Packing for your trip
Packing to go on holiday is no longer as easy as throwing a few t-shirts and a pair of swimming trunks in at the last minute. It can help to create a list in the weeks leading up to your departure date, to ensure that you don’t forget anything. We’ve put together some ideas to help you with your packing.
Essential Items
- Sunscreen and hats for everyone
- Stroller
- Lots of diapers, wipes, washcloths and disposable change mats
- Baby’s favourite toys, books and blanket
- Extra dummy
- Formula, food and water
- Camera and video camera
Basic First Aid Kit
There are some great first-aid kits available at retail pharmacies for the home and special travel versions. You can buy one or put your own together with the following suggested items:
- Band Aids
- SPF 30+ high protection sun screen (although in high summer you can go as high as 50+)
- Calamine lotion for itchy bites as well as sunburn
- Antiseptic cream or spray
- Children’s Paracetamol
- Thermometer
- Insect repellent
Toys, books and other vital distractions
A good supply of toys and books will make the journey to and from your holiday destination a lot easier. Take a mix of toys they love and a good stash of new surprises. These don’t need to be expensive. Things you may like to pack into the toy bag are:
- Favourite soft toy - hopefully it’s big enough to double as a pillow too
- Stacking blocks for the little ones and Legos for the older kids; it’s not a disaster if you lose a few
- Hand puppets – you can use these to create stories
- Drawing and colouring supplies; washable markers and twist-top crayons are handy; plain paper and a colouring-in book
- Reusable stickers and sticker book
- Favourite books and a few new ones
- Hand-held video games
- Snap cards
- Magnetic travel games for the older kids
- Record their favourite music or story CDs onto your iPod or MP3 player and let them listen to music and stories
- Small size doll or action figure
- Small tub of play dough
- Books with jigsaw puzzles inside them
For more information see Travel with kids or Parenting.
