Holiday abroad - what to get for 8yo dd?

[charliewww]

I wasn't sure where to post this!

I'm taking 8yo dd on her first holiday abroad for a week in the summer. We are going to Greece all inclusive with a swim up room, and it's right on the beach. We won't be doing much, just relaxing for the week.

It might be a stupid question but what do I need to pack for her? Obviously the usual clothes, swimming costume, sun cream etc. but is there anything I wouldn't necessarily think of? I'm going to buy her a towel poncho and some sliders for around the pool.

I rather suspect MN’s name-change feature has come into play!

Some great suggestions here (minus the reins), my kids loved Uno.
Have a nice time, OP. Exciting 🤗

We recently went the first aI holiday abroad with ds who is 7 (plus dd12). We took a lilo and donut ring plus a couple of small buckets and spades etc and towels no problem and we only had 15kg each baggage allowance. Although I guess that was split between 4 of us not 2. We even managed to fit our pop up beach tent in for shade, save us paying for loungers and umbrellas on the beach, although if your hotel is on the beach maybe they are included for you. Last time we went when my eldest was little we bought a parasol out there and passed to another family when we left.

We have travel microfiber towels from mountain warehouse which are light and dry quickly so useful for camping, holidays and beach days.

for DS I was glad we took an activity pad am a sticker book, as he used these on the plane and every afternoon when we were taking it in turns to shower and he wanted some quiet time. Comics, books, small games such as uno and dobble etc also useful.

One thing we did this time was get a free month trial of audible and download a harry potter book for the kids to listen to on headphones on the coach etc. We did this because ds gets travel sick so wanted Something he didn't have to look down at. We didn't get one 'are we nearly there yet' the whole transfer! I also found an audio book on headphones good for me by the pool because I could watch kids and listen!

A travel adaptor plug which has a couple of USB ports on it is useful for charging multiple phones overnight.

I wished I'd taken a nail scissors as the amount of little things was could have used it for (threads on clothes, rags etc) was surprising!

Sainsbury have 20% kids wear at the moment.

Might be worth bring some laundry washing liquid if you want to limited the clothes you are bring.

Do you walk around with your kid on reins in UK also in New cities? At 8 you can explain to your child... how will your child go off and play when you are being so over cautious

I've bought some inflatable pool hammocks for our holiday later this year as we have a private pool and I'm expecting the temperature to be roasting, so I am planning on spending quite a substantial amount of time lazing in the pool, rather than on top of it on a lilo!

These are what I've bought. As they're inflatable they take up hardly any room in the suitcase.

Think about what she'd want to do if you're sitting by the pool or in the room. Colouring/activity books, games, etc. What does she do at home to keep herself entertained?

@charliewww LaRoche Posay is the only I’ve found that I’m ok with.

You should probably bungee cord yourselves together

Don’t think reins would have helped there.

Thank you, it's probably the same price as the Vichy we buy. I use LRP as my facial SPF every day I wish we could use the Aldi ones are they are meant to be good!

I would get some toys that can be used in water.
Mine loved those things that you throw in the pool and sink so you have to dive to get them.

Another great thing we have is a toypedo.

It's like a rocket that you can 'throw' to each other under the water. Great fun.

Also a ball for playing catch in the water.

Insect spray, piriton and the kids equivalent and paracetamol... it always amazes me that you cannot by drugs you'd buy cheaply in a supermarket here unless you treck to a chemist and spend a fortune.

Something to entertain you of an evening once she is in bed, not to bad if you have a balcony but sitting in the bathroom on your phone as she needs it quiet and dark to sleep only lasts so long without irritation!

A light long sleeved outfit for the inevitable sunburn and need to keep out of the sun. I've always take a couple of light shawl/wrap kind of things to drape over overheated bits - kid or adult!

I would pick up a couple of spare charger cables. Nothing worse that a charger cable that stops working.

Long sleeve rash vest.
Sun hat.
liquid paracetamol
dioralyte

My girls like to have a purse or shoulder bag on holiday to put their pocket money in.

And lovely new books to read.