What to pack for your baby or toddler when going on a sunny summer holiday: Under 3s Packing List

The Know & Play Space
Jul 8
4 min read

If it wasn't stressful enough packing for yourself to go on holiday, but packing for a little one (or multiple little ones)... WOAAH the whole game got a whole lot harder.

Hopefully this blog post will provide a sense of calm whilst you pack as is everything we've taken or used after going on multiple sunshine holidays with either one or two little people!

*NOTE: This packing list is for sunny holidays and is for one baby/young child. Repeat the necessary parts of the list if taking multiple children! Some things may not be necessary - tailor for different ages.*

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Sleep

Travel Cot/ Inflatable Floor Bed (if the place your staying doesn't provide one)/ Inflatable Floor Bed *TIP: Practise sleeping in this at home before you go!*
Travel Cot/ Floor Bed Sheets *TIP: Take sheets that have already been slept on for a few nights so they smell like home!*
Portable Bed Guard (if necesasry, or just pop the mattress on the floor!)
Sleeping Bag(s)
Baby Blanket(s) *TIP: Keep one in your carry on for the plane, as air con can be chilly!*
Comforter
White Noise Machine (if your little one uses this for sleep time) & Charger
Baby Monitor & Charger (not that you'll leave them, but incase you're in another room in a villa or sat out on the balcony of a hotel room etc.)
Plug Adaptors (check which version you need)
Blackout Blind
Nightlight & Charger
Dummies

Clean

Towel(s) (if the place you're staying doesn't provide them)
Baby Wash & Lotion
Flannel(s) / Sponge(s)
Baby Friendly Anti-Bacterial Wipes/ Milton Sterilisting Wipes
Baby Wipes
Nappies
Nappy Bags
Nappy Rash Cream/ Ointment
Cotton Wool Pads
Travel Changing Mat
Mini Travel Clothing Wash & Stain Remover Bar (if you're wanting to get stains out asap!)
Bin Bags (for all the dirty clothes)
Pegs (to hang up clothes to air/dry)
Toothbrush/Toothpaste (if little one has teeth yet!)
Portable Potty (+ plenty of spare pants if potty learning)
Muslins

Wear

Comfy outfit to travel there in, inc. a jumper for the plane (+ complete change of outfit)

Then...

Day 1 - Daytime Outfit (TIP: think COOL, COMFY and able to MOVE EASILY in)
Day 1 - Complete change of clothes
Day 1 Evening Outfit (if you want to get a bit 'dressier' for dinner etc. but of course, they are only little... and will probably be asleep. You may however want an easy-wear extra layer incase it gets a bit chillier.)
REPEAT ^ for number of days you are staying.

And don't forget travelling home...

Comfy outfit to travel home in, inc. a jumper for the plane (+ complete change of outfit)
Socks
Shoes eg. Trainers, Sandals, Crocs, Soft Sole Shoes (if little one is cruising/walking then pool shoes like grippy water shoes are helpful, esepcially as the tiles around the pool area can get so hot)
Pyjamas/Nightwear + spare set
Sun Hat(s)

Swim

Swim Suits
Swim Nappies (disposable/resuable or both!)
Swim Ring
Swim Float/Vest/Arm-bands
Towelling Coverup(s) (for babies who are crawling/newly walking, it's best to get the shortie style ones instead of a dress/robe style as these get caught under them when moving)
UV Protection Swim Hat(s)
Sunglasses (optional... they're only little, & they'll probably get played with, but sometimes the sun can be so bright!)
Pool Shoes/Socks (with grippy soles)
UV-Protection Tent
Waterproof-based Floor Mat/Picnic Blanket
Distinctive Towels (so you know which sunbeds are yours!)
Plastic Bags/Wet Bags to put wet swim things in after the pool

Eat

Bibs *TIP: Keep at least one in your carry on for the airport/plane*
Cutlery & Cutlery Pouch/Holder
Foldable, wipe-clean Floor Mat (If you're at the super messy eating stage no one likes going to a table where parents have left baby mess on the floor!)
Silicone Table Mat(s)
Plates/Bowls
Bottles/Milk Cups
Formula Powder (if bottle feeding)
Ready-made Formula Bottles (for ease on the plane, if bottle feeding!)
Water Cup(s)
Milton Tablets to sterilise without a microwave
Milk Cooling Device (if you're bottle feeding)
Travel Flask (for boiling water if bottle feeding)
Insulated Lunch Box/Small Cool Bag (handy for packing fresh snacks)
Reusable Tubs/Bags (for taking snacks from the restaurant- teehee!)

On the Go

Folding Travel Buggy (We took the Joolz Aer on the last two holidays, which was fab as it went on as hand luggage)
Rockit /similar
Snooze Shade
Clip -on Travel Fan
Spare Batteries for Travel Fan
Large Muslin (handy to create a big of extra shade when clipped up)
Big Clips (for clipping on towels/hanging up muslins for extra shade)
Dummy Clips
Buggy Toy Clips
Sling/Carrier

Health

Mini First Aid Kit
Calpol Sachets
Teething Gel
Suncream
Aftersun
Insect Repellant
Insect Bite Cream
Piriton
Medicine Spoons/Syringes
Clear Plastic Bags (for popping suncream bottles in etc as they have a habit of leaking when they get hot!)

Play

Water Toys eg. Stacking Cups, Jugs, Boats / Beach Toys (if you've got a beach to go to!)
Travel Toys for the Plane eg. Board Books, Small Rattles, Teether, Fidget Spinners, Popits, Sensory Scarves, Water-based Colouring *TIP: Store a selection of toys in a few clear bags, and only bring one bag out at a time so that you have a new selection of toys left in the bag for when your little one needs new entertainment*
Books
Favourite Comforter
Toys for in the hotel room/ on the holiday (as there's bound to be times when you're in your accomodation instead of out in the pool/at the beach etc.)