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Original poster

travelling light with 3 under 7's... tips please !

18 replies

ruffletheanimal · 21/02/2010 12:35

ive just booked flights for a 5 day trip to stay with a friend in spain for easter hols.
i am taking me, and my boys; 6, 5 and 4yo
i want to do it with no checked baggage
and i want to get about by public transport once im there

d'you reckon i can get by with taking;
2 changes of clothes each (soft stuff will fold small)
jackets worn by each
toothbrushes and paste

what else do we actually NEED??

am i living in lala land or heading for a smug, non-laden-down-with-tons-of-crap journey each way??

OP posts:
Original poster
ruffletheanimal · 21/02/2010 12:56

[tumbleweed]

OP posts:
mumoverseas · 21/02/2010 13:26

2 changes of clothes each? are you serious?

Original poster
ruffletheanimal · 21/02/2010 13:33

yeah... i can handwash t shirts at night and dry them on radiators, no?? maybe an extra t shirt each (they hate wearing jumpers so a light one and their jackets only will be all they'll wear anyway - and thats if its freezing AND im lucky - they dont seem to feel the cold weirdly.

OP posts:
Original poster
ruffletheanimal · 21/02/2010 13:33

i take it youre in the im mad as a cut snake camp then?

OP posts:
KnickKnack · 21/02/2010 13:46

I do this most summers, hand luggage only for me and 2 kids (similar age to OP)

usually
2 shorts,
2 tshirts,
flipflops or crocs,
1 slightly smarter outfit for out to dinner (light trousers and short sleeve shirt)
light pj's
toothbrush/mini toothpaste
swimsuit

they carry a small backpack each with a selection of tiny toys/drawing stuff, fave small teddy etc

They wear trousers/long sleeve tshirt and sneakers travelling, plus light raincoat(the cheapie plastic mac type)...which double up as an outfit for cool days

Its completely do able
I'm going out now, but will add more later if I remember!

Original poster
ruffletheanimal · 21/02/2010 13:46

pretty lonely camp mind...

OP posts:
KnickKnack · 21/02/2010 13:47

just seen that you're going at easter...my list is for sunny weather, so might need slight adaptation!

Stinkyfeet · 21/02/2010 13:47

I think 2 changes would be fine! Presumably as you're staying with friends, you'll have washing facilities there. I'd prob take clean pants for every day though!

KnickKnack · 21/02/2010 13:48
2010aQuintessentialOdyssey · 21/02/2010 14:15

No checked in baggage?
Will each child have his own backpack?

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 21/02/2010 15:00

You do have cases with wheels don't you?
Certainly the 6 and 5 year old could each pull their own, my DS at that age loved doing that.

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 21/02/2010 15:01

Oh sorry hand luggage only.
Erm.... very little cases with wheels?

KnickKnack · 21/02/2010 16:53

the problem with kids at that age having little kiddie wheeled cases....they are fine until you reach the steps up to the airplane, the steps upto the shuttlebus and the flight of stairs from the bus to the airport main level. Also smallest child needed hand held to climb the aeroplane steps are they are quite steep. We got caught out badly once, had to reply on the kindness of strangers. The air hostess scolded us for taking more than the adults could carry!

Check before hand if its a walk-on flight or a cheapie flight where you have to use outdoor aeroplane steps.

IlanaK · 21/02/2010 17:10

I think it depends on the children. We have no car and travel by train and other public transport when we go away in the UK (Slightly different to what you are talking about, but relevant). We always stay somewhere with washing facilities. So, we really can get away with packing very little clothing. Dh pulls the suitcases (2) and I push the pushchair for my youngest. The older two carry their own backpacks and the only toys they can take is what they can carry in those. Our biggest problem though is books. Dh, me and ds1 require at least 3-4 books to read each for a week's holiday. Plus a couple for the younger boys.

Original poster
ruffletheanimal · 21/02/2010 17:39

yy, knickknack has it - thats my plan. roughly.
i may have to have a practice run beforehand to check it works...

gooood, thank you, i feel more confident about doing this now.

OP posts:
KnickKnack · 21/02/2010 19:18

As Stinkyfeet said, take clean pants for each day. Although I usually take a max of 5 pants and wash them for week 2.
and as IlanaK said, only take whatever toys they can carry in their backpack (make sure it is light enough for them to carry for, say, 10 minutes walking...not light enough for them to pick up, but too heavy to carry for more than1 min!)

Do that practice run, you'll be surprised at how much you can fit in a carry on case, especially as kids clothes take up so little space.

If staying with a friend you can borrow some of her things, have her buy a few things beforehand like toothbrushes and sun lotion.

saggyhairyarse · 21/02/2010 19:46

Whereabouts are you going in Spain?

saggyhairyarse · 21/02/2010 20:40

Won't you need pyjamas, swim stuff (assuming you are near beach/pool), trainers/sandals/crocs/or whatever. I always pack a fleece and a rain coat as well.

You can get stuff like calpol equivalent, shower gel, shampoo etc when you are there.

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