What should the kids take on holiday? Here's an idea..by Jess and Robert

Our Fun Packs
It's always tricky to know what to pack to take on holiday, not least when you have children. It's particularly difficult when you have all the paraphernalia of a small child, but while you can dispense with buggies and nappy bags as the kids grow up, these get replaced with masses of toys and books. Often (as I know to my chagrin after schlepping heavy bags on train, plane and car), much of the stuff taken on trips doesn't get used. What's a parent to do?

These real-life experiences meant that luxury hotel company Original Travel's new tie-up with Sharky and George immediately caught my eye. Their aim is for children to have a great holiday experience (something we all know means that the adults are likely to have a great time too), providing what they describe as "stimulating fun and educational adventures" for your kids

They're doing this in a variety of ways (see the website for more information) and the one which attracted us was the introduction of some holiday fun packs, tailored to each individual child. Jess and Robert decided to check them out on your behalf. The bags are intended for the whole trip, not just the journey, which does indeed sound a clever idea...

Over to Jess:
Robert and I were sent some packs of our own, which were AMAZING! The packs are for ages 3-12 and even though I thought I would be too old, I wasn't.
First of all, we both took questionnaires to help the people at Original Travel and Sharky and George decide what to put in our bags. We answered questions such as our favourite colours, what we like to do outside and what our favourite TV shows/ films are. We also said where we were going on holiday this summer, so they could give us bags which were relevant to us.

Our packs arrived quickly and we really loved them. Here is what we thought...
Robert  with his pack

Jess - My pack came in a really useful bag and was full to the brim with loads to do. As I had said that I was going cycling in Austria, I was given a water bottle and a headphone splitter, which can also be used to make your phone stand up. There was loads in my bag, even a booklet that had questions about Austria on it! I absolutely can't wait to take my pack on holiday, as I adore every single thing inside it. It actually contained things which I would use.

Robert - My pack is really good! At first I thought it looked a bit babyish as there was a cuddly toy on the outside, but mum told me that you can take it off so that was okay.
Everything came in a very useful bag and it was full of lots of cool things. My bag had space scratch art decorations (I said that I was going to Nasa Space Camp!), make-your-own space gliders, t-shirt graffiti, two different slime activities, pens, water bombs, tattoos, a massive book filled with games, a notepad and EDIBLE BUGS! I can't wait to make my own slime and use the water bombs. There was also a mini booklet that had lots of activities and games to do when I am on holiday.

The contents of my pack
These packs are really helpful for going on holiday, as they include things that you wouldn't necessarily take with you on a normal trip and there are loads of wacky, out of the box ideas to fight boredom on long journeys, in your hotel room, or anywhere really! I know that it is normally really hard to decide what to bring on holiday, but with a pack like this you don't face this problem. I genuinely think that this is great for every child aged 12 or under, as they seem to put some real thought into the packs that they give you.

Families receive the fun packs up to four weeks before going on holiday because Original Travel found that most parents buy their children games and things to do before they go away. The idea is that the pack will take all that stress away, which sounds good to us.

If you would like more articles written by both me and Robert, check these out...

An Amazing Time At clueQuest By All Of Us

Travelling Times - Our "Bests" Of 2013

Disclosure: Jessica and Robert were sent the packs to try out on a complimentary basis. However, their thoughts and descriptions are, of course, entirely their own.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Family Travel Times: What should the kids take on holiday? Here's an idea..by Jess and Robert

Tuesday, 6 May 2014

What should the kids take on holiday? Here's an idea..by Jess and Robert

Our Fun Packs
It's always tricky to know what to pack to take on holiday, not least when you have children. It's particularly difficult when you have all the paraphernalia of a small child, but while you can dispense with buggies and nappy bags as the kids grow up, these get replaced with masses of toys and books. Often (as I know to my chagrin after schlepping heavy bags on train, plane and car), much of the stuff taken on trips doesn't get used. What's a parent to do?

