What to Take on Vacation with a Child?
Sooner or later, the time comes when you decide to take a vacation. You have chosen a vacation spot quite easily, but there is one small problem – you have a small child. While packing your suitcase, you need to consider that there will be quite a few things necessary for your little one. To avoid the hassle of daily laundry, you should take several sets of changeable clothes – pants, shirts, t-shirts, sweaters, tights, and socks.
You also need to remember hygiene products. You should take soap, cream, and shampoo that you regularly use for your child's care.
Take exactly as many diapers as you need for the journey until you arrive at your vacation destination. Upon arrival, you can buy the necessary amount. If your child no longer uses diapers but is not yet potty trained, you should bring their potty with you. In this case, a special "travel" potty is the best option. Such a potty is inflatable, folds easily, and takes up very little space in your bag. Wet wipes are very helpful on the road, as you can always use them to wipe your child's face and hands. It is advisable to take several packs with you.
If your little one eats baby soluble cereals and jarred purees, it is best to bring this food with you. To feed your child, you will only need to mix the cereal with water or warm up the puree.
And what about toys? Here’s what you should do – take one or two of their favorite toys, and you will still buy new ones for your little one at the vacation spot. It is also advisable to bring a notebook or drawing pad and some pencils. This way, you will have something to keep your child occupied during the trip.
If you have a DVD player, it will be very useful. Having a few discs with interesting cartoons will make it easy to entertain your child during a long journey. Be sure to get your child a small backpack or a wheeled suitcase so they can carry their "treasures" and feel like a real traveler.
Special attention should be paid to the first aid kit. It should contain medications for all occasions – for headaches and toothaches, runny nose and cough, allergies, sore throat and ear pain, and sunburns. Don’t forget items like green antiseptic, iodine, cotton swabs, bandages, and adhesive plasters.
If your travel destination is a warm country, you need to stock up on inflatable rings, armbands, and vests. You should also have sunscreen, a sun hat, or a cap. Remember that a child should not stay under the open sun for too long. It is best if you spend your vacation with your child somewhere in the shade.
In case you are going on a sightseeing tour, you should take two pairs of spare shoes, a raincoat for the child, warm clothing, and headgear. Even if your child is older than three years, be sure to bring a stroller. If they get a bit tired from the journey, it will be nice for them to take a nap in their stroller while you can continue on your way peacefully.
Combined Luggage
Do not give in to your child's demands and take all the things they packed in their bag. It is best to pack everything in a shared suitcase and allocate a small backpack for toys and other "important" children's items. This way, you will save money since you won’t have to pay for an extra suitcase, and you will also protect yourself from the situation where the child refuses to carry their belongings and hands them over to the parents.
Give Children Your Phone Number and Hotel Address
In this case, if the child gets lost, they will be able to contact you or provide necessary information to a police officer. Write all the details on a piece of paper and place it in the child's backpack or pocket.
Check Information About Additional Fees
In most cases, entry to parks and travel on public transport is free for small children, but there are exceptions. Research the information on when you will have to pay extra for your little one.