What are your packing tips when on UK holiday - Share with Parkdean Resorts

[YanaMumsnet]

Packing days in advance or running on long to-do lists - we parents have our tricks to get everything we need when organising the family trip. From ensuring you pack waterproofs so you can get outside no matter the weather, to getting food and games to keep everyone happy and entertained throughout the journey, packing for a holiday in the UK could be an exhausting task.

That’s why Parkdean Resorts want to hear about your tips and tricks when packing for your family getaway in the UK.

Here’s what they have to say: “We are the UK’s largest Holiday Park operator with 67 locations in some of the most stunning coastal, countryside and lakeside locations, from the impressive Scottish Highlands to the sunny South Coast.

After over three months of lockdown, we are so excited to re-open our holiday parks this summer and show just how much the UK has to over for a family staycation, allowing you to enjoy these wide open spaces and time with your family.

Choose from a huge range of caravans and lodges, including extra wide accommodation, perfect for families and packed with everything for a stress-free holiday. Dog friendly options mean you can bring the whole family too! For a touch of adventure, you’ll find a variety of pitches whether you’re camping in a tent, or pitching up a touring caravan or motorhome.

For your peace of mind, we have made commitments to protecting our holidaymakers, people and local communities for a safe stay, whilst also introducing a booking guarantee, giving you the confidence to book a much deserved holiday.“

What are your family’s packing essentials and your must haves when travelling together in the UK? How do you keep your DC entertained while in the car on your journey? Are there any items you find you never or rarely use while away? What are your tips for ensuring you have everything you might need while travelling in the UK? Do you have a favourite time of the day to travel and get on with your journey, why is that?

Whatever the things that you pack when on family holiday in the UK, share on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ
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Snacks,for the journey, arrival and stay. A hungry toddler is a grumpy toddler in our house. Hungry parents are also grumpy parents.

Dh and I have packing lists saved on the computer (overnight/hospital, uk, summer holiday etc.)

I like to get the suitcases out about a month before we travel, I add items over the weeks, plan my outfits and work out if anything needs to go on the shopping list.

Always roll clothes to prevent creases. Pack a couple of carrier bags for putting laundry or dirty shoes in.

We go on several UK holidays a year so have a system which works for us. We have a master list that we print out and tick off, that's split into different sections - clothes and toiletries for us, the dog, food and drink.
Holiday clothes and equipment that we don't use at home is kept ready to go in a wardrobe in a spare bedroom, things like rucksacks and hiking poles.
Toiletry bags are refilled at the end of the previous holiday so they're always grab and go ready.

We have a large storage box in the garage for our holiday food. Things we've learnt over the years to take with us: ketchup, vinegar, kitchen roll, spare corkscrew, box of matches etc.
Some holiday cottages are definitely better equipped than others!

We like to set off about 10am, that usually means we've missed the rush hour. Our favourite destination is within 4 hours of home so we have lunch on the journey, get to the area and a quick shop locally for something for tea. Then we've arrived shortly after 3pm check-in.

When we go on a parkdean holiday we always arrive as early as possible to use the pool, so I pack a day bag for each of us with swimming stuff etc.
I am an over packer and take my instant pot with us and our own knives as we like to cook in the caravan and although it's well stocked , I like my own bits! We also bring our own pillows and some throws for watching movies.

I can tell you what not to do! Spend the whole day before travelling ironing, so in a terrible mood and have a sore back. Pack it all at midnight and then cry and tip it all back out cause so very tired and stressed. Let DH take over so it all looks like a dogs dinner when unpacked, rendering the ironing day completely pointless.

You only need about 1/3 of what you think you do! Pack smart and sparingly!

I hang up a canvas clothes holder in my wardrobe at home ( you know the thing you can pack jumpers etc into that Velcro’s around the wardrobe pole)

No! I don't know! And now I need to know as it sounds genius - can you put up a link or a picture?

Buy goggles and swim toys before you go or you will end up paying 3 times as much when you are there. Take thin swim towels or they will take ages to dry and take up too much packing space.

We usually stay at Parkdean places in Devon and Cornwall. I always take large plastic beakers as the glasses provided are too small.

We always take fluffy blankets as the accommodation is usually cold. I always take a decent sharp knife with me too.

We always arrive early to make the most of the facilities, so we pack the swimming stuff separately.

I always take batteries as well, as often the tv remote doesn't work.

We always have a shop delivered before we leave so that we can pack that straight into the car.

