Depending on your nationality, children’s passports usually only last for five years. This means that they will need to renew sooner than a standard 10-year adult passport. In addition, most countries may also require you to have six months remaining on a passport past the date you’re expected to return. As such, to be safe, we recommend you check your child’s passports and renew them ahead of time. 

Absolutely not essential, but having a passport cover will help prevent wear and tear on your passport. One that lasts? This passport cover from Tumi.

Your dream holiday break could head south very quickly if your child strays a little too far or wanders off into the distance. Instead of watching them like a hawk, dedicated GPS tracking devices like myFirst Fone R1s offer many safety benefits but in smaller and more sophisticated child-friendly designs. Using GPS tracking for children can provide peace of mind and security for both you and them.

Planning for a short tropical getaway in Asia? Don’t forget to bring along insect-repellents like DEET-free patches, sprays, and even tea-tree oil to keep the bugs away! For extra protection against  annoying mozzies? This PowerPac mosquito killer lamp insect repellent. 

If you’re travelling to somewhere cold during the December school holidays, be sure not to leave the house without lip balm. We recommend, Naturaverde’s lip balm. Its hydrating formula prevents cold sores and chapped lips.

As we all already know, children don’t have the same attention span that we do, and bringing a supply of toys goes a long way to keep them occupied. 

Every baby or toddler has their own preferences for what keeps them entertained. But, some popular items that are easy to pack and bring along include rattles, books, and toys that light up or have sounds (just not those obnoxiously loud ones), colouring books, and stickers. Modern parents usually find the iPad or tablet very useful. While some may be wary of letting their child use digital devices for long periods, there’s no denying that on a long flight, that may just give you the respite you need.

Don’t forget to pack the items your child needs to keep comfortable, for instance, their favourite plushies or“chou chou”?

If there’s one thing more important than wet wipes when it comes to travel essentials, it’s probably snacks. Having (read: a lot) of healthy snacks on hand is crucial for many reasons because, after all, a hungry child is probably an angry child. Be sure to pack a wide selection of biscuits and snacks so that you’ll always have something to stave off their munchies.

Despite all that talk about how tiring it can be to travel with your little ones in tow, a holiday abroad as a family still makes for a memorable trip! Make sure you have a good camera or phone on hand to capture all the best moments. After all, there’s no better souvenir than a family photograph or a picture of your lil’ one having fun. If your kids want to snap pictures, you can also consider getting this digital camera from MyFirst. Cute, lightweight, and easy to operate, with an additional instant-print function, this camera is great for your aspiring photographer at home!

From boarding passes to travel itineraries, credit cards, and visas, there are many documents to manage while travelling. You’d have to handle their documents when you travel with kids too! You can buy a small bag or travel organiser like a Notebook Passport Holder to make things easier. Your essential travel documents will be kept neat and tidy with four separate compartments. If you are looking for more space, then the Troika Organiser Document Travel Case comes with five inner compartments, a large outer compartment, and an elastic compartment for your smartphone. It even has pen loops and a compartment to hold your notebook – perfect for when your child wants to unleash their inner Picasso on-the-go.

We’re big on packing cubes, and we just can’t get enough of them. And when it comes to packing for a family holiday, they might prove even more valuable. Separating your kids’ clothes, shoes, and underwear in a suitcase is great, as it prevents the clean clothes from mixing with the dirty ones. Furthermore, packing cubes are also perfect for keeping their outfits organised – this makes every parent’s life easier. 

As parents, this one goes without saying, but packing and travelling with kids can be an overwhelming experience at times, so it pays to keep calm. Doing the necessary research and planning can go a long way to ensure your trip is a stress-free experience. However, there will inevitably be times when things just do not go your way, and you’ll just have to go along with them. 

So, remember to take a deep breath, keep your cool, and remember that at the end of the day, what matters is that both you and your child are having fun on the holiday break. It’s all about creating lasting memories that you will look back on fondly.

Travelling with your kids can be tiring. Still, there’s no denying that it promises a fruitful bonding experience over the long holidays or school breaks. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to book that flight and start packing your bags with these travel essentials. 

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