As Easter holidays approach and the much anticipated Royal Wedding, followed with the generous flow of Bank Holidays we look forward to each year, our plans to entertain the children at home or out and about are already in our minds if not also on paper awaiting agreement from older siblings and the other half!

With two girls aged 4 and 6 and a boy, aged 32! (well actually thats my other half) I still continue to find packing for a day out somewhat stressful no matter how organised I try to be I spend half my time worrying about what if’s and once finally all packed in to the car I begin to worry about all the things I haven’t packed or may have forgotten…I’m sure I’m not alone here although I continue to hope I will one day grow out of this routine!

So here we have a few select items I think will help to make days out go smoothly, more organised and less stressful from the word go, whether its a day trip to a local attraction, a 3 hour trip to a gorgeous coastline or a 10 hour flight to somewhere hot and sunny (yes please, the latter for me!)

A bag with a purpose is surely a good start, if your a mum who’s always in charge of the bag go for something bright and interesting, plain black bags should be officially banned this time of the year, a MightyBe or a BeHip by Ju Ju Be is perfect for any trip with a selection of gorgeous prints available you’ll be sure to find one that suits your own style, plus each has enough organisation to ensure everything you pack will have its place, easily accessed as you need it.  For a bag that Dad will also be happy to carry check out the functional and stylish range of bags from Skip Hop, the Dash and Duo are perfectly proportioned, organised and have the all important insulated pockets to keep drinks cool!  Labelled as baby changing bags they may be, but their purpose as an everyday bag is just as highly rated and brings with it the interest and style a bag should have.

For the independent youngsters in the family take a look at the gorgeous Zoo Packs and Zoo Lunchies by Skip Hop, the most adorable range of backpacks and lunch bags for kids made to look like some of our favourite animals, suitable from 2yrs+ and at 6 my eldest still loves her’s.  Choose from a Dog, Mouse, Owl, Bee, Monkey or Zebra.  For toddlers with big independence choose the cute Bush Baby Mini Pack a mini back pack and reins in one.  With the usual backpack straps and an added across body snap strap to the front to keep the back pack in place whilst the removable adult rein allows your toddler freedom yet gives you the choice to maintain control as you need to.

Without going on too much more as I know we’re all busy here, below is a list of some other essentials for consideration…

1) Skip Hop Swipe – a portable wipes case, take it anywhere and everywhere, a great accessory to keep baby wipes in easy reach at home, in the car or out and about with an easy one handed action you can swipe a wipe from this container effortlessly – much nicer than the horrid crumpled pack of wipes previously lingering around my own home, car and handbag…

2) Safe Sippy – A stainless steel drinks cup suitable from 6 mths, a great buy that will last.  A cup made free from BPA and Phthalates following concerns about the harmful effects and growing evidence of  toxic chemicals found in plastic and metal bottles.  With removable handles and the option to convert in to a straw bottle this cup grows with your child and is perfect for lunch bags.  Throw out the cheap and nasty freebie often found in the standard lunch bags and replace it ASAP, I always take my own drinks cups when we go away and the Safe Sippy is the best I have come across yet.

3) Bento Mealtime Kit – A colourful and interesting portable mealtime kit, complete with 6 bright interlocking containers and lids and an insulated zip bag.  Use at home or out and about, take as many pots as you need filled with snacks or use at home to create a mealtime tray or store leftovers.

4) A portable changing station – for the younger ones of course, a compact changing station is always a plus, especially on a plane where you can barely fit one person in a cubicle let alone try to change a babies nappy! One thing you’ll find however is the selection of portable changing mats will be used everywhere, at home, a friends, out for coffee, or on holiday, simply for the fact that they keep everything you need for a nappy change in one conveniently sized unit, we have plenty to choose from all of which are great and come highly reccommended by mums themselves, including me! Take a look for yourself at the Skip Hop Pronto, Pink Lining Mum on the Run and the OiOi Travel Changing Mat

May my suggestions help at least one person leave the house for a short trip, day out or luxury holiday this year with more organisation and less stress than before, to simply enjoy the time spent with friends and families and of course relax at least a little!