These real-life experiences meant that luxury hotel company Original Travel's new tie-up with Sharky and George immediately caught my eye. Their aim is for children to have a great holiday experience (something we all know means that the adults are likely to have a great time too), providing what they describe as "stimulating fun and educational adventures" for your kids

They're doing this in a variety of ways (see the website for more information) and the one which attracted us was the introduction of some holiday fun packs, tailored to each individual child. Jess and Robert decided to check them out on your behalf. The bags are intended for the whole trip, not just the journey, which does indeed sound a clever idea...

Over to Jess:
    Robert and I were sent some packs of our own, which were AMAZING! The packs are for ages 3-12 and even though I thought I would be too old, I wasn't.
    First of all, we both took questionnaires to help the people at Original Travel and Sharky and George decide what to put in our bags. We answered questions such as our favourite colours, what we like to do outside and what our favourite TV shows/ films are. We also said where we were going on holiday this summer, so they could give us bags which were relevant to us.

    Our packs arrived quickly and we really loved them. Here is what we thought...
    Robert  with his pack

    Jess - My pack came in a really useful bag and was full to the brim with loads to do. As I had said that I was going cycling in Austria, I was given a water bottle and a headphone splitter, which can also be used to make your phone stand up. There was loads in my bag, even a booklet that had questions about Austria on it! I absolutely can't wait to take my pack on holiday, as I adore every single thing inside it. It actually contained things which I would use.

    Robert - My pack is really good! At first I thought it looked a bit babyish as there was a cuddly toy on the outside, but mum told me that you can take it off so that was okay.
    Everything came in a very useful bag and it was full of lots of cool things. My bag had space scratch art decorations (I said that I was going to Nasa Space Camp!), make-your-own space gliders, t-shirt graffiti, two different slime activities, pens, water bombs, tattoos, a massive book filled with games, a notepad and EDIBLE BUGS! I can't wait to make my own slime and use the water bombs. There was also a mini booklet that had lots of activities and games to do when I am on holiday.

    The contents of my pack
    These packs are really helpful for going on holiday, as they include things that you wouldn't necessarily take with you on a normal trip and there are loads of wacky, out of the box ideas to fight boredom on long journeys, in your hotel room, or anywhere really! I know that it is normally really hard to decide what to bring on holiday, but with a pack like this you don't face this problem. I genuinely think that this is great for every child aged 12 or under, as they seem to put some real thought into the packs that they give you.

    Families receive the fun packs up to four weeks before going on holiday because Original Travel found that most parents buy their children games and things to do before they go away. The idea is that the pack will take all that stress away, which sounds good to us.

    If you would like more articles written by both me and Robert, check these out...

    An Amazing Time At clueQuest By All Of Us

    Travelling Times - Our "Bests" Of 2013

    Disclosure: Jessica and Robert were sent the packs to try out on a complimentary basis. However, their thoughts and descriptions are, of course, entirely their own.

    Labels: , , , , , ,

    35 Comments:

    At 6 May 2014 at 06:35 , Anonymous Kate Thompson said...

    Those packs look great, I will bear them in mind!

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 06:48 , Anonymous Ellie Harvie-August said...

    I'll be dealing with all of this soon (my first baby is on her way) and these packs look really handy! I'll keep an eye out for them when she is old enough :)

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 06:54 , Anonymous beautyqueenuk said...

    I love how you have included them both and their views in this post, so cute x
    www.beautyqueenuk.co.uk

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 07:18 , Anonymous Sara-Jayne Jones said...

    We did this for our flight to Florida this year, they were live savers! We filled one Trunki with snacks and one with games, books and toys. It worked brilliantly!

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 07:21 , Anonymous Bex said...

    Such a fantastic idea for a post! We're going away soon so will definitely take this on board!x

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 08:26 , Anonymous You Baby Me Mummy said...

    What a great idea. Lovely to get their own views x

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 10:23 , Anonymous Polly Davies said...

    what a good idea!

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 12:58 , Anonymous Globalmouse said...

    These look brilliant - we're always looking for great solutions for travelling away in the car or plane journeys.

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 14:12 , Anonymous Debbie Johnson said...

