Help me survive our first family holiday!

[InkogKneeToe]

4 nights self catering in a caravan, nearby beach and other attractions. DH, DS (will be 16m by then) and I. One medium sized hatchback.

Tips? Essentials? Things you've done/taken that were a complete waste of time? Successes? Failures? Diabolical disasters?

For a caravan holiday I make sure we take a plastic storage box for shoes to put by the door as there is never anywhere to leave them. I also take kitchen essentials e.g. salt, pepper, chilli flakes or whatever you use most, washing up liquid, a couple of sponges, tea towels because I have invariably ended up buying these. And they rarely provide a shower mat which is a necessity for me.
Think through how you will store and tidy stuff in a caravan with limited storage space.
Have a fab holiday.

Don’t take too much food, perhaps do a click and collect order to get from nearby as food ends up taking a lot of space. Often they don’t provide toilet paper in caravans and I always forget tea towels.
Also I find that towels don’t dry well in there so I often take more even though they take up more room as drying with a damp towel is not fun

I was thinking along the lines of dropping DH, DS and bags at the caravan, DH can take DS swimming or something (check in is about 3pm I think) whilst I do a shop.

Washing up essentials – cloths/sponges, washing up liquid, tea towels
Bathroom essentials – in addition to the normal toiletries you’ll need toilet roll & hand wash
Towels – hand towels, bath towels, beach/swimming towels, and a bath mat if you don’t want to flood the bathroom when you have a shower
Kitchen essentials – as well as all the food you plan to eat! you’ll need to buy or bring cooking oil (a spray can type will prevent leaks en route), coffee, tea bags, a sharp knife, a few decent size mugs if you object to using small ones, bin bags, kitchen roll, tea towels
Child friendly kitchenware – we bring a few of their plates, bowls, cups & cutlery
Entertainment – if you’re lucky or have paid enough to have a caravan with a DVD player it might be worth bringing some DVDs, otherwise take board games and books.
Picnic gear if you’re planning on taking a meal down to the beach
Day bag for days out
If it’s easy to pack, bring a highchair or baby seat for any little ones who can’t be trusted to sit on the sofa to eat at the table.
A first-aid kit will always be essential
Pack bits you may want easy access to on the top or towards the top of your bag. After a long journey, you will want a drink before starting to unpack.
Rather than taking full packs of toiletries, consider decanting into small travel-friendly bottles. Less space and easier to clean on your return.
As you’ll be taking a lot of stuff from home, take a checklist to make sure you have packed it back into the car for the return.

see if you can get a supermarket delivery. don't forget things like kitchen roll washing up liquid..
Don't take too many clothes or toys .

Things I occasionally still forget after millions of family caravan hols:
Washing up gloves
Washing up sponges!/fairy liquid
Bin bags
Small container washing powder (not if you're there a short time) or tube of travel wash
Matches! For gas hobs
Bottle opener for wine
My best chopping knife and board (if you're cooking)
Your own pillows? Blankets in case it's chilly
Torch
Something easy for first tea like jars of hot dogs, rolls, some salad.

Have a wonderful time! (Don't forget books and wine- the most important bits, for after children are in bed)

If lo doesn't like showers take a large bucket type thing and fill with luggage.

Take extra bottoms for lo and waterproof rainsuit.

Caravan is only time I use teatowels.

Floor cloth as they get really dirty.

But a cheap flashing toy if there's child entertainment to save you spending £10 in there!

We do an online shop to arrive just after check in. Husband and DCs go exploring whilst I wait for shopping and unpack all luggage. Caravans get pretty hectic if you're all in there trying to get things straight.
Kitchen things I bring from home: tea towels, oven gloves, kitchen roll, dish sponge, bin bags, w.up liquid, hand wash x2 (kitchen and bathroom), clingfilm/foil.
I pack a lot of things in my collapsible crates, I have one for 'entertainment' items, one for beach items, one for kitchen items, keeps things tidy in the caravan and makes it so easy to pack up to go home.
I also find that the oven is always poor, and there are limited baking trays etc. We meal plan carefully to keep things really simple, eg pasta bake with readymade sauce. We plan the food as the shops on site are terrible generally and super expensive.
I would also always take my own pillow, you generally get a very mean thin one!
We never thought we would enjoy these holidays, but if you're organised, we've actually found them surprisingly relaxing!

Just do an online shop; don’t go shopping as soon as you arrive!

Take your own salt, vinegar and ketchup as you're sure to have fish and chips one night, plus frying pan, oil and fish slice if you're into cooked breakfasts as the ones provided are rubbish. Tin foil is handy in case the grill pan is grim, and a baking tray.