School holidays hit differently.
One minute it's term time, everyone's out the door with lunchboxes and routines. The next, you've got the kids, zero structure and a bag that somehow needs to cover snacks, entertainment, sun cream, spare undies and your own sanity. All at once 😅
I get asked a lot what to pack for school holidays with kids, and honestly, my answer changes depending on the day. So I thought I'd share what's actually in my bag right now. Not the Pinterest version. The real one, and the real reset I do depending on what kind of day it is.
What To Pack For School Holidays With Kids
Here's the thing I've learned running HuddoCo and living the school holiday chaos myself. There's no single list of school holiday bag essentials that works every day.
Some days are adventure days, the zoo, the beach, a full day out that needs everything. Other days are a quick errand or an hour at the park. Trying to pack the same bag for both just means you're either overpacked or caught out.
So I reset my bag depending on which one it is.
Adventure Mode 🎒☀️
Big days out call for the Anywhere Backpack. This is my go-to when we're out from morning to afternoon and I genuinely don't know what the day will throw at us.
The Snack Stash 🍪
School holidays run on snacks. Not just "healthy lunchbox" snacks either, we're talking whatever buys you 10 minutes of peace.
- Muesli bars (the ones that don't melt)
- A squeezy yoghurt or two
- Crackers, because someone always says they're "starving" the second you leave the house
- A water bottle that's somehow always empty within five minutes
Our Lunch Buddy sits right in the front insulated pocket of the Anywhere Backpack, so nothing goes warm or squashed at the bottom of the bag.
The Entertainment Arsenal 🎨
Whether it's a rainy day or a two hour wait at the GP, you need a backup plan.
- A little colouring book and pencils
- One (charged) tablet, for absolute emergencies only
- A small toy that's currently "the favourite" (this rotates weekly, no explanation)
- Stickers. Always stickers.
The "Just In Case" Pile 🧦
This is the pile that takes up more room than it should, but somehow always gets used.
- A spare pair of undies (school holidays and public toilets are not a great combo)
- A jumper, because someone's always cold and someone's always hot
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Tissues, wipes, and yes, still wipes, even for the school-age kids 👀
The side access and customisable shelves are what actually make this work. Everything has its own spot, so even on the most chaotic adventure day, I know exactly where to reach.
Routine Days ☕
Not every school holiday day is a big one. Some are just a quick trip to the shops, or an hour at the local park. For those, I don't want to carry the full setup, I want to grab and go.
That's where the Nappy Buddy comes in. It's small enough to sling on in two seconds, but still has the quick access wipes dispenser and just enough room for the essentials.
If you've read our reviews, you'll know I'm not the only one who's realised wipes don't stop being useful once nappies do. The Nappy Buddy gets just as much use on routine days now as it did back in the nappy stage.
The Parent Sanity Kit ☕
The bit nobody talks about, but every parent packs anyway. This one lives in whichever bag I've grabbed that day.
- Your own snack (hidden, obviously)
- Headphones
- Your keys, wallet and phone, somewhere you can actually find them
A dedicated parent pocket earns its keep here. No more digging past nappy cream to find your phone mid-meltdown.
The Real Bag Reset
This is the bit I think most "what's in my bag" posts miss. It's not really about packing more, or even packing smarter. It's about resetting for the day you're actually having.
Adventure days get the Anywhere Backpack, structured, spacious, ready for anything. Routine days get the Mum Club Crossbody or the Nappy Buddy, light, quick, no fuss. Knowing which one I need before I walk out the door is honestly the biggest holiday hack I've got.
For The Holidays That Feel Like A Marathon, Not A Sprint
School holidays are chaotic, wonderful, exhausting and over far too quickly, all at the same time.
You don't need a perfectly packed bag to get through them. You just need the right one for the day. One less thing to dig for, one less decision each morning, that's the whole idea. 🤍
Ready to see what could make your school holiday bag a little lighter? Shop the range here.
