Family holiday travel hacks... hit me!!

[BigMacExtraPickles]

We're going away abroad next week, family of 4. Kids are 9 and 6. First time on a plane for my youngest and my oldest won't remember when he was last on one.

What are your top travel 'hacks', lessons learned, essential purchases etc?

I have a EU to UK extension lead and some pool socks for the boys.

What else do I need?

Thanks in advance and any help appreciated.

How long is the flight?
Packing cubes are a game changer
Contrary to popular advice, don’t get to the airport too early, otherwise they’ll be bored before you even get on the plane!
Pack your hand luggage mindful of the fact that you could (heaven forbid) have delays or be parted from your hold luggage longer than anticipated.
Don’t pack anything in your hold luggage that can be replaced. I.e. your children’s favourite cuddly toy that they can’t sleep without.

Sweets to suck when taking off and landing.

Does the airline show movies? If not, Tablets and ear phones for the flight.

Take a mini capsule of concentrated squash like this www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/308858245 I’m forever having to remind my dc to keep hydrated if we go somewhere hot - they could spend hours in the pool without taking a drink. Also, they sometimes complain that the water tastes funny abroad!
If you think you might forget to reapply sun cream, set a reminder on your phone.
Take things for the boys to do in the mornings if they wake early and you want a lie in!
If the hotel has a kids club, sign them up for the very first session of the week so they don’t miss out on the chance to form friendships for the rest of the holiday.

Spare pair of shorts, t-shirt and pants in everyone's hand luggage.

UV tops for the pool
Activities and lots of snacks/drinks for the plane (some old fashioned things like comics/colouring/stickers etc can be fun)
Mini travel games/cards

I used to take a ziploc bag of assorted Lego pieces

Take a handful each and make something using every piece

We all judged the best one.

If you have tablets, get your kids to download shows/movies onto them for the flight (and also for if the wifi is crap when you get there). Take headphones. Also take something for them to do in any airport queues- fidget toy, top trumps, whatever works to offset the boredom.

Snacks for the flight, I take fruit and veg as travel day is otherwise often wall to wall beige food and they happily eat it while plugged into screens.

Water - there are refill stations after security in the airport.

yes to change of clothes and beloved toy in carry on

Medical kit (calpol, plasters, piriton, thermometer, travel sickness tablets etc) And find out if there is a medical clinic/pharmacy near to your accommodation. Just in case.

Take a few things to do during times you are in the hotel room/apartment. Also things to do at restaurants. Card games, paper & pencil, books etc.

Pack a couple of plastic bags for any wet kit on the journey home.

All really really great suggestions thank you so much!

Flight is 4 hours long. Will definitely download shows to tablets I think! Oooh headphones!! Must get them headphones!!!

I have the mini squash too, that is awesome but for me probs not the boys 🤣

ipad and headphones with stuff downloaded for the flight. Empty water bottles through security and refill before boarding. Choose a snack and magazine in the shop. Change of clothes, swimsuits, toothbrushes and sunscreen for everyone in hand luggage so if a checked bag doesn’t make it you can at least chill by the pool and have something clean to wear whilst you wait for it to turn up.

Dental floss to double up as a makeshift washing line if needed

Cup to wee in no doubt one or both will need a wee during take off an landing

Travel sick bands

Water/squash

You can get finger spinner that stick on the plane tray

Wine for yourself (not joking)

Buy a pack of those giant clothes peg clips for keeping towels on sunbeds. They are also good for closing food packages, hanging stuff up, etc.

Oh, and eyemask and earplugs, for plane and hotel room.
Depending on where you are going, take a warm top and leggings. We are in Majorca atm, it is sunny but chilly in the wind. 🌞

If you generally eat a meal at the airport then look into booking a lounge. All food and drinks (except champagne) included, quieter area and plugs to top up devices. It was a game changer for us.

They pack a carry on with a few new trinkets, pencils etc. Bag cannot be opened until they are on the plane. Mine loved this - they knew what was in it and enjoyed the anticipation.

Mine always get a new notebook and they write a little travel diary. When anything happens, including delays there is something to do - "go count how many people are waiting", do the maths on the time, write down their snack, stick i the receipts, write down the food, difference in currency, draw pictures etc. It is one of the nicest things they have left over from childhood.

They do that for each Christmas too.