Use our packing checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need to keep your family healthy and happy on holiday.
When you’ve spent months planning your holiday and you’re looking forward to it, the last thing you want is to have your trip ruined by sunburn, a dodgy stomach, or a lengthy schlep to find the local pharmacy. Use our packing checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need to keep your family healthy and happy.
1/ Travel sickness tablets
If your stomach doesn’t love travelling quite as much as you do, pack Boots Pharmaceuticals Motion Sickness Tablets, £2.89, which are suitable for adults and children over five. If you prefer a more natural approach, try an acupressure wristband such as Sea-Band, £8.59, available for adults and kids.
2/ Sanitising spray
The drama of the dummy falling on a dirty plane floor. Dust off and risk a bug, or hide and provoke mini air rage? Vital Baby Aquaint Sanitising Water is a safe-to-swallow antibacterial spray that instantly sanitises dummies, bottles, unpeeled fruit, hands and toys. Available in airline-friendly 50ml, £2.49, and 500ml, £4.99.
3/ Ear plugs
?No, we don’t mean so you can get a bit of peace and quiet (although it’s not a bad idea). We’re talking about swimming ear plugs for the kids because when they’re playing in the pool or sea, they can easily pick up ear infections. Try Pluggerz Swim Earplugs For Kids, £12.49, or Boots Pharmaceuticals Children’s Swimming Earplugs, £4.69.
4/ Sunscreen
OK, so sunscreen’s pretty obvious, but make sure you pack enough. As a rough guide, a family of four ?should be getting through a 200ml bottle for every day in the sun. If you and your kids are going to be at the beach or in and out of the pool, choose a water-resistant formula such as Garnier Ambre Solaire Wet Skin, £14.29, or Boots Soltan Once Kids 3 Hour Water Play Hypoallergenic Suncare Spray, £8.50
5/ Insect repellent
If you’re heading somewhere where there’s a risk of insect-transmitted diseases, pack a repellent that contains DEET, such as Jungle Formula Maximum Protection Spray, £8.15, or Off! Family Care Smooth Dry Insect Repellent Spray, £6.50. DEET is safe to use on children over two months. If you’re going somewhere where being bitten is just annoying, not dangerous, try Alfresco Anti-Bug Bite Moisturizer, £25.
6/ Rehydration sachets
Always pack a few rehydration sachets such as Dioralyte Citrus, £3.86, in case of dodgy tummies and diarrhoea. You know what they say: if you pack it, you won’t need it.
7/ Plasters
No family adventure is complete without the odd scrape. If you’ve got a little one, Elastoplast Disney Mickey and Friends Plasters, £2.99, will help soothe post-tumble sobs. For older kids, who are likely to be in the pool a lot, go forElastoplast Extra Tough Waterproof Fabric Plasters, £2.69. And if you’re breaking in a new pair of sandals, we recommend Compeed Soothing Blister Relief Plasters with Aloe Vera, £5.99.
8/ Cooling spray
We all go abroad for the sunshine, but when it gets too hot, tempers can fray. Stash Magicool Hot Weather Cooler, £4.99 (superdrug.com), in your bag for those times when everyone’s getting a bit hot and bothered. It’s brilliant for treating sunburn and prickly heat, too.
9/ Tweezers
Not just for keeping your brows groomed, they’re a must for splinter removal, too. We like the Tweezerman Slant Tweezer, £12.50 (lookfantasic.com).
10/ Antiseptic cream
Multi-tasking Savlon Antiseptic Cream, £2.18 (boots.com), can be used on bites, blisters, cuts, nappy rush and sunburn. More essential than underwear.