Tips & tricks for holidaying with young children

[TheMindfulMum]

We have our first family holiday this summer. Plane. Sun. Sand. Sea. Can't wait!

What tips and tricks can you offer to make the holiday run that bit more smoothly? What should I take with me?

So far I've been told to take a collapsible laundry basket for the apartment and kids sun lotion that doesn't sting their eyes when it runs into them with all the swimming. Kids are 5 & 7.

Get a 2 bedroom apartment so you can put kids to bed and have space and peace. Or better still a 2 bed apartment in an all inclusive hotel so you don't have to think about meals.
I cannot for the life of me think why you would take a laundry basket on holiday?

Second the 2 bed apartment..and the confusion over the laundry basket?!

My LG is younger but I love the swim costumes that have arms and legs so less exposure to the sun...I don't know what the actual name for them is haha! You get one piece sets or a top and trouser set

Snacks for the plane and activities aplenty!

Don't worry too much about bedtime schedule but do allow for rest breaks/downtime.

DD will go hell for leather all morning, or all afternoon but if we try for a big day full from early till late then we're guaranteed to end up with meltdowns, crying, whinging and general unhappiness, add in heat and more sugar than normal and you could end up regretting your day.

I think the suggestion was so that dirty laundry could be kept in one place rather than strewn around the apartment maybe? It was one of those fold down into itself net things so took up no space but I guess a bag would work just as well!

Yes the UV suits, I know what you mean. And two piece apparently to make loo visits quicker abs easier!

Great advice, thanks. I can see a full day leading to the same problems for us so I'll take your tips on board. Thanks!

I agree with the net laundry basket makes things so much tidier.

Also rash vests for all the family from decathlon is what you need for the sun protection - saves a fortune on sun lotions and much easier and more effective. And the sun cream solid sticks - like a twist/push up deodorant style for faces as they don't sweat/melt off.

Talcum to get sand off feet. Also decathlon microfibre towels for the beach. So light, fold up tiny and dry fast.

Multi-way extension for charging means only need one eu (or wherever) adaptor.

My plane advice is really only if you have any under 5s... always take a carrier. Even if you check the buggy at the gate some of the arrival airports won't give it back there and you may have a long walk to find it at baggage claim.

If self catering or wanting to do any eating/snacks in room of an evening then chuck in a few plastic plates/bowls (I take the ikea ones everywhere). And possibly a corkscrew for the grown ups as not all countries have adopted screw cap wine!

If you will arrive at an awkward time then pack emergency snacks like cereal bars so no one is starving.

You're a pro! Thank you so much 😊

I'm off for a look around the decathlon website!

I just put dirty washing in a drawer/shelf in the wardrobe. A basket takes far too much space in the suitcase.

DD wore the UV suits only on the beach, never in the water. She hates the feel of fabric when wet.

Hats, hats, hats. Proper sunglasses as well.

Take some new books with you, some magazines you may never buy normally and small toys. Some colouring in or sticker books and downloaded movies/TV-series are also good for siesta time. Always have some things in your suitcase for the flight back, you pay a premium for english speaking books/magazines.

Some tupperwear boxes for snacks, you need to keep open packages in one as well, we had ants in biscuit packs one year.

Definitely rash vests for the kids. I use empty shopping bags for the dirty laundry. Buy sunscreen at your location and get a waterproof factor 50+. Don't forget to apply it on the feet! Don't get wet to rinse the sand off, it brushes off easily when dry. The sun s really strong between 12 & 4 pm so take that into consideration. Have a spare set of clothing in your carry-on in case the luggage gets lost.

Not talc!!! It’s bad for all the wee sea creatures and gets mixed in with the sand and back into the sea. Just be sandy.
My advice is packing cubes. All the way. And one you use for laundry (actually I have one massive v light bag that is an oversized delicates bag for the washing machine which is perfect as a laundry bag). Including one packing cube that is for the first evening of arrival if you arrive slightly late, or has the immediate day stuff for when you arrive and the kids are hopping up and down wanting to explore and get into the pool!
emergency set of clothes in hand luggage or mixed across the hold luggage incase something goes missing.
Spare sun hats for small people.
mosquito repellent just in case?

I like a separate uv top with long sleeves they can put on and off over their swim suits. And I get 2 pieces for girls so they don’t have all that uncomfortable wet fabric over their tummies.

6+ calpol chewable tablets
your own thermometer

Take two water bottles from home with you then buy a five litre bottle of water and a bottle of diluting juice. Probably cost you about three Euros but saves forking out for fruit shoots constantly (unless your AI obv).

Following- some great tips here
Thank you all!