Holiday Packing for Toddler - What do I need?

[RicciardoPerez]

First holiday with son next month - off on a cruise to France and Spain for a week.

Aside from the usuals inc first aid kit, suncream, hats etc, what is the one thing that you've come across that you REALLY need to pack?

I have all his clothes, spare bedding for the travel cot, shoes etc, but just wondering if I'm missing something that could actually be something that I should be packing.

Oh and I also have his fave snacks too

I’ve travelled a lot with my kids and honestly, there’s never been a time when I’ve thought ‘I’m so glad I packed…’ or ‘I wish I’d packed…’ The kids and I are always happy with what I’ve managed to remember 🙂

Not sure how old your toddler is but the only thing you’ve not mentioned would be fave small toys/books/a sticker book or something entertaining for the plane. But I’m sure you’ve got all that covered already. Have fun!

One thing we were glad to pack was water shoes as the apartment didn’t have a bath.

Bring more snacks than you think - we found France was shit for low-sugar toddler snacks. They seem to go straight from pureed mush for little babies (which our DS never needed anyway) to full on chocolate-filled biscuits and cakes, with nothing in between.

A thermometer. Didn't have one last week, and had to get another.

Do you have access to a pool? So swimwear +/- swim nappies if so

For us a travel blackout blind was the most important - although it may not be needed if you're sure there are decent blinds/curtains.

Calpol! Thanks to PP for the thermometer suggestion - adding this to my holiday packing list 😊 But Calpol is one thing we've been very glad to have with us in the past.

Calpol, thermometer, teething remedy if they’re not all through.
gro-blind (though on a cruise they should have decent blinds).
Aftersun lotion just in case!
Small toys for the pool/beach - a little watering can, boat, cars.

Sticker book, colouring book, small Lego or play dough set can be useful for when you want some downtime in your room, or when you need them to be occupied so you can sort yourselves out for the day.

A tote bag to carry everything in once you are there and walking around for the day

If you are going on a plane, something that dc will suck on for take off and landing ..so a sippy cup or a candy cane type sweet

A good sunshade for the pushchair, assuming you’ll be taking one.

Thank you so much for the suggestions already :)

UV suits- so much easier than applying sunscreen all over.