Holiday toys

[TATTandMUS]

I'm going on holiday for two weeks with my 3.11 year old son and 15 month old daughter. Won't have lots of room for toys so want to make sure I take something that will occupy them for a while as there won't be any toys in our self catering apartment. Can anyone suggest toys that have been successful when you've been on holiday?

Apart from the snuggly toys that were vital for bedtime, the most useful things were crayons and paper to scribble on. Would probably work for your DS.

I didn't take my twins on holiday until they were about 2.5 so haven't any ideas about 15 month old.

Pencils and paper
Small books
Few small cars ie matchbox size

When mine were little, we used to visit charity shops on the first day of the holiday, buy a few cheap toys that they would play with for the holiday, then donate them back at the end of the holiday.

We always take little toy soldiers from pound land great for the sand. Pound land again for colouring books, pencils, buckets and spades.

Last year I brought a cheap remote controlled car which kept ds occupied for hours and he made loads of friends.

Also champion the charity shop raid before you go for barbie/ action man figures that you can bury or play hide and seek with.

matchbox cars
stacking cups
Tomy squeaky eggs but keep them away from the stacking cups as the eggs get stuck in the smallest size cup and you can't get them out
books

and a bag to scoop them all up into at the end of the day.

Balloons, tea set, tennis ball, matchbox cars, aqua draw

When mine were little, we used to visit charity shops on the first day of the holiday, buy a few cheap toys that they would play with for the holiday, then donate them back at the end of the holiday.

We are going away for a few weeks with our nearly 2.5yo and plan to do this (and also visit the £ shop or local equivalent).

For DS when 9mo we took stacking cups (bath time AND daytime favourites), a few wooden blocks (he mainly ate them), softies, muslins, books, and a ball or two.

We got a fab activity book from waterstones for ds and stickers for dd. they also played endlessly with stacking cups and liked playing treasure hunts with some plastic eggs we had.
Colouring things plus cars and you are set.

Sticker books are great. I also found (although it is rather indulgent) that buying DS one decent toy to give him when we got there (we went with a Vtech car dinosaur thing that was £15) he didn't need anything else for three days and I think it would have lasted longer.

Great ideas- will head to poundland before we go. Love the remote control car idea if I can find a cheap one and will also remember to take a big bag to pack everything away in at the end of the day! Not sure there will be charity shops in turkey but will look before we leave. I don't mind buying a couple of new toys either though so if anyone has any other suggestions that would be great!

Cross post with odyssey- will check out the vetch suggestion!

I'd head to Poundland when you get there instead - no need to pack stuff then!

Ah bother I didn't see the bit about Turkey! There should be beach shops with balls, buckets etc if it's a resort?

Football

There is a swimming pool in the complex too so was wondering if anyone had any pool toys they'd recommend?

A football
Stacking cups
A few matchbox cars
A few play people
Pens & pencils
DVDs
Jigsaws
Board games (no need for the box, just the bits from inside the box)

We've realised over the years that there is always at least an hour in the morning & an hour in the evening when the DC are playing in the room so they do need a few toys.

Have you come across busy books? They're about £5 in supermarkets. We first had one for DD last year when she was 3.10 and she loved it.

For the journey, allocate them a small bag each - handbag sized (for dd maybe even one of your old handbags!) and fill with little activities. e.g. pencil case with pegs in / small hand-held tablets that you draw on and erase by moving the peg across the bottom - sorry - can't remember what they're called! - things to fiddle with / stickers / small colouring book & crayons / slinky etc. That way you know you have lots of little things for them to play with of the pocket money variety. Also, maybe fit in a few of their very small toys. For the actual villa, try a megasketch - great indoor toy. For outdoors, Tiger feet?

Just ordered a busy book from amazon- thank you. Now off to check out tiger feet.

Also thinking of taking an inflatable for the pool but no idea which one to choose!

Love the idea of a handbag youcan. Think I will pinch that one for our hols

Just get an inflatable out there. Loads of shops eill sell them & there's a huge range. For the age of your DC1, I'd go for a car or boat with leg holes so it is something you sit in rather than on & so is more stable. Or you may be lucky & get there to find some waiting for you. Mini super soakers will be fun & can be bought everywhere out there.