The summer is well and truly here and plenty of you will already have taken holidays and mini breaks or have them planned over the coming weeks. Packing for all the family can be a chore and as a busy working Mum I was always keen for my children take responsibility for their own things at a very young age. There have of course been packing disasters with all underwear omitted or a case full of tops, but I find it much easier to check and amend with my children so they learn how to pack for themselves than to do it all alone and be blamed for leaving behind a favourite shirt. After forgetting essentials too many times even Farmer Nick now packs his own things!
Part of encouraging independent packing comes from having something fun to put things in. The clever people at Prezzybox are selling kiddie suitcases in a fun monster or ladybird design.
They appealed to me straight away with some great features:
Extendible pull-along handle
Easily Changed from Pull along case to backpack
Rucksack straps retract when the pull along handle is extended
Wheels light up red, blue and green when moving
Splash proof and easily wipes clean
Multiple Storage Compartments
I’m not suggesting that a toddler is going to pack for themselves but with a case as inviting as this they will want to be involved. Choosing their favourite clothes to pack with you and special toys and teddies can make the holiday preparation more enjoyable and engaging and gives you a chance to explain what they might need and things you may do while you are away.
As teens and tweens my own independent packers have all had a good look inside our monster case and tested the funky wheels reminiscing over their own first travel cases and how they would pack them full of teddies and pants and not much else, I only wish they had been as practical and fun as these ones from Prezzybox.
To give our new Monster case a real test, I enlisted the help of some of our younger holiday makers staying here at Coombe Mill during one of our Activity Hour sessions. Here is what they said:
The children loved helping me pack and unpack the case and wheel it along, though moving forwards whilst turning back to watch the flashing wheels took some coordination! They instantly began role playing ‘going on holiday’ together.
The youngsters all agreed they would love to have a case like this for their next holiday. It proved so popular at Activity Hour as a little side line that I am going to keep ours with some toys and a blanket inside for our youngest children while the older ones are absorbed in the craft activities at the table.
WIN a Child’s Suitcase with Coombe Mill
The lovely folk at Prezzybox are offering Coombe Mill blog readers the chance to win either a Ladybird or Monster suitcase. They would make a wonderful holiday present or birthday present for for sleepovers, mini breaks or a family holiday. If you fancy winning one just follow the instructions below. Good luck to all taking part and if you are not successful you can always buy one from the Prezzybox website where they are currently reduced from £35 to £28.95
We were sent our Monster suitcase for the purpose of this review post. All opinions are my own and those of our young holiday makers who tried the case out with me.
“Tales from the farmers wife” shares life on our lovely holiday farm with Farmer Nick and our 6 children. Step into our beautiful 30 acres and experience nature close up with farming and educational crafts in stunning North Cornwall. Family, fun and adventure start here.