Children may be small, but their packing lists are mighty. To keep them entertained, comfortable and mess-free while on the go is no easy feat. Luckily, our partnership with children’s party people Sharky & George means we have the entertainment box ticked with our family fun packs. We’ve put our brains to work for the rest, so read on to discover the essential and easy-to-forget items to pack for your next family holiday.
Essential
First aid kit
Scraped knees, bug bites and sunburn are synonymous with children and holidays. And while copious creams and sprays do their best to prevent them (there’s no stopping scraped knees), sometimes they’re not enough. So, when the unavoidable happens, ensure you’re stocked up on after-sun, bite-relief cream and plentiful plasters.
Snacks
Travel days can be long, and with hungry children in tow, they can feel even longer. Calm backseat hunger-fuelled quarrels by stocking up on the youngster’s favourite snacks, and when they run out, expand your snack-culture knowledge and buy local treats. However, save the packed snacks for desperate times on the go. During our family event with Sharky & George, we heard straight from the horse’s mouth that a holiday highlight for children was a decent hotel breakfast buffet. Turns out they don’t need much to be wowed after all.
Extra outfits
As much as we wish they didn’t, old habits die hard, even when abroad. Little ones are always susceptible to spillages, and you don’t want to be the sticky centre of attention on a safari, in a museum or at dinner. Throw in a few extra t-shirts for a fool-proof way to pretend that bowl of pasta didn’t just find a new home down a white shirt.
Image by Claire Guarry.
Entertaining
Family fun packs
Little brains have big imaginations, and we can help inject fun and provide a much-needed distraction during those ‘I’m bored’ travel moments. As part of our partnership with Sharky & George, every child aged three to ten receives one of our family fun packs, including an interactive world map, a travel journal for daily doodles and a booklet packed with destination-related quick quizzes and fast facts.
Underwater camera
Savour marine memories and turn your youngsters into budding sea life photographers with an underwater camera. Cheap, durable and oh-so kid-friendly, these little gadgets provide hours of fun during and after your holiday. Whether you’re snapping sea creatures or silly faces, photo albums will never look the same.
Easy to Forget
Night light
There’s no shame in being afraid of the dark, and in unfamiliar places, it can seem even scarier. Settle after-dark worries with a nifty night light, small enough to slip into your suitcase and bright enough to add a comforting glow to hotel rooms.
Reusable bags
Dirty clothes and rubbish build up quickly with children, so having somewhere to store them when on the go is essential. Throw in a few reusable bags to stash rubbish for later disposal or to store dirty clothes until they can be washed and (hopefully) made stain-free.
Travel adaptor and portable charger
Phones, cameras and other gadgets are handy holiday essentials, but only if they’re full of juice. Packing a travel adaptor and a portable charger are easy-to-forget items your youngsters will thank you for when they’re halfway through a film an hour into a road trip. Ensure you’ve checked the country’s plug shape, as the wrong travel adaptor is worse than no travel adaptor – trust us.
Written by Evie Buller | Header Image by Brigit Sfat.
