Essentials to take for 2 year old

[holidayingnewbie]

Booked a holiday abroad for me, DH, DD(5) and DS(2). We've been together over 10 years and never been abroad together.
I've not booked any checked bags but I think I might need to to take a stroller?
Does anyone have a foolproof checklist of essentials?

Yes you need a stroller. Take a light weight one. I hope your DC has a passport?

if going somewhere hot, take rash vests, sun hats and sun cream (Boots is cheaper than most holiday places), pool or sand toys, cover for buggy (sun shade or similar).

toys and snacks for flight. Emergency kit incl calpol, antiseptic wipes. Nappies and wipes.

Oh yes you definitely need checked bags. How will you manage with hand luggage only? Even carrying 3 big pieces of hand luggage, a stroller and looking after 2 small kids at the airport is going to
be a nightmare.

Have a cheap device with downloaded shows for the kids for delays and the flight. You can get a fire for kids for £60.

Get a suitcase!!! Then as mentioned new bath toys for the pool and beach. Sun cream as it can often be expensive in resort. Definitely calpol and emergency kit. Pre loaded cartoons for the plane and treats. Juice or water in a sippy cup when landing for ears. A lightweight stroller is a god send especially for naps. Then go and have a fantastic time!

Long sleeve UV rash vest (ideally in red, orange or pink). Legionnaire type sun hats.
Travel wash so you can take fewer clothes.
Most resorts now have pool toys that others have left, but we bought some sinkies from Amazon which kept DS and loads of kids occupied for hours last year.
Towel poncho.
Travel first aid kit.
Tablet - great for some quiet time by the pool.
Tupperware - if not all inclusive, we make up a little snack box from the breakfast buffet of croissant, fruit, muffin etc that DS would then eat mid morning.

Good lord woman.

How are a family of 4 going on holiday abroad with only hand luggage? 😲

Aren't you taking nappies, clothes, a few toys, swimming stuff and float vests (if swimming), flip/flops sandals, coats, sunscreen etc?

You definitely need at least one checked luggage. Why struggle getting on and off the flight with over heavy hand luggage plus 2 kids.
Yes to the stroller.
Nappies, wipes, toiletry bag with calpol, first aid kit, sun cream etc.
Portable potty if they require it.
I also stash a box of snacks in my hold luggage for DC. Saves hunting around supermarkets sometimes.

Assuming somewhere hit and a family friendly/all inclusive type place

• sunscreen - good waterproof stuff.
• Calpol/ nurofen for kids
• sun hats (legionnaire if possible.for kids)
• swimming stuff including swim nappies for 2yo if required.
• flip flops/crocs
• Nappies
• water bottles
• day bags
• easy portable, non perishable snacks that you know your kids will eat such as cereal bars / cheddars
• poncho type towel for beach and/or pool 1 each for kids
• a few books, small toys
• Jackets for evenings /windy days
• phone chargers and adapters
• cash in currency / post office travel card
• details of hotel/transfers
• pre-book car parking at airport

Oh dear, I see my mistake!! I knew I needed some help! I've only ever been away solo.

I was thinking those trunki bag things might be enough for the kids but I've underestimated a lot!
I'll book some checked bags now. Does the stroller count as a checked bag?

No. It doesn't I don't think.
And you should be able to take it all the way to the gate and they'll load it last.

Trunki bags are a bit of a pain in the arse TBH.

No the stroller is free - and car seats too if you need those.

Two suitcases between you should be fine, could get away with one if you are really light packers but id do two unless they are mega £££

Depending on who you are flying with check REALLY carefully what size carry on are allowed anyway - trunki aren't allowed on some unless you pay extra.

Also, depending on the holiday. You might want to take a car seat with you for each kid.
But check the rules if the country you're visiting.

Also both kids will need their own passport.
Get your GHIC cards sorted too. Ake sure you have travel insurance

Know how you're getting to and from airports both in UK and abroad.

Would probably be helpful to know where you are going and what type of holiday.

Trunkis are a nightmare and something extra to shlep around. Ours broke after the first flight. Never again.

Buy travel insurance now
Backpacks are better than trunkis as hand luggage
Be very careful with hand luggage measurements, lots of airlines are getting really strict and will make you pay to put a bag into the hold.
Take suncream (lots) with you, that is very expensive abroad
UV suit/top and bottom, legionaire hat, proper UV sunglasses for the children
Swim nappies - again expensive otherwise
Water shoes, sand can be either very hot or the beach maybe gravel/stone/pebble
First aid kit incl. bite cream, calpol, thermometer, plaster
Put some new magazine or similar into the suitcase for the flight back