What do you always forget when packing for holidays with kids?

[BoulderMum]

We travel with young children and I kept forgetting something every single time, so I ended up making a simple 3-page packing checklist for ourselves (adults, toddlers, older kids).

Just curious — what’s the one thing you always forget when packing for family holidays?

one year we forgot goggles

calpol
Somehow it took years for me to realise that DCs might be slightly poorly/have a headache on holiday. Now I make sure to put it in checked baggage (well wrapped in a thick ziplock.

I made a packing list for DCs and let them pack their own!

Armbands
Calpol
Sleeping bag for the baby
Sunhat
Sunglasses
Water shoes
Hair bands and hair clips

(These weren't all forgotten on the same trip!)

I forgot one of the swim vests one year. Well, I say I - my DH left it at the swimming pool on his last trip pre-holiday and I didn't notice when I was bundling all the other swim gear in for all the kids. Only discovered what had happened to it when we got home and realised it wasn't there either!
We've done 3 big holidays, and as far as I can remember, that's the only missing item we've had!

Those dam water shoes mine has a habit of running around wet areas ,i kept telling her she's gonna slip slow down but oml that child. They are good for the overly excited child

sun cream yes you can buy it everywhere but not with my kids skin

calpol sachets are good one to pack

hair bands

funnily enough my walking stick ,i usually lean on the pram so forget

bring a folder with photo copies of everything your tickets, flight details ,car rental ,check list.

Socks

Goggles every time.

enough underpants.

How young are your young kids? I forgot nappy rash cream when mine were tiny.

Pool toys
Pack of cards

Usually I only ever forget something of mine. Once it was my medication abd another time it was my knickers...😂😂😂

Calpol is interesting. I carry a very mini first aid kit with me at all times and Calpol sachets are in it so
I am unlikely to forget it (whether I have enough is a different story). It also has wound cleansing wipes, burn gel, plasters, antiseptic cream, antibacterial wipes, tissues and a few pills for me (paracetamol etc)

Goggles and toothbrushes here!

Probably not that helpful but I once forgot dd’s entire suitcase…

It’s the travel plug adapters 🤦🏻‍♀️

My pants.

Pyjamas

Nothing.

This is when being ND is both a superpower and a curse. I have a running packing list in notes and I start packing about 6 weeks before we go. List gets reviewed after each trip. I’ve got one for UK trips and one for abroad.

I can’t just pack in the few days running up without having an emotional malfunction.

not saying I recommend it but it works for me 😂

I’m here to make sure I’ve got all your things on my list 😂

I think you forget that you don't need as much shit as you've packed. Also twined with forgetting that most travel destinations with small dc are to places where you can buy anything you might forget.

Don't try and plan for all eventualities.

Threadworm tablets and a barrier cream for itchy bums - twice on arrival and first night - muuuuum I’ve got an itchy bum ( and they did) - the last ones went out of date as we didn’t need them

Snap!

This is me!! Last time it was my deodorant and I had to share teen DD’s … which I had reminded her to pack… but forgot my own

Same 😂😂 I have a checklist in my notes that I tick off as I go. I wish I could praise myself for being organised, but it’s because I am the exact opposite that I need such a comprehensive list. That, and ADHD brain means I either pack 4 weeks or 4 hours ahead of a holiday so a list definitely helps, as I either forget what I added 4 weeks ago, or packing last minute means I need a list to check against to make sure I have it all!

Same here! Lists with order of priority and ticked off twice! Xxx

So many of these are exactly why I made the checklist — chargers, socks, random kid stuff…
I kept forgetting the same things every time.

Raincoat! Well I had packed it but she spent 2 days being babysat somewhere at the start and it got left there before we went. Had to buy another

I am a list maker though as well as a light packer. Most of the time I can live without a lot as long as I have the passports and credit card

I was also going to say goggles!

I forgot the towels once in a caravan holiday in the UK. That was expensive to hire towels for the week.