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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[NettleTea]

rolling up clothing has been a revelation to me - you can get so much extra in!

[ChiaraRimini]

Loads of good tips.
I can never find enough clean socks and undies for each of the DC when packing to go away, so I now plan that holiday time is new socks and pants time and buy them a new multipack of each just before going away.

[WeOnlyPlannedTheFirst]

Packing list is essential
Kids have a small rucksack each to take whatever toys they want
Couple of compact family games - Dobble, Yahtzee etc
Charge my Kindle and treat myself to some new books
Smallest, thinnest towels possible for swimming and quick-drying
We always take our own bathmat and handtowels - caravan shower-rooms get soggy fast!
Kids have new Crocs each summer, perfect for outside wet play, beach, no faffing about drying feet after swimming
Kids also had poncho towels when little so we didn't dress them after swimming if it was warm enough to walk back to the caravan
No thick coats but everyone has a couple of hoodies and a thin raincoat just in case! Hoodies double as dressing gowns if needed

A box of wine...or 2...or....

[Oldraver]

We don't pack clothes, just take them on coat hangers, double some stuff up. I've made a bag to go over, loop a hair tie round the top to keep together

When we get there they go straight into the wardrobe. In the side when we had a large car we took undies in one of those plastic drawers

[UpOnDown]

Roll clothing, it helps stop wrinkles/creases

[Rigorousyetcalm]

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

How do you keep your DC entertained while in the car on your journey?
Tablet
I spy

Are there any items you find you never or rarely use while away?
Paper plates
Camping washing line

What are your tips for ensuring you have everything you might need while travelling in the UK?
Make a checklist

Do you have a favourite time of the day to travel and get on with your journey, why is that?
Late evening because can spend the day packing

[Dogsaresomucheasier]

Those towelling poncho things are a lifesaver for kids on U.K. beaches. Means they can hop in and out of the sea multiple times without changing.

Even if you intend to eat in cafes etc. Take an excess of drinks from a supermarket, it saves a fortune.

[Dogsaresomucheasier]

We like to do our travelling early morning, getting a breakfast from a service station/Mac Donald’s at about 7-8 to let rush hour miss us. I love being on a beach by noon if at all possible.

[IwishIhadaMargarita]

Bar soap rather than shower gel. Takes up little space and lasts really well.

[Ilovesunshine22]

Always make a list!! X

[blackleggingsandatshirt]

My tips would be, don't look at the long range weather forecast - it often changes to the opposite - pack for the rain (umbrella's and pacamac's) but also pack for the sun - there are shops when you get there so what you forget - you can buy, so don't worry whatever the weather, a holiday on this country is to be embraced.

[Twisique]

Don't pack beach towels in suitcases, use them to fill the gaps between cases in the boot.

[Kaykay066]

I do everyones packing
Takes ages but then I know I have everything kids pack their own entertainment and I do picnic for the car and shopping for when we arrive. Really need a roof box these days though

[Ballybeyondthepail]

Totally normal! We tweak why we need closer to the time. That’s what’s happens when you have to book weeks in advance... just do the same.

[Ballybeyondthepail]

I keep a list on my phone for packing and add stuff as it pops into my head at the time in the weeks before. It’s really handy for the little things like converters or the left over Euros from last hols etc that might get forgotten when packing everything up the day before.

[kyles101]

Make a list!

And get your shopping delivered so it arrives at around the same time as you will

[NerrSnerr]

More socks and knickers for the children than you think you need! Make sure you take waterproofs even if the forecast is good. We always take activity books and stuff for the children to keep them occupied so we can grab a quick pint too.

[MulticolourMophead]

I have a list that I keep on my laptop. I check the list about a month before, to allow time to buy anything that's needed, eg if DS has, again, grown out of stuff.

I print the list a week before, and everything is folded up and laid on top of the bags in a corner. I don't pack anything into the case until the night before, and tick it off as I go.

The list used to have all of ex's crap on it. Now, it's just for me and the DC. Funny enough, this thread has made me check through my list, and I've just deleted a few things.

Like a clock. I used to take a clock with me, but now I wear a smart watch and the alarm on it is the best I've ever used. And phones have clocks. Batteries are also now unnecessary, since everything we use has a charging cable.

I list things like NT hand book, chargers for devices, and extra cables because we always lose one. I make sure there are cables for the car (I found a USB cable suitable for the Nintendos, that really helped), as bored people in the car can be annoying.

Things on the list that can be useful:

Spare car key - gets packed into a separate bag away from my usual keys.
Copies of accommodation information - easier to read than on a phone.
Copy of any relevant insurance info, just in case.
A spare empty handbag that is packed flat in the case, just in case. (I have actually had to buy a new handbag on holiday once, because I caught my bag on a nail sticking out a fence and ripped it open. I like to use cross body bags on holidays.)
Cards Against Humanity - really good to play on wet days, etc.

However, the biggest single thing that has helped our holidays in recent years has been the absence of my Ex. He's the one who makes things so fraught. Last year, our journey down to Cornwall was so, so peaceful compared to previously. Ex gets car rage at the slightest thing, and it was wonderful not to have his constant whining going on. And with me driving, we got there quicker

[ElfCakes]

Lists lists lists! List for everything!
I go through the day in my mind and think of the things we'll need at different times of day.
New toys for the journey or sticker books etc
But I also have the attitude that I plan the best I can and if we forget something it doesn't matter - we're on holiday and it's meant to be fun not stressful and there's nothing we can't pick up a replacement for!

[ILovesPeanuts]

We bought portable twin DVD players for the car which were a life saver - kids could watch same as each other or different - the only fights come if they pull the leads out of the other's player to annoy. We also always travel with bowls - after a couple of incidents of car sickness!
Holiday onesies are a must too!

[Macaronicheese89]

Always take some bags for life! Great for dirty washing, taking swimming stuff or packing up for the beach and making packing to come home so much easier! Stick everything that’s not in the case in bags for life - saves endless trips to the car for packing and unpacking individual bits and bobs!

[gemima27]

waterproofs! an extra pair of socks and pants! and most important a dress/costume for the littles ones to dance in in the club....they dont want to be in t shirts and leggings!!!
(also a bucket and spade...for the second you get there....thats all they want...even in the rain!)
from an adult point of view...a tea towel!

[MulticolourMophead]

I've just remembered I don't fold stuff for packing, I roll it up as I seem to have fewer creases that way, plus everything seems to pack into the available space better.

I keep medical stuff in the kitchen already packed into a small bag, so I can just pull it out the cupboard and pack it into the case. I do regularly check that it's well stocked, and so far none of us needs to have anything other than a few plasters/bandages, antiseptic cream or painkillers on hand.