It feels like a lifetime ago now, but in June we packed our bags, our babies, and all the chaos that comes with them and headed to sunny Agadir, Morocco for our annual summer break.
I can still smell the sea salt in the air, the grilled sardines and veal at every corner, and the beautiful warmth of the Moroccan sun on my skin. Take me back already.
As a mum of two young kids, planning a trip to a new country is basically a full-time job. My brain was full of questions:
What will the kids eat? What will they drink? Will they nap? Will they melt down mid-flight?
Honestly, sometimes I wish we could just pack up the whole house into one bag because there’s always that one thing you forget that ends up being a big deal.
The Master Packing List (or: How I Keep My Sanity)
Step one of every trip: make a list.
Step two: check it twice, like Santa.
Here’s what we packed for a 5-day trip with a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old (plus a few extras for those "just in case" moments):
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Clothes for each child (5 days plus 3 spare outfits)
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Pyjamas (3 each)
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Sandals
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Sneakers (optional, since it was 35°C every day)
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Toothbrush and toothpaste
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Soap, shower gel, and lotion
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Sunscreen (a lot of it)
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Hats (which we forgot, more on that below)
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Lightweight baby carrier
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Foldable stroller
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Cot (confirmed with the hotel ahead of time)
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Cot sheets (to avoid hotel laundry reactions)
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Swimwear and floats
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First aid kit: Calpol, allergy meds, plasters, rash oil
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5 days’ worth of baby food (2 Heinz jars per day)
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Tablet for the 4-year-old
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Ear defenders for the flight
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Passports
And that’s just the kids. I hadn’t even packed for myself yet.
Experience has taught me: if it’s not written down, it’s probably not going in the bag.
Travel Day: The Bit Where You Wonder Why You Booked This Trip
We took the train from St Helens to Manchester Airport. As soon as we boarded, I immediately wished we had invested in one of those mini ride-on luggage scooters for my 4-year-old. That would have been one less bag for us to carry and a whole lot more fun for him.
Bless my husband, who ended up looking like a family-sized turtle with a backpack on his front, another on his back, and everything else carefully stacked on our baby stroller. That stroller worked overtime. It wasn’t just transport, it became a luggage trolley, a restaurant highchair, and a sleep pod. If there’s one item I’d never travel without, it’s that stroller.
Right behind it on the must-have list is the baby carrier. My extremely active 1-year-old stayed safely strapped in as we navigated airport queues, customs, and transfers. It was one less thing to chase down or stress about.
The Hat Saga
We landed in Agadir to blue skies and blazing sun.
And that’s when it hit me.
We forgot the hats.
The Moroccan sun did not waste any time. By the time we stepped off the plane, it was already piercing through our skulls and straight into mum guilt territory.
Our first purchase? You guessed it. Three “I love Agadir” souvenir hats from the gift shop. Not our proudest parenting moment, but at least it made for a funny story and some very touristy photos.
What We Recommend
Based on this trip, here are two items we genuinely couldn’t have done without, and a few others we’ll be taking along next time.
Must-Haves:
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Foldable Stroller
We used it to transport bags, seat the baby in restaurants, and give her a nap space on the go. Choose one that reclines and folds quickly for travel. -
Baby Carrier
A secure and breathable carrier is worth its weight in gold in airports, queues, and unfamiliar terrain. It gave us hands-free freedom and kept baby safe and close.
What We’ll Bring Next Time:
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Children’s Scooter Suitcase
Turns your toddler into a mini traveller and takes the weight off your back. -
Sun Hats (Multiples)
Pack backups in your day bag and carry-on. You do not want to be hunting for hats under 35-degree sun. -
Cooling Towels or Mini Fans
Just enough to take the edge off when you’re out sightseeing with kids in extreme heat. -
Snack Packs and Reusable Water Bottles
Keep kids hydrated and tantrum-free with healthy snacks and refillable bottles. -
Lightweight Travel Blanket
Useful on flights, in hotel rooms, or even on the beach.
Travelling with kids isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. The meltdowns, the unexpected purchases, the things you forgot to pack — they all become part of the story. And somehow, those are the stories you end up telling again and again.
Would I do it all again?
Absolutely.
But next time, I’m starting with the hats.
