planning week at cottage- kids are 6, 3, 10 months. packing tips please ?!

[tillergirl]

Hi there,

Newbie from Nova Scotia here

We're all excited about our first ever WEEK away at the end of July....I've packed with one, and with two...but first time with three.

Off to a self catering beach cottage, and all we need to take is food...

Hints on minimalist packing please ??(toys, books, etc)

Pam

outdoor toys for if weather is nice (kites, frisbees etc)
indoor amusements for if it's not
if cottage has washer and dryer take fewer clothes and some washing powder

and twice as much wine as you think you will need

vodka

Swimmers

stairgate - both for stairs and kitchen door. Makes a self catering holiday a lot less stressful.

If the weather is crappy it's good to have a beach ball for indoor play. It's a good way to use energy up when they can't venture outside but it shouldn't cause any damage. Did this with my 2 year old in hotel rooms.

Decent kitchen stuff like a good knife and bottle opener, sometimes they are not the best oh and big mugs if thats what you like too. Extra stuff like bin bags, kitchen roll tin foil etc if you think you might use them.

a ready made casserole or pie for the first night

Balloons and bubble mixture- take up very little space but lots of play value