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?

Nothing! I over pack and when traveling home I always make a note of what I should have brought.

This is me normally but we’re going away in 3 weeks. I’ve lost weight so need lots of new clothes, DD1 currently wouldn’t wear clothes so I don’t know if hers fit and need to get the youngest to try hers on! I have done nothing beyond passports and insurance.

I’ve had that issue too in the past. We always seemed to forget something. What’s really helped us is using a checklist. We also keep a dedicated “holiday bag” with items we usually pack all in one place: a laundry bag; a small pouch with a first-aid kit (Calpol, paracetamol, Lemsip, Piriton, etc.); a wet bag with everyone’s goggles and microfibre towels; a toiletries bag with travel-size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, mouthwash, toothpaste, travel toothbrushes, lotion, and so on; plus another bag with chargers, a battery pack, and travel adaptors.

Thanks so much for all the replies — it’s been really reassuring to see how many of us forget the same things (chargers, suncream, random kid bits…).
I’ve added a lot of what people mentioned here into the little 3-page packing checklist I made for our own holidays (adults, toddlers, and older kids). If anyone would find it useful, it’s here: https://tepward.gumroad.com/l/engwmd

Hopefully it saves someone else that ‘oh no, we forgot _’ moment on the first day!

That’s where I’m going wrong! I also need a list but have one that I modify for each holiday/trip, this did not work very well going to see family in Northern England this winter after a summer holiday somewhere hot. Managed to forget both wellies and gloves.

Same :D I still always manage to forget something though 😅

Swimming goggles.
I lost count of the times I had to buy them whilst on holiday.

I used to forget things and I got a travel planner from Amazon for our last big trip. Really helped actually, and it’s a cute little journal for LOs memory box now.

https://amzn.eu/d/03CCmNLe

I forgot my lonely planet guide book on our most recent trip. Last summer it was vaseline (youngest super prone to nosebleeds, vaseline really helps), one year we went to Lisbon in May and my husband forgot to pack any shorts. We have an excel packing list (for none clothes items) so generally pretty efficient at packing.

Always socks, I thought we had enough as the kids had crocs. But they were rubbing off their feet so I had to go and buy trainer socks for them to wear with the crocs. I also came to realise I brought the wrong outfits for myself. Uncomfortable dresses and tops that never got worn because of the heat. Luckily I had brought a few shorts/top co-ord sets which I re-wore. I saw people wearing some lovely light things in the evening which have inspired me for next time.

My knickers and my nightie. This year I remembered to bring everyone flip flops for getting to/around the pool and everyone was really pleased, so I have added them to my list.

My deodorant. I keep it in the bedroom at home and often forget to chuck it into my washpack last minute.

ESTA 💀

Nothing. I can't go away without planning well in advance by making lots of lists!

DD's hairbrush. I think we forgot it three times in a row.

I have really short hair so don't need one and DD has thick and wavy hair so needs a proper one. At one point she had then one in each wash kit, PE kit, backpack, bathroom and her room, we bought so many.

Same! Ended up in Debenhams in Cyprus buying clothing for the weeks holiday for my daughter 🤣