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Month: June 2024

A Last-Minute Summer Holiday Packing List for Families

Posted on by Amaan Salie

Summer is the time for unforgettable family adventures. Whether you’re planning an action-packed staycation exploring the great UK outdoors or jetting off to sunnier shores, one challenge unites parents everywhere: holiday packing. From making sure you’ve crammed in every tiny item of clothing to not forgetting the all-important cuddly companions, getting the holiday packing right is a skill. 
As local experts at helping families move and store their belongings, we’ve designed the ultimate holiday packing list for families to make sure not a single toy or travel essential gets left behind. With these tips, you can float off on your next family adventure panic- and tantrum-free.

What To Pack for a Summer Beach Holiday? The Full Packing List for Families

Hand Luggage

Remember those all-important carry-on essentials to keep kids happy and entertained on the journey: 

  • Tablet/smartphone loaded with games/movies
  • Headphones
  • Snacks and water
  • Colouring books/puzzle books
  • A few small toys
  • Wipes
  • Change of clothes
  • Comfort toy/blanket

Travel Documents

If you’re planning a family holiday abroad this summer, remember to pack all the required travel documents for your overseas trip. Depending on your destination, you may need to apply for a visa before you can enter the country. 

Remember to do your research ahead of time and come prepared. A few essential documents to bring along include: 

  • Passports
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Boarding passes
  • Visa (if required)
  • Printed reservations/confirmation numbers

Kids’ Clothes

No matter if you’re headed to blazing hot beaches or embracing the classic British summer, having the right clothes packed is crucial. Kids can get grubby fast, so it’s wise to overpack a few extras! 

Remember to adjust the quantity to the number of days you plan to travel. Generally, a good rule of thumb is one shirt per day and one pair of shorts/bottoms for every two to three days. Pack a couple of extra sets of pyjamas too in case of any late-night spills or accidents. 

Use the below holiday packing list for one child on a one-week trip as a starting point, and simply double or triple up the quantities for your family:

  • 7–10 T-shirts/tops
  • 3–4 pairs of shorts
  • 1–2 pairs of jeans/trousers
  • 10 sets of underwear and socks
  • 2 sweaters/hoodies
  • 1 lightweight jacket
  • 1–2 pyjama sets
  • 1 swimsuit
  • 1 rash vest/swim shirt
  • 1 sun hat 
  • 1 pair of sandals 
  • 1 pair of closed-toe shoes

Parents’ Clothes

Don’t forget to pack for yourselves too! Clothing to include: 

  • 7 tops/T-shirts
  • 2 pairs of shorts
  • 2 dresses/skirts for her
  • 7 undergarments
  • 2 swimsuits
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat/baseball cap
  • Flip flops
  • Nicer shoes for going out
  • Lightweight jacket

Baby Essentials

Babies require enough equipment to make moving a house look simple. Don’t leave home without:

  • Plenty of nappies
  • Wipes
  • Bottles and formula/breast pump
  • Changing mat
  • Baby monitor
  • Pram
  • Toys 
  • Baby sunscreen and hat
  • Baby blanket 
  • Dummy or some sort of comfort item 

Health & Medical

Accidents and illnesses can easily derail a family holiday if you’re not prepared. From messy slips on the beach to bouts of traveller’s tummy from local street food, stocking up with the right medications is key to keeping the kids happy and out of harm’s way. These supplies include:

  • Compact travel first aid kit
  • All current prescription medications
  • Paracetamol/ibuprofen for aches, pains, and fevers
  • Adhesive bandages and antiseptic cream
  • Decongestants/expectorants for colds
  • Antihistamines for allergies or insect bites
  • Insect repellent
  • Anti-diarrhoea medication
  • Thermometer
  • Tweezers and scissors
  • Rehydration sachets

Toiletries

Somehow toiletries always get forgotten in the holiday packing frenzy. Make a list and check it twice to avoid any “uh-oh” moments when you arrive!

  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Body wash/soap
  • Sunscreen (factor 30+ for kids)
  • After-sun lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush and hair ties
  • Nail clippers
  • Medications/first aid kit
  • Nappy supplies if needed

Entertainment

Long journeys and rainy days require a vast reserve of toys and games to keep little ones occupied. An under-packed entertainment stash can spell disaster! Remember to pack:

  • Tablet/smartphone loaded with games/movies
  • Portable games console
  • Colouring books and crayons/pencils
  • Two or three favourite cuddly toys
  • Books and comics
  • Inflatable beach ball
  • Beach bucket and spade set
  • Frisbee
  • Beach ball
  • Kite
  • Snorkel set
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Travel board games like Uno, Connect 4, and Guess Who?

