Disclosure: This post was written and sponsored by Tanya.
Travlling with kids, and especially younger ones, is daunting at the best of times. Throw in the hubbub of the big city into the mix and you may find yourself coming out in a cold sweat. Your fear may lead to frantically trying to cram everything you own into a small overnight bag. Stop. Stay calm, and as one of those iconic motivational posters should read: Keep calm and leave the kitchen sink at home. If central London is too daunting, try staying just outside in greater London and traveling in. Check out the Travelodge hotels in Kingston and you can bring your car full of everything you need without worrying about congestion charges. Don’t go overboard though, check through this list of things you really shouldn’t bring.
White and light clothes
When staying away from home you will not be able to throw dirty clothes straight in the wash, or even take them off as soon as they are dirtied if you are out and about at the time. Avoid staining your favourite white or light clothes and instead pack darks and colours.
Bibs
Bibs are great, but they are just glorified napkins. As with clothes you won’t be able to wash your baby’s bibs as they are worn and you would therefore need to pack enough to have a fresh one for each meal. Cut down on the packing, bring a few for emergencies but use paper napkins where available, or bring your own disposable paper bibs which are much smaller than cloth and you don’t have to take them home.
Extra Nappies
Bring some nappies, and some means not your entire stockpile you’ve been collecting incase of a war situation. Bring what you need and you can always pick these up if you need more. Nappies take up heaps of space, so it’d be really great if you could leave that extra 48 pack at home and nip to the shop if you find you’re down to the last couple instead. It’s London; they sell everything imaginable so you will certainly find the nappies of your choice.
Different Shampoos
Leave the super expensive salon standard shampoo at home, save on space and share with the kids while you’re away. You may find that there’s shampoo in the bathroom where you are staying and if not children’s shampoo leaves your hair super soft, so it’s a win-win.
Big Bulky Toys
You are travelling to a city, there is no room for bulky toys that tots will inevitable want to carry on the cramped tube or busy streets. Limit toys to one or two smallish treasures each, usually one cuddly for sleeping and one other. Older children will often opt for a 3DS or other electronic toy all, of which are great for when you are on the move, as well as having the added advantage of being pocket sized.
Taking your kids on a trip to the capital needn’t be a headache, just try to remember how long you are going for and decide what things you absolutely can’t live without. Traveling with children does mean taking more things than normal which is why, if you can, it is a good idea to stay slightly out of the city and take public transport in to see the sights.
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