Preparation is everything for holidays with toddlers
Whilst some things are fine to leave until the last minute holidays with toddlers rarely go smoothly without careful preparation. You may already have decided that a hotel vacation is too restrictive; for example most hotels leave you with limited toddler-friendly eating sleeping and playing facilities. Apartment holidays on the other hand allow you and your little ones the freedom to prepare your own food have an undisturbed afternoon nap and room to play if the weather turns nasty. Don’t rest on your laurels however once the holiday is booked: think “what do I need to take?”
Nappies or trainer pants – plan for at least 24 hours without having to buy these holiday essentials. Pack more than you think you will need in your main luggage but the same applies to your hand luggage (as you can never predict long travel delays). Remember also that no matter how well toilet training is going over-excited toddlers are prone to little accidents.
Baby wipes hand sanitizers and tissues – have these easily to hand because you will be amazed at how often you will need them during your trip. And whilst on this subject take a few small plastic bags with you so that you can comfortably store used wipes and tissues in your pockets or bag when there are no convenient rubbish bins nearby.
Travel-friendly snacks – toddlerscan be grumpy travellers and as mentioned earlier travel delays cannot be predicted. Snacks help to stave off hunger pangs and distract grumpy tots but producing a melted chocolate bar from your pocket is unlikely to help. Choose sturdier snacks like muesli bars or dried fruit and have a few small cartons of soft drinks near the top of your hand luggage.
Toiletries – don’t forget to pack your no-more-tears bubble bath and shampoo – why not buy your toddlers their own toiletry bags and fill them together not forgetting their toothbrushes and toothpaste of course. Smaller travel sizes of packaging are a good idea and buy new for your holiday as new containers are less likely to leak.
Sun protection – you may all be able to use the same sunscreen or you may need a separate one for your toddlers but again make sure you have enough for the first day or two otherwise your first day out will be to the chemist or supermarket. You cannot share sun hats and sunglasses so make sure your toddlers are well kitted out and don’t scrimp on their sunglasses – little eyes need extra protection from ultraviolet rays.
Toys and entertainment – a few sturdy toys in your hand luggage preferably without small parts that are easily lost will make for happy travelling. A few toys in your main luggage that you can play with together will make for happy toddlers in the apartment. If your little-ones have a favourite night-time story book that sooths them to sleep and a favourite teddy-bear to cuddle up with don’t forget those either.
Night time essentials – whilst thinking about night-times consider taking a suitable plug-in night-light. Not only will it make your toddlers feel more secure in their strange new holiday bedroom but you will be able to negotiate the unfamiliar room if called by them without having to turn on the overhead lights.
So there we have it for a trouble free family holiday with the toddlers preparation is king.
