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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I always take upgraded toiletries, as holidays are meant to be treats a d new underwear for everyone going.
Also a bottle of proper champagne for the first night.

We camp in the summers usually and I keep a list on my computer of all the things I need. I edit it after the trip to take account of what we did / didn't use, so I can do better the next year. It makes it much less stressful. I also keep most of my camping gear boxed up together so I don't have to do much packing apart from clothes.

For long car trips, each child has a bag with books, toys, drawing things and their tablet. I got some long charging cables that I can connect to a charger in my car so we don't have the stress of batteries running out!

Take less than you think you will need. You will always over pack!

I think some pre planning helps!
Lots of lists to ensure I dont forget things
My partner always moans at all the stuff we take but then asks for things knowing I've brought them
I think it's always good for snacks and music in the car, always turn it into an adventure if it's with my fav boys!
Always but soft things in the car next to kids, spare blankets duvets etc if they need a nap it's right there for them!
Always bring essentials loo roll, washing bags, handwash

I have an essentials list for holidays - so we don't forget the more random items like spare contact lenses, goggles, phone chargers, Calpol... UK holidays necessitate clothes for all four seasons, flip flops through to wellies but fortunately we can just stick everything in the car boot and retrieve as necessary.

I tend to make a list and tick off items as I pack them. I roll clothes so that they rarely become creased. I have recently invested in some packing cubes to separate items. I just place each cube in a drawer when I arrive. So quick and easy.

Pack all the swimming stuff in a separate beach bag so it's easy to find. Put some laundry detergent in a small travel bottle for hand washing items

I'm a list person, so will have lists that I add to as I remember things even a week or 2 in advance. If we're holidaying in the UK, then I won't back bulky things like nappies/boxes of snacks except what we need for the journey, and pick them up when we arrive. Stuff to entertain/feed the kids in the car is a must - magazines/books/tablets (plus headphones so I don't have to listen to Paw Patrol!)

Use a ready made list off the internet - saves time!

Lists! I'd forget so many things without them

A change of summer clothes in your hand luggage so you can still be temp appropriate even if your luggage goes missing and for camping tea bags and some milk near the top of the pile!

Cue up some audio books for kids to listen to on the journey. Helps with travel sickness and boredom!

I always put waterproofs and wellington boots in a separate bag and just leave them in the boot of the car to be used as and when needed. The rest I pack as summer clothes with one warm set just in case. Definitely make a list, I overpack if I don't!

I can be a bit of a packing ninja! My tips are to put clothes in one of those hoover bags to get the air out to decrease space (you can get travel ones where you roll the air out too). Shoes in first and stuff shoes with socks and knickers to maximise space. Put everything out on the bed first to make sure you’ve got everything and write a list before you even get to that point. Decent shampoo and conditioner into small bottles (it costs a fortune to buy the branded small bottles, a small tub that’s watertight will do the same thing but bag it in a food bag to be sure of no spillage). Use shampoo and conditioner 2 in 1 if poss. Save those free sachets of smellies to take instead too. Plan a wardrobe if holiday year where everything matches so you don’t need to take complete individual outfits. If there’s no washing machine there then take a small bottle of travel hand wash to wash underwear etc in the sink so you don’t need a whole holidays worth. If you can buy it easily and cheaply on holiday and will use it then why pack it, just get it when you get there. Plan for different weather eventualities. Don’t forget the chargers!

What are your family’s packing essentials and your must haves when travelling together in the UK?

Books, UHT Milk, Teabags, Anti Bacterial Wipes and if going to a caravan then bin bags & toilet roll are absolute essentials! Not forgetting chargers of course!

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How do you keep your DC entertained while in the car on your journey?*

My DC have these really great trays that attach to the car seat. They have a small ledge around them to enable drawing etc and keep crayons/toys from falling off.
A lot of colouring is done in the car and often we listen to age-appropriate audiobooks or they have their tablet in a holder on the headrest with some cartoons already downloaded which therefore don't require any data!

Are there any items you find you never or rarely use while away?

Make up & beauty products tend to be ignored when on holiday! Time to relax!
Nothing else really as we usually always travel to caravan parks and are therefore self catering.*
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What are your tips for ensuring you have everything you might need while travelling in the UK?*

As a seasoned caravan park visitor, I have devised a checklist over the years, which I keep on my Notes app on my phone. It has a function enabling me to tick items off as I go.
As for actually packing, I tend to start with items we will only use on holiday, pack those ahead of time and get them ticked off. Small Vacuum bags are fantastic for reducing the space taken up in luggage. Don't forget a drawstring bag for laundry!*
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Do you have a favourite time of the day to travel and get on with your journey, why is that?

It depends where we're going. Ideally, early morning before the 8-9 rush or evening after rush hour.
However, if traveling to a caravan or similar, you need to be mindful of your check-in time and what there is to do on-site or in the local area if you are to arrive early. Otherwise you may find yourselves with a lot of time to kill.

