There's a particular kind of denial that sets in the night before a family holiday. You stare at the suitcase. You stare at the mountain of stuff. You estimate, optimistically, that you can fit it all in. You cannot. You will overpack the wrong things and underpack the right ones.
After four founders' worth of travel chaos, we've worked out a swim-specific packing list that holds up. This isn't the full holiday list — it's just the swim and water bit, because that's where most parents end up over- or under-prepared.
Per kid, per holiday
- 3 Toggies, minimum. One on, one wet, one drying. Two is not enough — trust us.
- 1 rashie or extra UPF top for full-coverage days when you can't reapply sunscreen every twenty minutes.
- 1 wide-brim hat with chin strap (the strap is non-negotiable, no matter how much your toddler protests).
- Reef-safe sunscreen — don't trust hotel mini-bottles.
- Swim nappies if your kid is still in them. Quantity = (days × 2) + 4 for emergencies.
- Towel poncho. Way easier than a regular towel for kids who don't stand still.
- Goggles for over-3s, even if you don't think they'll wear them.
- A waterproof wet bag for shuttling soaking suits between hotel and pool.
What to leave at home
Here's the bit no one tells you. Some classic holiday packing wisdom is wrong when kids are involved. We'd skip:
- Inflatable pool toys — most resorts and Airbnbs have them, and they take up your entire suitcase.
- Multiple types of sunscreen — pick one good one and bring two bottles.
- Beach toys — buy a cheap set on day one and gift them to another family on the last day.
- Three different swim costumes for yourself — you'll wear two.
- Extra cute outfits for photo days — your kid will wear the first thing you grab and refuse the planned outfit. Always.
On the plane
Pack one Toggie, a swim nappy, and a small towel in your hand luggage. Two reasons. One: airport bathrooms have been an unexpected nappy-change moment for every family we know. Two: if your luggage gets lost (it happens), you can still hit the pool on day one and worry about the rest tomorrow.
Also: don't put sunscreen in your carry-on if it's bigger than 100ml. We've left more half-full sunscreens at security than we'd like to admit.
The first 24 hours
If you're heading somewhere hot, the first 24 hours are the riskiest sun-wise. Your kid's skin hasn't acclimatised. You're tired. You forget to reapply. We always plan a slow, mostly-shaded morning on day one and save the proper beach day for day two.
And we always — always — get the kid into a Toggie and a hat before they've even fully woken up. Saves the daily "do I have to put it ON" argument.
The emergency outfit
Pack one full "emergency change" set in a snap-lock bag at the top of the day bag. Toggie, dry undies if applicable, dry top, dry shorts. The day will come — usually on day three, in a moment of public chaos — when you need it. Future you will thank present you.
And finally: extra Toggies are not a luxury
This is the one thing every holidaying mum tells us afterwards. Two Toggies feels like enough until day two. Three feels like enough until day four. Four lets you actually relax. They take up almost no suitcase space — fold them flat at the bottom of your kid's stack — so go heavy.
Go away. Have fun. Bring extra Toggies. That's basically the holiday parenting cheat code.
