PACKING FOR A FAMILY HOLIDAY

Make a separate packing list for everyone in your family. Highlight items you’ll need to add just before you leave (favourite toys, snacks, electronics and chargers). Make a copy of this list to use when you head home.

Lay everything out on your bed – one pile for each member of the family. Seeing everything in one place helps you avoid over-packing. If in doubt, edit down by a third and take laundry tablets (not liquid).

Divide and conquer. Try packing the kids’ outfits by day in separate ziplock bags – you can even label them. Or pack like-with-like (shirts, dresses, tops, etc) in separate vacuum-pack bags or packing cubes. Always pack an extra day’s outfit.

Pack strategically. For instance, put beach towels and swimsuits right at the top of your case so you can jump straight into the water when you arrive.

Make your carry-on luggage work harder: take a bag that can double up as a beach bag/changing bag once you reach your destination.

Max your carry-on allowance and take a bag each. Kids love having their own travel bag (get one they can carry/pull themselves). Let them be involved in choosing what to pack.

Wear layers to travel – and wear the heaviest items (shoes are a real culprit for weighing down your suitcase). It’s worth packing a light jumper for breezy evenings, too.

Think of hand luggage as your survival kit. Don’t forget healthy snacks, wipes (even if you’re beyond the nappy stage), entertainment (a tablet loaded with favourite shows/games), books, colouring pad, crayons, stickers). Pack everything in separate ziplock bags and don’t forget a change of clothes for each of you.