We’d love to tell you that this house runs like clockwork the night before a holiday road trip. Who are we kidding? It’s a proper madhouse. Kids tearing about in a blur, suitcases spilling their guts, shouts filling the hallway and a confident declaration of “ I’ve packed everything”, that turns out to be a lie.
Well, this time we won’t let chaos win the round. Here’s a proper checklist that makes life easier. Helping you breeze through the holiday without a single meltdown. So, go on, dive into the list we’ve put together.
Get All Your Emus in a Row
Grab a glass of something cold and let’s start with making the list. A written family holiday packing list will save you from several ‘OOPs moments’. And then keep adding to the list as you remember. Especially those 2:00 am reminders, because apparently that’s when your brain clocks in for the shift.
Start With The Precious Cargo
Forget the documents and the whole trip is toast before you’ve left the driveway. Licences, insurance papers, the whole lot. Finding these documents in your bag can feel like searching Hermione's magically expanded cape.
Well, Capacious Extremis may not work, but our neoprene cross-body bags hold everyone's documents together, with enough room for licences and a bit of spare cash too. And the waterproof lining keeps your documents safe from any unexpected drizzle.
Adding to that, here are a few more essentials:
- Kids and the other half - easy to lose track of in the crowd
- Pets sorted - sitter, kennel or travel along
- Wi-Fi check - Shh!! Don’t tell the kids, this one’s for you.
Packing Your Outfits
Your photo deserves to be perfect. Sort out your outfits for the day along with its accessories. You definitely do not want your signature pieces going rogue.
Arrange them in order in a suitcase of your own choosing, along with these non-negotiables:
- Giant quick-dry towels- for a quick dip in the pool or ocean
- Swim shorts - for any impromptu plunge into the lake
- Knickers, plenty - it’s never too much
- Comfy outfits - because nobody needs a meltdown over an itchy waistband four hours into the drive.
Plan for the extremes
This summer has been relentless. Weeks of searing sunshine, the driest one yet. But don’t let the heatwave fool you into something light. Our UK weather doesn’t do consistency for long; muggy grey days can roll in without warning.
Let’s cover all the bases. Pack a light jacket and quick-dry shorts
- Dry bags - for the beach
- Poncho - for those unexpected weather turns
- Wellies - for some pro-level puddle stomping
- Sunnies - to hide from the sun
- Quick-dry towelling shorts - for lazy days by the pool
Make-up and Skincare Goodies
Are you trying to cram one more product into that poor old pouch?
Put the poor thing out of its misery. Use our Bobby Bags for all your travel-sized make-up, skincare essentials and toiletries. Bold in colour. Speaks up from the depths of your suitcase. And there’s no need to worry about spillage as it’s waterproof lining ensure what goes in, stays in.
Miscellaneous Bits - IGNORE AT YOUR OWN PERIL
Not all glamorous, but they save the day:
Booze
- Gin - to give you the bounce in your stride
- Rosé - pretty, bubbly, need we say more
Entertainment
- A book - so that the pages don’t remain lonely at home
- Travel games - keeps all minds occupied and will buy a few moments of peace for you (Treasure them!!)
Things to Book
- Restaurant tables - For a little well-deserved relaxation for all the mums out there.
- Babysitter + online food shop - delicious food delivered as you arrive.
- Surf/sailing lessons - proper outdoor time, everyone gets a dose of Vitamin D and works off the kids’ energy. A win-win for all.
Car
- MOT, oil, tyres sorted - before you start, obviously
- Sweets - who are we kidding, occasional bribery is inevitable
- Tissues + sick bags - aim for the bag, not the seats
- Get the car roofbox fitted - for hauling everyone’s essentials
Medical Bits
- Sudocrem - for all those chafed bottoms after too much sand and salty water
- After sun cream - to soothe and moisturise the skin after a little too much fun in the sun and salty sea air. Kids' coloured sun block (doubles as a harmless face paint - peak mum’s hack)
- Plasters - For those accidents
- Waspeze - for those unwelcome stings during an ice-cream run
If you’d like a more nitty -gritty list, take a peek at this handy little number.
Pack Smart, Not Stressed
Let's address the great unspoken road trip tradition: one poor soul ends up carrying everything including all the family travel accessories. Snacks, spare clothes, wet towels, someone's "just in case" jumper, a shoe that's mysteriously come off. And nine times out of ten, that poor soul is ‘Mum’.
Not on our watch.
The fix is stupidly simple: give everyone their own bag. A proper Go Emu Dry Bag each, in their own colour, their own size- roll-top or dry-zip, whichever suits how much faffing about you fancy, either way water isn't getting in. And suddenly everyone's carrying their own kit, everyone knows exactly whose bag is whose, and Mum finally gets to walk from the car to the beach holding nothing more than her choice of drink!
Treat yourself and the ‘Mums’ to something bright with Go Emu’s collection of clothing, bags, and accessories with a 10% discount (Use code: GOEMU10).
Safe travels! Stock up on those wild stories for the next family gathering.