Centreparcs packing list help!! I'm bound to forget something!

[Lilliput]

I have a massive list of things to pack for our midweek break at centreparcs and then on to MIL for the weekend. I feel as though there is bound to be something I forget. Any tips or things you wished you'd taken to centreparcs but didn't realise you needed it until you got there? (iyswim)

condoms

Nice idea, but I am fully protected thanks.

No you will be too knackered to use those!!

Washing up liquid (am too stingy to buy it in the shop then leave it there!!)

Arm bands, swim nappies ?

I can't believe I didn't have arm bands and swim nappies on my list, thanks

Rubber gloves,
couple of tea towels,
small containers of salt/ketchup/sugar/olive oil etc,
washing up liquid
a decent knife if you're going to cook
clothes pegs,

baby wipes,
Calpol, teething gel
favourite story books, tapes/cds and cuddly toys,
Maybe percussion toys, scissors and glue, colouring books and crayons for rainy days,

camera, binoculars

And for you:-

A good book for you to read (hahaha)
Your favourite bath oil or similar treat
Nice earrings for a date with dh

HTH

bath mat for inside the bath!!

rucsac to carry everything to pools etc

Definitely a sharp knife if you intend to cut anything!

Have fun, don't worry too much, there is a shop.

They don't supply bath mats for the bathroom floor either, your own pillows and a blanket to put under the sheets as the beds are so hard.

wellies and bird food/nuts for the birds and squirrels that will come right up to your door to feed

Soap
Stairgates - for kitchen and then you can put them on child's door at night.
We even took black out linings for the windows as ds kept getting up way too early
Waterproofs and torch
Loads of empty bags that can be used as bin liners (or just bin liners!)
Baby wipes - wipe down highchair and stuff before use as they can be a bit minging

Definitely a couple of extra pillows and blankets to pad out the bed a bit.

Crikey, when we've been to Center Parcs in the past we've taken half the house, but honestly found we needed it. Also found it was cheaper if we took plenty of basics with us like jars of sauce, tins, pasta, rice, tuna etc to add fresh stuff to from the supermarket down the road.

Music for the CD player, toilet roll, condiments, snacks, wet weather gear, indoor stuff to do, definitely a camera, soap powder for hand washing the odd thing. Are you taking your bikes? Don't forget your locks and helmets if you do, or even if you're hiring. They give you locks when you hire a bike, but they're a wee bit flimsy.

And most importantly don't forget your oh-so-important list of why your children don't need to do the 101 expensive things on offer- and practice repeating beforehand.

Top tips we found when we went last year:

If you go and play badminton in the early evenings there is never anybody on the courts and they let us play for free each night.

Crazy golf's pretty cheap and good fun. But don't get hoodwinked into hiring a putter for everyone. Just hire a couple and share.

But then I'm a cheapskate...

Have a fab holiday, we're going again next March and I can't wait.

all of the afore mentioned plus:
torch and batteries for walking back to lodge at night
dishwasher tablets
activity books/crayons etc for kepeing them occupied in high chairs whilst waiting for food
sorry if I've repeated anything

dispoable bbq as hideously expensive in their shop & lots of wine, towels for the swimming pool

We cooked rather than ate out and really missed a garlic press. Also their pans were much too small for 4 adults.

Logs for fire?

And big heavy coats - seems to have its own climate there!!!!
Dishwasher tabs, wash up liquid (hate leaving 3/4 bottle behind!)
And if you're really lazy like me, take tin-foil too, to line the grill pan with - makes it easier for the washing up.
A bicycle lock or two if you have them - otherwise you pay 4 quid for a new one or something like that
TWO rucksacks to bring things to the pools - towels always expand on the way back!
Favourite teddybears, so the kids can go on the Teddy Bears Picnic!
Lots and lots and lots of wine......

loo roll (there's is the thin stuff and it runs out quickly!)

or even theirs!

Message withdrawn

Lilliput and everyone- word of advice re; swim nappies.
Dont do as I did last night and decide to use up the last swim nappy as you have run out of nappies. Put Ds to bed in it and woke to found small drenched boy and cot!!
How is it they are not waterproof? Confused!

I would always pack lots of bike lights in future. The adults used to have a g&t at 5-6pm and the kids would all grab a bicycle light, we'd turn the lights off, put some fun music on and have a disco...it was their highlight of the night and became a nightly ritual for the whole time we were there...adults chilled with their gins, kids revved it up with the light swishing...everyone happy!

pillows torch and your cot bedding.

at not supplying bath mats (at least for the outside of the bath!) and crappy (excuse the pun) loo roll. After all it's not like CP is that cheap really!

Still would like to go when DD is a little older though

Hope you have a really lovely time Yorkiegirl, we go on Monday to Whinfell and I'm on here ignoring the ironing pile that need to get done before I can pack.

Yorkiegirl & Lilliput, sorry forgot my manners - have a lovely time at both of them. We are not far from Sherwood and hope to give it a try sometime....

We're off to Whinfell tomorrow.

Need to get packing!