Other essentials are ipad/snacks/sun cream/bin bags.

Sarongs! To use as a sun cover on a buggy, put over plastic chairs so you don't stick to them if it's hot or to protect fabric ones especially if you have sun lotion on, something for the kids to sit on, put over them if they are sleeping, fold up and use as a little pillow if sun bathing. The list is endless, they are light to pack and easy to wash and dry.

Following this for ideas as just booked a caravan holiday for August.

With previous holidays I always pack a separate bag for the kids with some toys and colouring books. Ideal to take out the car first to keep the dc busy while unpacking car and making beds/ filling fridge etc.

We keep swim stuff separate so we can go in the pool ASAP! I always overpack on clothes as I don't want to run out of clean socks etc if we've gotten grubby. I make a list of everything we need and also try and pack some new books for bedtime and new toys to play with once on holiday.

We take our own duvets and pillows, goggles and inflatables for the pool, I usually pack clothes for all weathers just in case. Most of the time the children take their Switches with them but are old enough to entertain themselves.

List made for each individual person in the house being packed for. Pack a day or two before leaving to stop things like hairdryers etc being put in and took back out again. Put everything that is on each persons list in the one room in different areas for each person. Pack it person by person whilst checking off the items on the lists as you go 😂 Works for me every time!

Packing - plastic bags for car rubbish and laundry!

Entertainment - audio cds. Game changer

Take half the clothes you need for the week and use the launderette halfway through. This saves on space as we only have a very small car.

I take all condiments and seasonings from home as I am loath to buy double when I have perfectly good ketchup sitting in the cupboard!

I take a proper chopping board and my own knife as the ones in caravans are usually crap.

In response to a PP who forgot her DC clothes, I once forgot to pack any bottom halves for DP 😂 good job there's a millets in Buxton!

Don't use suitcases. Pack clothes in soft bags that can fit the car boot better.
Cans of food can be placed loose in all the books and crannies of the boot to make the most of the space available.

We have a list for each person and I start packing early so whenever I think of something I can add it to the list - also it allows to buy things that you haven't got/ the kids have grown out of.

I always write a list as soon as I've booked, I always add to it as soon as I think of something I've missed off!

I don't drive but we have had some lovely holidays by travelling on the train.

My tips are
Make sure everyone has a case/bag on wheels that they can pull themselves.
Add a list of everything you've packed in each case and tick it off when repacking to come home.
A large bag with snacks and travel games which comes to our seats on the train rather than in the luggage rack. Small colouring books also went down well when the DC were small.
Pack swimming stuff on the top. Sometimes theres somewhere to leave luggage when you get to the destination so you can swim. One year we were given the first available caravan and allowed to check in 3 hours early
We try and travel as early as on the 1st day and as late as possible on the home journey to make the most of our holiday.

Definitely a list to tick off that the essentials are packed.
If you are staying anywhere enjoy route to break up the journey pack a separate overnight bag with PJs, next day clothes and wash bag. Saves all the other luggage being opened and potential for things to get misplaced.

If heading straight to destination pack PJs and wash bags last so if you get to your destination late everything you need straight away is easy to find.

Make kids pack their entertainment (books, toys, colouring books) in their own bags as soon as they are old enough to do this. The bag they choose and the fact they have to carry it helps to limit how much they will bring along!

Make every member of the family above a certain age responsible for packing their own cases and it's tough luck if they don't do it properly! Don't be a slave to your family, they will not appreciate it!

Have swimming bags packed separately rather than with the main bags. Bring kitchen things that will make life easier. A step is always helpful for DC to be able to access everything. Best “other peoples packing” tip though would be order Gousto or Hello Fresh and not need to prep half the meals but enjoy lovely nosh still.

Lists! Always write a list!
Swimsuits in last, so you can dive straight in when you get there.
All travel documents in a handy folder.
Lots of sweets, crisps and goodies for in the car! 😋

I use Ikea sandwich bags (varying sizes) to pack the kids complete outfits in. So pants/knickers, bottoms, top and socks if required, or dress and cardie etc. I then fold and roll each item Marie Kondo style and pack it neatly into the sandwich bag.

Each morning, all we have to do is pull out a sandwich bag and the outfit is there ready to go!

I use the Ikea ones as they come in a good selection of sizes so currently suit all my kids clothing needs.

It means we don't have to give any thought each morning to what goes with what as that's already been done meaning we have more time to get out and enjoy our holiday!