Pack your swim auits and towels at the top of your case so you can hit the pool without having to unpack the whole case when you arrive.

Me + 5 kids only go on UK caravan holidays so packing for all 5 kids for all weathers is a nightmare, so much to pack (no guarantees of sun like abroad) firstly my TOP TIP - LISTS, LISTS AND MORE LISTS.

1. List what activities you want to do, if You're sitting on a beach do you need the hiking boots? Great in theory but what's the likely hood of you climbing mountains 0%? decide what you like or the suitcases will be bursting. Repack twice to get rid of clothes you "may" wear and only take what you "know" you will wear.

2. roll roll and roll some more. Rolling up the clothes into sausages means you can fit more in, put shoes into bags at bottom then pack all the rolls around and in every space.

3. Take rainy day toys/ activities from discount stores that can be thrown away or left for next family at the end of week so no need to bring a full suitcase home. ALSO cheap teddies Nothing worse than a upset child because they haven't won in the arcades before you come home, so have a little back up stashed away just incase.

4. Make eye spy bingo for travelling, really easy to make on paper nothing fancy needed but keeps my 5 kids from moaning are we there yet after just 20 mins driving.

5. Take with you a multi use tool, I never go without one as we've had to use it to screw on handles on draws, cut tangled kite lines on the beach, used the mini torch to find caravan in the dark after leaving the club, used the pen for hasty autographs of club entertainers eg wrestlers, and even used it to cut a crab out of a fishing net. So it's a must have now on a caravan holiday for us.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP IS - To not worry and just 100% enjoy the holiday, if you've forgot your hairbrush so what ! buy a new cheap one. Relax and let go of the worries and stress !! We all need a little time to ourselves

Pack for all weather.
I love a list - it helps when trying to gather everything up when the holiday is over too.

empty plastic bags, easily accessible, loo roll and enough water for the journey

Write a list of what you are going to take and tick off as you pack.
Remember you are packing for a week (or two), not a month.
Gather your clothes as they come through the wash from a couple of weeks before you go.
Roll clothes as you pack them.
Pack as much in the car as you can the night before.
On the day you leave tick off those last minute important things you need.

A week before the travel I will prepare a list of items to take with us. That way is less likely I might forget something. So I pack, toothbrushes, paste, soap, shampoo, wipes and other must-have items for our holiday. Usually I'd take some spare items.The best time for us to travel is morning after breakfast ( We are less tired and happy to start a long journey). We take plenty of healthy snacks, drinks and very important for us is to have some medication and plasters. We take also with us outdoor toys - balls, skittles or cricket bats. When travelling to our holiday destination my boys love play games in the car, colour their books, play toys or sing. That way long journey is more enjoyable and passes a lot quickly.

Love park dean. Usually go on 3 holidays per year all with park dean. We are at summer fields in scratby from
Monday. Packing starts tomorrow.
We are bringing extra board games and books this time due to current circumstances but planning on visiting the smaller beaches too.
Parkdean accommodation is always really well equipped. My kids bring an extra blanket but that's for security.
Kitchen is always well stocked too but we do bring a can opener and a sharp knife ;0)

We go away a reasonable about as a family (pre pandemic obviously) we have family at both ends of the country and we do overnight/weekend trips at least once a month, plus 2-4 longer trips each year. Both of our children have multiple prescription meds and although I'm very organised I used to find the packing to be a big chore. Since my first child was born I've always kept a spreadsheet with what we need to take away on it - edited every trip to allow for changes - but even so tracking everything down was a major pain.

About a year ago we were facing 3 trips within the space of a month and I finally got properly organised and now we have a family 'grab bag' which contains all the non-perishable things that we ALWAYS need. It has a lot in but for example it has multiple chargers, everyone's toiletries and (spare) toothbrushes. Medication. I don't include things like nappies which are bulky and would need to be topped up every time but I do include things like a battery powered nightlight so the kids can find the toilet in strange hotel rooms. I committed to the bag, buying spares of all the things we needed (buying small plastic bottles to decant medication into safely). The contents of the bag are listed on my spreadsheet so I can check, there is also a list kept in the bag itself so that when we are packing up to come back home we can remember what lives in the bag.

Packing to go away is no longer a chore / I basically just add clothes and location specific items and it's done!

I have an activity pack I keep in the car for the kids during long journeys. It includes colouring pencils and colouring books, a wipe clean noughts and crosses board and motorway bingo which is an i-Say type game we all enjoy.
I also recommend audiobooks, they always keep us entertained.

Pack DC's clothes in outfits for each day, pyjamas can easily be washed to freshen up so dont need lots of them, take toys that can get used also as water toys to limit the amount you need to take, paddling pool for bath if there is only a shower.