Packing for a holiday

[Singinginthesnow]

Hi all

Advice needed please! 2 adults and 4 children. Going to Spain for 2 weeks. I'm thinking we need only 4 maybe 5 outfits each. And extra pants for the younger ones in case of accidents. Dh reckons 7. But it just seems too much for the suitcase. One swim suit each too. We have a washing machine where we are staying and I'm happy to wash clothes.

Is there anything we should pack that we might not necessarily remember?

I'm packing a spare outfit in everyone's hand luggage too as I have heard bad things of suitcases going missing with the airline we are using so we at least have a change of clothes.

Sounds like your holiday will be villa and pool based with outings that are sort of thing you wear trainers for so your plan sounds good. I have 2 family members that won't tolerate flip flops - you can always but something out there ( we have found water shoes can be useful for pebbly beaches , watersports etc. And pack down well.

The pool is around grass and the up and down steps so trainers will be ok. Because I'm worried they will trip on the stairs with flip flops.

I'm quite happy washing. It's only putting in and taking out.

I'm going to keep what I have. I have a spare outfit each in their hand bags and what we are wearing so actually 6 outfits and spare under wear for younger ones.

Why would we need something smart? Dh has smart polo shirts as do the boys and the girls have summer dresses. I only wear maxi dresses. They are reasonably smart. But we aren't planning on going anywhere fancy! And mo beach for us! We aren't beach people! So no samd issue.
I added an extra swim suit for everyone now.

This is absolutely fine!! Have a great holiday

Wow some of you pack so light, im impressed! We’re only away for 1 week this year and I’ve packed an outfit for each day, an outfit for each evening plus a different bikini for every day.
And 6 or 7 pairs of shoes 🤣

This!!!

Only on Mumsnet could you pack for 2 weeks with one swimsuit and 4 outfits 😂

Bonkers.

You couldn't fit a fucking hair in my suitcase when I leave the uk

Why ask if you aren't going to listen
How odd

4-5 outfits each if you have a washing machine is fine. I’d take two costumes each though

And clothes will be dry 30 mins after hanging out in the Spanish heat.

I think you have misunderstood. They mean washing before leaving your holiday accommodation, so you don't have to do it when you get back home.

Enjoy your holiday!

Oh yes! Ofcourse. I will aim to do that too I think!

@NeedToLeaveNow odd isn't it! Yes! Well I listened to what they said and the reasons why and then looked to see if the reasons would apply to me....
So I said I don't mind doing the washing. And now we have 6 outfits each....so actually I did listen.
I gave reasons for why I wouldn't do some things.... I mean I asked for advice. I took the advice that suited me/us and chose the rest of advice that I didn't take didn't suit us but understand it suits others.

Oh wait.... not odd at all!

@NeedToLeaveNow it's not a life decision to get funny about. It was a question about packing. No one is going to be hurt based on my decision. Your comment is odd and now j need coffee. It's too early for this type of comment.

I’m in Spain at the moment on holiday with kids
no cardigans for the evening required
don’t pack sunscreen - cheaper here and readily available
you will live in the pool - 2 swimsuits each / shorts plus RASHVESTS
for DS I have 3 pairs of shorts and 4 t shirts plus 3 pyjama shorts and 4 pairs pants and socks

i have 3 dresses, 1x shorts, t shirts x3, nightie
you do need flip flops or sandals. We also have trainers. Haven’t worn my trainers.
hat, sunglasses each

wear sweatshirts/ a wrap plus trainers on the plane as they are heaviest.

also enjoying a morning coffee OP!
hope you have a great holiday - honestly the kids need very little . Also in a villa and my children live between pyjama shorts and swimsuit.
they can wear the same evening outfit at least 3 times for 2 hours without washing and always want to wear the same anyway! 🤪🤪

@olympicsrock thank you!

Hope you are enjoying yourself. Where abouts are you staying? Is it quite warm in the evening too?

Ah I already bought sun cream! Never mind!

I aspire to be like you OP, am going to try again this year! We have very similar holidays and in reality, all we ever wear are swimming costumes most of the days and we self cater for the majority so only need a couple of pairs of shorts / T-shirt’s / dresses when we venture out.

You never need to pack for more than a week. Is ita pool holiday? Hotel or villa? If pool and villa I would take2-3 swimsuits and 4-5 outfits. If a hotel I would pack 6-7 outfits

When are you going? That seems nowhere near enough clothes to take, even if you are washing? We take a suitcase each and pack a mix of everyones clothes in all suitcases.

For 14 days, I'd take 4 pairs shorts, 4 vest tops, 5 maxi dresses, 2 swimsuits, 2 bikinis, light cardigan, 14 pairs pants, 4 bras, 5 maxi skirts and 5 tops.

It gets hot in parts of Spain through July and August. We went in August 2019 for two weeks and the temp was 38 lowest and 42 highest so had to change tops a few times as they were soaked through with sweat.

Basically, our baggage allowance is around 23kg and our 3 cases are packed to that.

Could any of your DC have their own suitcase, so you can spread the weight?

Depends on where you are and what suncream you buy though.

I've seen Nivea selling for 20 euros a bottle when its 6 quid here and I've seen people buying 4 euro Nivea suncream and burnt because they've got a fake from a shop.

Can't believe people taking two different outfits per day . Maybe my holidays were too simple but for lazing around a pool I would just need a couple of swimsuits and something to throw over when walking to and from the pool .. two or three dresses (total) for evenings and shorts or lightweight trousers for travel & a couple of tops. Plus a cardigan. Surely it's no trouble to chuck a load of washing in the machine if you have you own villa .

No we only have 2 x 20 kilo suitcases. Kids ticket doesn't allow for them to have a suitcase. Only hand luggage. I put a spare outfit in their back packs each

I think that’s enough tbh. We have just come back from Spain and I didn’t wear half the stuff I took. The kids spent most of the time in swim suits Everything dries super quickly and you have access to a washing machine.

@Ragwort that's my think Re washing. It's the easiest chore in the world when there's a washing machine!