Holidaying with toddler tips!

[lilyflower1803]

Hi!
I have a 16 month old, she's amazing but we are in full blown toddler mode now.

What are your holiday must haves for travelling abroad (we are going to Spain in a week)?

Must haves for the plane, beach, convenience, food etc

Thanks so much!

We took one of these: www.argos.co.uk/product/4492645?clickSR=slp:term:feeding%20booster%20seat:1:27:1 as hardly anywhere seemed to have high chairs. Maybe that's just where we were staying though.

For the journey I would have some transportable toys that she hasn't seen before (or at least for a while). Save some for the return too. A popper fidget toy could work. Water books are very transportable if she's old enough for them.. Saying that, the main entertainment for my DC for the flight was taking things in and out of my handbag. We downloaded some episodes of toddler friendly programmes but tried to save them as a last resort distraction rather than starting off with them IYSWIM. I think that helped avoid any public meltdowns..

Was quite good having tapas as had lots of food options to try. Most supermarkets there do ready made Spanish omelette things that you can eat cold or heat up if you want. They're tasty and went down well with our toddler as quite bland.

Swim things that cover as much skin as possible are good as limit area to apply sun screen.

A friend recommended to take their bedding from home so where they sleep is as familiar as possible.

You'll probably know this, but think you get a free baby item that you can take on the plane. I'm having a blank about what our item was but vague memory of stuffing it full of nappies. And could take our buggy right up through terminal to the plane then someone took it to put it on.

If I can think of any other tips will post. Have a lovely holiday!

Which airport are you flying from? A lot of the bigger airports have a little soft play area. Try and work it so that your dd sleeps on the flight, even if it’s just for an hour or so.
Take plenty of distractions and snacks. Don’t bring the distractions out all at once, and be prepared to repeatedly cycle through them!
If necessary, walk the aisles with your toddler and hang out in the galley when you can.
Gate check your stroller.
Take a spare set of clothes for the plane.
White noise and a nightlight for your room might be useful.

Books, snacks and toys. Does she walk airports are excellent for practicing (flat and safe) and then hopefully will sleep on the flight. Sun hat and sunsuit, plenty of swim nappies. Don't bother bringing food , Spain is excellent for children. Encourage a long Siesta it will be super hot in the middle of the day.

If she is an early riser, don't expect her to sleep in, even if you are out later than normal. DD kept the same waking up hours, she just discovered the love of siesta.

For the plane - books, toddler magazines (they were the absolute treat in our house). Keep anything she can't go without, blanket, stuffed toy, in your handluggage, not hold. Take some new stuff for the flight back.

We always took some of her snacks with us for the flight but in Spain you will find lots of things she will like. They mainly sell UHT milk so DD didn't drink any and got her dairy from really nice yoghurts. Fresh fruit and water did cause some nappy explosions though.
We went to a lot of tapas places and always found something she liked. Children are well catered for in a way that you will find something for them and they aren't seen as a bother.

UV suit and swim nappies, I found them quite expensive.

Thank you for all the input everyone- it has really helped me thinking about some things to ease the trip a bit! My daughter is milk free so I worry about that element due to having a milk allergy.

I have seen specific uv baby tents for the beach- has anyone used one of those or do beach umbrellas work just as well!?

Our flight is at 7am so I reckon she will sleep in the car on the way there and then be fully awake for the flight 😅