What to pack for a trip to centre parcs (with 4 and 2yo)

[EverydayIsPJday]

Never been before and we're off in a couple of weeks 😊 very excited. I know we need all the foody stuff etc but was wondering if anyone has any tips that may make it super with the kid's? We may do some activities but not too many (£££) and we have the pool booked each day which is something.

Were off to the Woburn one if it makes a difference.

Thanks

Chalk for the chalkboard (no longer provided in your lodge)
Bird seed - You’ll be almost guaranteed to have animals outside the door of your lodge for as long as you have food – so take lots!
Bucket and spade
Cot linen
Toilet rolls
Kitchen towel
Dishwasher Tablets/ Washing up liquid – depending on the length of your stay, some are provided at the start of your stay but are not restocked.
Bin Liners
Washing up brush/sponge
Disposable barbecue and lighter
Toiletries - While there is a small bottle of shower gel and shampoo per person it isn’t enough to last more than 2 days or so.
Pool towels - You can’t use the towels from the lodge at the swimming pool.Well, you could, but don’t getcaught!
Torch
Bike lock for the pushchair if you’re taking one - all bikes have to be parked in the bike bays, you can’t take them right up to the pool area, restaurants etc, so at times it is easier to have a buggy. A D lock is recommended because of thefts on site.
Bikes or scooters - You don’t need bikes BUT they help you explore.Don’t forget to pack a bike lock too for each bike.
Helmets
Small backpack
Crocs/Flipflops or other easy slip on shoes
Swim nappies
Inflatable swim seat - The pools do have swim vests but they are often too big for small toddlers.
Other inflatables if you have them. You can get them blown up at the kiosks in the pool area.
On our first trip, we found that we had nothing to wrap up our leftovers in or ways to store food in the fridge. Perhaps take cling film, foil or tupperware to store food, leftovers or for your woodland picnic.
If you plan to use the log fire in the lodge, take some smokeless fire logs. Alternatively, you can buy them at the shop.
Take a black out blind if they like it dark to sleep

Dioralyte & lucozade for the inevitable sickness &/or diarrhoea bug. We’ve been twice & were ill both times.

I'm pretty sure there was a Mumsnet Classics thread that covered this...

Booze.

My tip, after recently going. They don't check your pool times, just rock up and give your lodge. We were in for opening every day (super quiet) despite being booking in at 11.30/12.00

Sex lube and a fish slice.

@SirSamVimesCityWatch

Sex lube and a fish slice.

I second this. Exactly what we needed.

@FrownedUpon

Dioralyte & lucozade for the inevitable sickness &/or diarrhoea bug. We’ve been twice & were ill both times.

I've been 8/9 times and never been I'll!

We’ve been a dozen times or more and never been ill either. I take DVD’s for the kids to watch while I make tea if we’re not eating out. I’d also take some toys at those ages for when you’re in the lodge.
Bin bags
Tea towels.
Definitely black out blinds if the 2 year old will nap in the day.

Take a HDMI cable and a laptop if you want to watch your netflix, iPlayer, disney+, whatever account. You have to wiggle the TV off the wall to plug in the cable. DH does it every year

Go to the pool at check-in time (I cant remember if it's 2pm or 3pm). Everyone will head for the lodges so the roads are busy and it can be tricky to get packed. Go swimming as the pool is quiet. Then go have dinner at one of the restaurants then go to your lodge. You can drive to your lodge til 10pm on the 1st day so there's no rush. Go later and the roads are quiet.

£1 coins for the haystack driers.
Extra swimming towels so you have dry ones
Swimming goggles
Extra dishwashers tabs as they don’t give you enough
Chalk for the board - no longer provided
Enough hand soap and toilet rolls for each bathroom and the separate toilet (depending on your lodge layout). They don’t provide toiletries any more apart from a small soap
Salt and pepper
Peanuts for the squirrels deers and ducks - double what you think you need.
Take your own float vests, they do have some but it’s first come first served
Body wash in your swim bags
Drawstring bags for swim stuff you can easily carry over your shoulder/back if cycling

@JemimaMuddledUp

I'm pretty sure there was a Mumsnet Classics thread that covered this...

That’s exactly what I was going to say...

There are no washing machines or washing facilities so pack accordingly. But it is really casual. Can absolutely go straight for dinner after swimming and nobody will care.

Things like sheets for cot, etc double up on I made you do need clean ones.

Plastic bird feeder to stick on window.

I came on to say lube 😂😂

@Borris you’re not the only one! Ahhh the chuckles...

I have just returned from Whinfell today. Just take whatever you use daily at home and don't forget Calpol.
We took towels for the pool.
Don't forget gloves if you are cycling as it is still cold
Plasters
We bought some vaseline for chapped lips in the shop and they sell chalk for the board
We ate in Cafe Rouge on the last evening. The food was dreadful. Avoid.
Back packs are good. Don't do what I did and leave them behind :(

Enjoy !

My best tip is to buy a plastic see through bird feeder that sticks to the French doors (Amazon 5er or home bargains), a tonne of bird seed and a load of monkey nuts. We went to whinfell recently and had several dears, loads of red squirrels, loads of birds of all varieties including pheasants and ducks, and on both evenings a very hungry badger. It was amazing and kids loved it!

Take a separate bag/back pack for swim stuff

Thanks everyone I'm forming quite a list!

Not the live though already have some 😉

Lube 🤦