When travelling I always want to keep our luggage to a minimum and
I usually don't do too badly but on occasion have ended up arriving home with a
surplus of unworn, unused items. This time, however - after learning from all
my previous travel experiences and mistakes - I finally got it right and ended
up packing super light for five people with absolutely everything we needed
when there.
Of
course when packing the destination is paramount and so is the time of year. We
had soaring daily temperatures and a night-time average of 28 degrees which
really reduced the bulk and weight of our luggage. If you're travelling
somewhere cooler you'll probably need a bigger suitcase! This year we managed
to pack two carry-on suitcases, one for me and one for David, and one larger
case for the boys which included their toiletries and ours, and a few extra
items. Backpacks for the boys are also a must which included snacks and
activities for the plane. The ones we have are soft and lightweight so they can
be squeezed into the back of rental cars and under aeroplane seats.
One
of the best things about travelling with my family is that I feel comfortable
in whatever I wear so I can pack a small suitcase and mix and match. I’m not
seeing the same friends or colleagues each day so I can wear what I want as
often as I want. And from past experience I've learnt that no matter how many
pairs of shorts I pack I end up wearing the same one or two for the entire
holiday, and I'm often in a bikini and beach dress during the day anyway so
even the ones I do pack don't get much wear.
Here
is, after 13 years of travelling with kids, my go-to lightweight sun holiday packing
list...
I've
learned the easiest way to plan is to divide up the packing list into
categories. One for clothes to pack, one for beach-wear and another for the
clothes they travel in - the clothes they travel in are another set they can
wear which can often be forgotten about when writing out packing essentials.
Clothing for the boys:
Daytime & Evening Wear (each)
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 4
T-shirts
- 1
polo shirt
- 2
pairs of runner socks
- 5
underpants
- 1 pair of pyjamas
Beach Wear
- Sun hat
- 2
swim shorts
- 1
rash vest
- Sun
glasses
- Crocs
- Goggles
- Arm bands
Travel Outfit
- Shorts
- T-shirt
- Hoodie
- Runner
socks and underwear
- Slip-on
runners
- Lightweight waterproof jacket with a hood
Extras:
Backpacks
We’ve
been using individual backpacks when travelling for all the boys since our
youngest was two. They’re essential on travel days for carrying snacks and
activities for the plane and when we arrive at our destination they also come
with us to restaurants to keep little ones occupied.
- Copy
books
- Crayons
- Markers
- Travel
sized games like Uno, Rubix cube
- Book
For
Ross:
- Headphones
- Kindle
- Phone
for music
- Notebook and pen
Inflatable booster seats (x2)
These
are really handy for the plane and save on the car hire cost. We have the
Bubblebum brand which is great. They also attach to the carry-on bags which is
ideal.
Flat cotton or Turkish/Hammam towels
These
thin beach towels are perfect for sun holidays, they’re hard wearing for humid
conditions, less heavy when wet and dry much more quickly. They’re lighter to
pack so take up less space and they can also double as a sarong or picnic
blanket.
Toiletries
I
pack all my makeup and toiletries in travel sized containers and buy shampoo,
conditioner, body wash and toothpaste when I arrive which is enough for the
five of us for the length of our stay. Other items we all use are:
- La
Roche Posay sun creams - Factor 30 and Factor 50
- Toothbrushes
- Nail
scissors
- Mosquito
repellent
- La Roche Posay Body Milk
Medical travel kit
Thankfully
the only things we usually need in our medicine bag are plasters and Sudocrem
for grazed knees, but it’s good to have these other supplies to hand just in
case:
- Calpol
- Paracetamol
- Hydrocortizone
cream
- Sudocrem
- Plasters
Cool bag
This
has been a more recent addition to our suitcase and now something we would
never forget to pack. Essential for picnics and imperative for keeping rose
cool on the beach!
Travelling
light has so many advantages. You have less to carry on travel days. When you
arrive you only have the essentials so everything is easy to find. Packing to
go home is so quick and easy and likewise so is unpacking. I hope this helps
for your next sun holiday and that most of all you have a fun and enjoyable
trip!
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