Away over Christmas with limited luggage - what to take as presents for dcs?

[newlark]

We're travelling and visiting relatives in NZ over Christmas and will have very limited luggage space. We're planning to do main presents at home before and after we go (e.g. from UK relatives) but will want to do christmas stockings for dd (8) and ds(6) and one or two smallish presents there (since they know that Santa visits NZ too ).

Any suggestions for compact and light presents that they can either use there or will be good for the flight home (30 hrs...)? I don't want to cart things to the other side of the world and back for the sake of it e.g. we won't have a dvd player so no point in taking a dvd they can't watch. So far I have thought of travel board games and colouring pens/book.

Which travel board games are good for planes e.g. don't have loads of tiny pieces to lose?

When do you arrive and when do u leave NZ? Have u thought about new swim wear / wet suits / towels to use on holiday. Other ideas, Story stones, make your own friendship bracelets, rubix cube, you could go all out in a hand held game machine 3DS, new sun glasses, uno.

Inflatable microphone/guitar/beach ball good for packing down small but looking big once opened

Books

Small toiletries?

Possibly even cheapie digital cameras?

What about a cheap tablet and headphones each, with stuff downloaded? Very useful for the long flights.

And yes, stuff for the holiday.

I've found Carddies to be brilliant on holidays - a little box containing cardboard figures and a scene to colour in, plus pencils. I thought they were expensive when I bought some last year for long haul trip for my dd and ds who are now 9 and 6 ( I got them a family each) but they have been worth their (light!) weight in gold and still get brought out and played with.

Also moshi monsters are popular travel toys with my two, can be used to invent lots of games. Plus a pack of playing cards - usborne do a good one that includes rules for about 6 games. Crocodile Creek do nice travel jigsaw puzzles in a packet too.

Was also going to recommend carddies and Dobble

Loom bands are quite light, and could be done on journey.

How about a camera each so they can take photographs of their trip?

Thanks for the ideas - I will look at all of them. Dd has already asked for a camera for her birthday which is before we go. Loom bands are a great idea - they've been quite into them this summer but if they haven't done them for a while and have some lovely new colours that might go down well (and they can make bracelets for the cousins we'll be seeing). I've not heard of Carddies and Dobble - they look good! Dh and I both have tablets which the children have a couple of games on that they can play - a bit reluctant to get them their own this young - hoping to hold out for a couple more years

-Sweets and a tangerine ( can eat before going home) - and can buy in aus and wrap!

• sun hat ( can wear there and wear home)

• bubbles (can use up there)

• new Tshirt

• small Lego set ( can take home in hand luggage and play with on plane)

• small pencil/ pen set tin ( can take on plane), plus notebook

• new book ( can read there and in plane) - roald Dahl . Or small where's wally.

how about a portable dvd player?