    They look like such a clever idea, and great to hear how tailored there are. Lovely to read a review from the perspective of the user.

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 14:51 , Anonymous Healthier Mummy said...

    What a great idea. Could do with these for my three kids when we go away in the summer. It would certainly stop me worrying about how to keep them entertained.

     
    At 6 May 2014 at 15:46 , Anonymous Happy Homebird said...

    Brilliant idea. I always need lots of ways to keep my son occupied whilst on holiday. Love the thought they put into this and love the review.

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 00:59 , Anonymous Michelle Ordever said...

    I love the idea of buying ready made packs for holidays - especially if they can be tailored to fit!

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 02:00 , Anonymous Mums do travel said...

    What a clever idea - have fun using your packs!

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 02:12 , Anonymous Suzanne W said...

    Anything that assists amusing children on a long journey is genius in my book - these sound great!

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 03:06 , Anonymous bloggingastrid.com said...

    Great idea. I'm glad Jess and Robert enjoyed their bags.

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 04:46 , Anonymous Sonya Cisco said...

    Sounds like a great idea, I always try and pack a few new bits and bobs, especially for long journeys, so this would save me the bother!

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 05:17 , Anonymous Kara Guppy said...

    Very good idea and like they can be tailor made to suit the children. I have to admit I tend to do our own though

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 07:52 , Anonymous Vai Chin said...

    Sounds like a great idea. We always involve J in his packing to prevent unexpected meltdowns later on!

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 11:03 , Anonymous Vicky Wombwell Kuhn said...

    These sound like a wonderful idea. Travel is hard with kids and it's great to have a pack full of things Jess and Robert absolutely love. Great reviews guys :-)
    Love Vicky
    http://www.aroundandupsidedown.co.uk/

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 13:00 , Anonymous J said...

    The packs really would be a great thing to take on holiday! Thanks for the comment...

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 13:01 , Anonymous J said...

    It is a brilliant idea - I wish that I could have one for every holiday!

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 13:02 , Anonymous J said...

    Thank you! Yes, they put loads of thought into the bags, meaning that we absolutely loved them!

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 13:04 , Anonymous J said...

    We do too, but these contain some fab ideas and projects that we just wouldn't be able to get ourselves!

    Thanks for commenting...

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 13:05 , Anonymous J said...

    They are really fantastic.

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 13:07 , Anonymous J said...

    Thanks for commenting!
    Yes, you should 100% get one in a few years; they are perfect for everyone.

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 13:08 , Anonymous J said...

    It is great, and full of some amazing things that you really wouldn't think to normally pack!

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 14:28 , Anonymous Helen Dickinson said...

    Fantastic post. Always useful to see what others like to pack when going away on holiday. Some great ideas.

     
    At 7 May 2014 at 16:53 , Anonymous Lori Taylor Arnold said...

    What a great idea and it's always good to hear it directly from the kids. The most honest critics ;) x

     
    At 8 May 2014 at 05:04 , Anonymous MummyNeverSleeps said...

    What a fab idea and one less thing for us parents to worry about when we're going away! Great post :)

     
    At 8 May 2014 at 05:53 , Anonymous Kizzy said...

    Loving these bags, really could have used something like this for our recent trip

     
    At 9 May 2014 at 03:21 , Anonymous Trish Burgess said...

    Are the packs free if you book with Original Travel? If so, I think it's a super idea. A bit like the packs you can get on camping holidays but a lot more exciting.

     
    At 9 May 2014 at 05:49 , Anonymous Sarah Ebner said...

    Hi Trish, yes you get them when you book a holiday with Original Travel. I think it's a great idea too!

     
    At 11 May 2014 at 01:33 , Anonymous fritha strickland said...

    great ideas! we are off on hols at the end of the month so will keep these in mind! x

     
    At 26 December 2014 at 15:26 , Anonymous Coombemill said...

    A brilliant idea, I love that they are tailored to your holiday and needs of the child.

     
    At 27 December 2014 at 03:52 , Anonymous Sarah Ebner said...

    Yes, they really are great. So clever and thoughtful.

     

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