Packing for Our Family Holiday to Ibiza! – Holidays with Kids

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I've been busy packing for our next family holiday. This time we're off to Ibiza! I never expected to type those words. Every time I say it, I sing the song, grin and pull a face. I'm so unsure, given I associate it with clubbing, and 18 year olds, but am assured it's a beautiful island and very family friendly. We're booked into a two bedroom apartment at a fantastic family friendly hotel run by Tui, the Tui Magic Life Cala Pada. Now, I thought this was 10 minutes from the airport, it seems that must have been a different hotel, it's actually 40 minutes- ooops, those babybrain moments still seem to strike! Fingers crossed that goes ok with B, a run everywhere almost 16 month old!! Back to my packing. Of course many things from my post from 2 years ago on tips for flying with a toddler stand true as B is almost 16 months old and she loves many things that were life savers when we flew with H to Menorca. I'm not going to repeat that post here, but we've taken most of those things with us on every flight and holiday since, so I thoroughly recommend them, even for 3 year olds!

Flying and packing for a family of four has a few more hurdles as we don't really want to carry any extra suitcases, so four people's luggage fits in two suitcases, and hand luggage basically comprises two rucksacks.

Do I have any game changers? Yes! Is there anything I'd thoroughly recommend? Yes!

Packing cubes

I've just packed most of our clothes into these packing cubes from Amazon.

Everything feels organised, concise, tidy and packed! It's a really brilliant feeling! I'll update this later once we've been and are home. These were £6.69 for 6 bags, so they're as cheap as chips. They feel like they should withstand the use, but I guess time will tell, but as they're so cheap they don't have to last years, I'll be happy if they last a few holidays.

As of our holiday to Lanzarote in May, a Kindle is amazing! It is amazing to read while holding a child, doesn't really take up any room, can read in the dark and crucially never loose my place when a child inevitably needs something, screams, or grabs hold of me to drag me somewhere. I've been against a kindle for years, but hubby and I were totally converted this year. I still love a real book, and always will, but I always loose my page, now I can just read half a page at a time if that's the time I get. Flying back from Lanzarote I had B asleep on me for an hour, H playing Kindle Fire phonics and I read the whole time. It was amazing.

One handed reading really is a game changer!

Trunki

This is one thing which keeps H occupied and safely stores her bits and bobs which could make flying easier and lost suitcases, less traumatic! We usually pack:

• Blanket - H loves her thin fleecy Peppa Pig blanket and so it's easy to pop in to keep her warm on the plane or she often likes it in hotels for home comforts
• Spare clothes - we often pop a spare set of clothes for everyone in, and a swimming costume each in case or luggage gets delayed.
• Buckle toy - again one from travelling with an 18 month old, but perfect for B at 15 months old.
• A few toys, crayons, a colouring book
• Books - H and B both love books, so a few books never go a miss.
• A favourite cuddly/dolly - H has her doll and B, her bunny.

Passports & boarding passes

Kindle - as above!

Snacks - I've got mini-cheddars, Kiddilicious veggie sticks, raisins, 4 fruit pouches for take off and landing (great for stopping ears hurting as much)

I've also packed a few little toys for B in a little zipped pouch - a duck, compass, wiggly worm.

Nom Nom snack pouches - fold flat but great for snacks

Babble band monitor - compact baby monitor

Hooded towels - snug for after the pool

Snoozeshade - naps and sun protection winner!

Littlelife reins backpack - perfect for B to also carry her drink and some toys

After having to buy a thermometer in Menorca, we always carry a spare in our sponge bag and usually take our ever faithful usual thermometer which we absolutely trust. Obviously our sponge bags contain calpol and Nelsons plus paracetamol for us.

Mini bottle of washing liquid

Mini bottle of Fairy liquid

I think that's it, but I'll add anything else I think of while we're away...

Have a fab week folks! And, happy holidays if you're reading this while packing for your holibobs!