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What to Pack for a Summer Holiday with the Kids
A Summer getaway with the family can be tricky, especially when it comes to packing for your kids. You want to ensure you have everything you need, but you also don’t want to overpack.
However, using this quick checklist and a few tips, you can make packing for your kids for your Summer holiday easy and painless.
Loose-Fitting Clothing
Depending on your kids’ age, they may not be old enough to tell you they are uncomfortable or hot. Therefore, it is a good idea to pack loose-fitting and light clothing to, at the very least, stop them from getting too warm.
Loose t-shirts, vests, shorts, and dresses are all good options, as they can be worn all day and night, and it doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing.
Shoes & Sandals
The next thing you need to pack is a pair of shoes and a pair of sandals. Whether they are Converse shoes or sneakers, it doesn’t matter as long as they can protect your child’s feet, especially while walking on brick or something similar.
Sandals are also crucial as they can be worn to stay cool, and they are all necessary if you are going to the beach. Children’s feet are quite sensitive, and even the smallest shell or can cut them.
Full-Body Swimsuit
While board shorts or a one-piece swimming costume may seem like a good idea, there is a better option. A full-body swimming wetsuit or rash vest is brilliant for the beach and pool as they cover a lot of your little one’s skin.
Considering they are going to spend a lot of time swimming or getting covered in sand, it will be challenging to ensure they always have enough sunscreen on; these types of swimming costumes will take those worries away.
Don’t Forget Outerwear
Even though you are going on a Summer holiday, there is still the chance that it could rain or be cold. Therefore, don’t forget to pack things like a raincoat or a jersey; while you may not need it, it will always be better to pack it just in case.
Accessories
On top of the clothing, there are a couple of accessories you should remember too: a hat and sunglasses. A hat is necessary for obvious reasons; you want to protect your child’s head, neck, and face against the sun.
Sunglasses are also a good idea as your child’s eyes can be damaged by glare. Much like if you were going on a skiing holiday, sunglasses are a must when you are in the sun or exposed to excess amounts of glare.
Packing Tips
Now that you know what to pack, here are a few additional packing tips to simplify the entire process.
Remember Entertainment
Whether you are traveling by car or by airplane, there is a good chance that your toddler is going to get bored and agitated. To counter this, it is always a good idea to pack a form of entertainment.
However, just remember that this entertainment shouldn’t be used as a replacement for a nap; for example, most parents can probably agree that a tired child is almost harder to handle than a bored one.
Pack Snacks for the Car or Flight
Another thing you need to remember is to pack snacks; this is especially important if you are taking a flight, as you don’t know if your child will eat the aircraft food or not. However, you shouldn’t pack just any snacks.
You should try and ensure that the snacks are filling but also not packed with sugar. A sugar high and crash will not be easy to deal with, but it is very easy to avoid.
Minimal Packing
One mistake you should try and avoid is overpacking. While being prepared is part of being a parent, more often than not, you don’t even unpack half the things you take with you on holiday, as most of us tend to overpack.
Instead, think about how much clothing your child wears on a daily basis and use that as a benchmark; it’s usually less than you think.
Pack Fast-Dry Clothing
Since the Summer is all about being by the pool or at the beach, another tip would be to pack fast-drying clothing. This not only cuts down on how many items you need to pack but also lessens the likelihood of needing to do laundry.
Be Prepared to do Laundry
Speaking of laundry, there is still the chance that you might have to do some. Packing a small bottle of detergent allows you to do a quick handwash at the hotel you are staying at; mixing that with fast-drying clothes means they will fresh and clean in no time.
As you can see, there is no need for holiday packing to be difficult or stressful. If you use the tips provided, you will be able to pack everything you need, not forget anything important, and avoid having to pack everything your child owns.