Make More Family Memories With Wigwam Self Storage

As you pack up for those long-awaited summer adventures, don’t let clutter at home cast a cloud over your family memories. Whether you’re getting organised before a big move or just need to reclaim some space from the kids’ ever-growing toy collection, Wigwam’s personal storage units provide the perfect answer.

Our secure, modern storage facilities across Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire offer flexible storage spaces that grow with your family’s needs, no matter how big or small. 

Get started with a free quote online, or contact your nearest Wigwam location to chat with one of our storage experts.

No Nursery? Try These Space-Saving Ideas for Baby Supplies

Posted on by Amaan Salie

Bringing your baby home is incredibly exciting. But as you settle into parenthood, the reality of limited space in your cosy home can quickly become a daily struggle (“Where do I store the nappies; where can I put the crib?”). It’s natural to wonder how you’ll fit everything in, especially without a designated nursery.  

It might seem like the only option is to pack it all in and move into a bigger (and more pricey) place, but the truth is, there’s a ton of room in your home waiting to be used. With a few small space ideas and some design inspiration, you can turn every nook and cranny in your home into a nurturing haven for your little one. 

  1. Clear Out the Clutter
Household clutter packed in boxes for storage

Trust us, decluttering is the easiest and most effective way to make more room at home, no matter how small your place is. By simply clearing out cluttered closets, cabinets, and storage areas, you can free up essential room for baby toys and gear.

During this process, consider donating items you no longer need or use, like old clothes or redundant kitchen gadgets. If there are a few valuable items you can’t get rid of but rarely use, renting a self storage unit might be a cheap and convenient solution for your family. 

  1. Get Smart With Furniture
Multi-purpose baby changing table with hidden storage

Luckily for you, we’re living in the 21st century. This means that a couch is no longer just a sofa. It can be a table, a bed, or even an extra storage area for baby’s blankets and toys. 

Multi-functional furniture is a great option for new parents with shrinking space at home. Invest in cribs with built-in drawers or a changing table that converts into a dresser. This way, you’re not just furnishing your space but also doubling storage without overwhelming the room.

  1. Think Up, Not Out
Vertical storage bins/shelves for baby toys

Your vertical space is a goldmine for storage. Whether you have wasted space above your couch or an empty wall in the passageway, strategically placed shelves can do wonders for your cluttered floor space. Here, you can stash away baby essentials like books, toys, and nappies, keeping them within reach and out of the way. 

Also Read: The best ways to organise a child’s playroom  

  1. Downsize the Gear
Modern and compact baby stroller in a small home

Babies come with a lot of gear, but you don’t need everything to be oversized. When buying essential items for the baby, look for compact prams, foldable high chairs, and portable playpens that you can easily hide away when not in use. It’s all about being flexible and saving space!

  1. Make Zones, Not Messes
Coloured rug under a baby crib

Divide your space into zones to make it work harder for you. A great way to do this is with rugs or curtains. Place a few of these throughout your small home to create separate areas for sleeping, playing, and feeding. This helps you create separate rooms and improve organisation without cornering off your space or making it feel smaller than it is. 

  1. Embrace Closet Space
Storage organisers

Don’t underestimate your wardrobe space. It’s amazing how much you can fit in there with the right setup! When the baby arrives, you can use organisers and storage bins to keep essentials tidy and easily accessible for those middle-of-the-night nappy changes. Install hanging shelves for clothes, and you can even hang a shoe organiser for nappies. 

  1. Let in Natural Light
Bright and open nursery in a small space

Natural light is your secret weapon in a small home. By simply bringing in more light, you can make your space feel brighter and more open. Keep curtains or blinds open during the day to let in as much sunlight as possible. Position mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of a larger space. If you’re lacking natural light, brightening up your space with natural, warm colours will also do the trick. 

  1. Create a Mobile Nursery
Baby bassinet on wheels

Design a nursery that can easily adapt to different areas of your home. Search for portable furniture like a bassinet on wheels or a lightweight playpen that can be moved from room to room. Use storage bins or baskets to store baby essentials, making it easy to grab and go. 

Make More Room Simply With Wigwam Self Storage

If you’re looking for a secure place to store your furniture or free up room for the baby, Wigwam is the way to go. Our modern facilities in Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire have a variety of storage units with flexible terms that grow with your family. 


Contact your nearest Wigwam to find out more or grab a quick quote online.