSnug makes an adult seat, child sized. Check out my review here.
– Towel – If you are going on a beach holiday, I highly recommend the Tesalate beach towel. It’s lightweight, versatile and is sand-repellent (need I say anymore!) as well as super stylish. Easily pops in the luggage (or hand luggage) and is quick drying too. It can also double up as a play mat for babies, a yoga mat for parents (and children) and a picnic blanket.

There you have it – a comprehensive checklist which should theoretically help you when it comes to packing for a holiday with children. Hope it helps! Is there anything you can’t travel without? 

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