First family holiday

[mnahmnah]

Hi

DH and I travelled plenty before kiddies, but at Easter we are going on our first sun/beach holiday abroad as a family. It’s been 7 years since we did this type of holiday and now we’re going with our two boys, age 6 and 1. I just want to check what tips any of you can give us? I’m constantly going over and over what I need to sort out! So far I have requested a cot and ground floor room. We have an umbrella pushchair to take. The plane journey is nearly 5 hours (Gran Canaria), so i’ll take plenty of snacks and distractions. We have sunsuits for DS2. Any other tips of what to take or how to make the whole holiday easier? Thanks!!

If your room doesn't have tea and coffee making facilities perhaps take a travel kettle for when the kids crash out and you are in the room?

Ooh yes! And Yorkshire tea! Thanks

Anything to make it easier dealing with the boys?

Take flasks, bottles etc/ cartons of juice in hand luggage. Any food favourites? It can be very warm there then but also windy so check sun factor. Mosquito cream?

Check out where your nearest bike rental and see if you can hire bikes for the duration of your stay or at least for part of it. It will save you from driving and increase the scope of where you go for days out. Consider a baby seat and/or tag along bike. Many bike hire companies can drop bikes at your accommodation and pick up again.
Find out what channels are available on the TV at your accommodation. You may need to pack some kids DVDs if there is nothing English.
Teach your 6yo how to say thank you in Spanish. They'll love saying it and waiters waitresses and shop keepers will love them. It got my kids free ice cream!
Show your children online pictures of your accommodation and the nearby places that you'll visit so that they're prepared and not worried. Use books or online photos to explain the process of going through an airport too. It will make it quicker and easier if they know what's coming and what they have to do.

Locate your nearest supermarket and see if you can shop online and get it delivered for when you arrive.
Check out where your nearest bike rental and see if you can hire bikes for the duration of your stay or at least for part of it. It will save you from driving and increase the scope of where you go for days out. Consider a baby seat and/or tag along bike. Many bike hire companies can drop bikes at your accommodation and pick up again.
Find out what channels are available on the TV at your accommodation. You may need to pack some kids DVDs if there is nothing English.
Teach your 6yo how to say thank you in Spanish. They'll love saying it and waiters waitresses and shop keepers will love them. It got my kids free ice cream!
Show your children online pictures of your accommodation and the nearby places that you'll visit so that they're prepared and not worried. Use books or online photos to explain the process of going through an airport too. It will make it quicker and easier if they know what's coming and what they have to do.

Thanks so much! Hotel has WiFi, so DS1 can take his tablet to watch programmes. He already knows basic Spanish words thanks to Dora the Explorer! We’ve also shown him
pictures of where we’re going, including videos of the nearby water park. He’s been through an airport once before too. But I will remind him of all this! Bikes are a great idea thanks. Will definitely look into that.

I’m more concerned about the 1 year old. Am I missing anything that makes life easier with a tiny one???

We are going for first time in few months with my now 14mo. Would love to know what happens with pushchair ? If you have to hand it in with baggage that's a long time walking carrying two stone baby for us?

We’re going with Jet2. I spoke to them yesterday and we can keep the pushchair right up until boarding!

Take very high factor sun cream and a collapsible beach shade. Also be prepared to apply and reapply as the six year old will no doubt keep wiping it off in the water.
On the morning of the holiday, give a little backpack with colouring things and snacks in for the plane.

Beach shade! Great idea 👍🏻 i’m pale and freckly so obsessive about suncream anyway

If you haven't got a beach shade that you can take with you, there's bound to be shops there that sell cheap ones that will be fine just for your holiday. Bit of a waste but might be less hassle.

I know it's obvious but- sudocreme, calpol (and syringe), plasters, antiseptic wipes, dioralyte, etc. I used and still do with dioralyte etc, take enough to last a week for each person. It may sound ott. But if, god forbid, both your little ones go down with a tummy upset, you will need enough for both. Obviously you can buy stuff over there, but it's saves takin the poorly little ones to a chemist etc.
Sunhats and sandles- and make sure the sandles are not like material under the foot, because if they get them wet and then you need to put them back on it isn't pleasant.
I'm trying to think but I think you have most of it covered to be honest.....

Brilliant thanks! It is the little things you often forget isn’t it? So thanks for the reminders!