Right, so here goes, our full unexpurgated packing list. If you’re not a fan of lists, look away now…
Clothes
Each person will have:
- lightweight fleece
- pack-a-mac
- sun hat
- thermal leggings and long sleeved thermal top
- three short sleeved cotton tops
- one long sleeved cotton top
- one pair of longish trousers (or in Eve’s case, a dress)
- two pairs of shorts/skirts
- swimming costume
- four pairs of pants
- two pairs of socks
- one pair of sandals (to be worn with the socks, obviously)
- on pair of walking shoes/trainers with grippy soles
- pyjama bottoms that could double as a pair of trousers in an emergency
- tshirt to use as pyjama top
- Dickon will have five tops, bottoms and pants. That child can make more mess than anyone I know.
- The children will each have a second pair of swimming shorts and a long sleeved rash vest.
- I will also have two bras, incase you were interested
Electronics
- Samsung N140 netbook and charger
- Nikon DSLR camera, USB cable, battery charger and spare battery
- Sony ereader and cable
- iPhone
- 3 x iPods and headphones
- two apple chargers & two extra USB cables
- cheap SIM only four band phone and charger
- external hard drive
- flip movie camera
- extension cable to charge four appliances at once
- international adaptor
First Aid Kit
- paracetamol for adults and children
- piriton for adults and children
- travel sick pills
- asthma stuff for me and Ned, including copy of prescription
- immodium
- rehydration salts
- temporary filling kit
- glasses repair kit and Steve’s prescription
- assorted plasters, including steri-strips, blister plasters and that gel stuff that turns into a covering when it dries
- microporous tape and a few dressings
- tweezers
- dry antiseptic spray
- Bandage
- Tiger Balm
- tea tree oil
- mosquito bite zapper
Wash bag
- five toothbrushes
- tube of toothpaste
- bottle of shampoo to be used for hair, bodies and clothes
- deodorant
- disposable razors
- shaving oil
- lavender oil
- hairbrush
- hair elastics
- sun cream
- ear plugs
Poo bag (patent pending)
Our youngest child has an unerring ability to need a poo as soon as you are nowhere near a loo. We therefore always carry a small bag with the following:
- nappy sacks
- tissues
- baby wipes
- antibacterial hand gel
Speaking of which, we are also taking pull ups for night time. I’ve admitted defeat.
Children’s toys and school materials
- teddies and blankies
- snorkels and masks
- Uno
- pack of cards
- plasticine
- a handful (literally) of tiny cars, dinosaurs and animals
- felt tips, pencils, rubber, sharpener, glue, sellotape
- exercise book each
- stickers
- tiny paint palatte and paint brush
- inflatable ball
- a few miniature versions of our favourite books
- a Lett’s Guide for each child in literacy and maths
- two handwriting books provided by school
- national curriculum print outs provided by school
Catering
- two tupperware boxes (yes we are that rock and roll) for the many picnics we will be having, also useful for storing cables
- three sporks
- three camping bowl with lid type things, so the children can have breakfast in hotel rooms
- two 750ml water bottles and one 500ml one
Other stuff
- five silk sleeping bag liners
- four travel towels
- three head torches
- travel washing line
- sarong
- sewing kit
- Point It, visual dictionary
- Swiss Army knife
- miniature Sharpie for labelling parcels and naming stuff
- small roll of duct tape for emergency repairs
- travel clock
- two laundry bags
- one waterproof swimming bag
- three booster seats (for the first few months we’ll be hiring a lot of cars)
- reusable shopping bag
- Lonely Planet guides for first two destinations
Paperwork and money
- passports
- tickets
- print out of intinerary
- vaccination records
- international driving licence
- UK driving licence
- spare passport photos for border visas
- vast numbers of credit and debit cards in the hope that at any one time, something will work
- temporary tattoos for the children with my mobile phone number (very useful present from Paula)
Luggage
- 65l zip open backpack
- 45l top opening backpack
- 3 x children’s backpacks
- messenger bag which folds flat, to use most days
- small shoulder bag
- two money belts to keep valuables safely out of sight
- packable duffle bag for booster seats during early part of trip and extra space or an overnight bag
Amazingly, everything on the list fits into the luggage except for my camera and our bigger shoes. And if you’re still reading, you deserve a prize. You can choose between sachets of gelatin or some previously used, but not dried out, Play Doh. Leave your address in the comments. Don’t say I’m not good to you.
It's a small world after all 
I’m so excited for you Victoria. x
Thank you!
OMG you have no Aloe Vera gel??? Send me your addy & I will post you some!!! I’d ditch everything for aloe it is a life saver. And I’d never go anywhere without medicinal charcoal or a good probiotic. Safe travel x
That’s very kind of you. I do actually own aloe vera gel, maybe I’ll have to add it…
Wow, well done you for getting it all in. Mini is noise with muck on, just like D!
Noise with muck on is a great expression!
*applauds* Magnificent, I do love a good list and that is a VERY good list! Yes, I read it all…I shall be mentally checking it off with you now. xxx
It is a rather splendid list 🙂
I read it all… rather enjoyed it in a list-obsessive kind of way! Very impressive. I’d add tea tree oil to the lavender… but I also wouldn’t have thought of half of this lot. I’m excited for you all!
Tea tree oil’s in the first aid kit…
Oooof what a fabulous list!!! You must be getting sooooooooooo excited now!!!! Xxxx
I really am!
Your list frightens me, no idea why??
Will the kids be carrying their own stuff, or do you plan to carry it all?
I’ve been reading your blog for ages, I can’t believe it’s all about to happen!
The kids will be carrying some of it, and we’ll be carrying the rest. The older two will carry their clothes and the youngest things like snorkels that’s don’t weigh much.
Do you have the sporks already? I have unused sporks you can have! *waves sporks excitedly* I’m obsessing about sporks because I’m very nervous now. Do you want me to source a small donkey for you – hand luggage sized, obviously? xxx
We have sporks coming out of our ears. We use sporks as everday cutlery. They’re such pretty colours. But I’ll still give you the play doh, the colours are a bit mixed up…
Wonderful list. I have a half finished post about what we’ve never used in 10mths of travel… when I eventually get around to posting it would you mind if I link to you guys to say here’s a great list of what to bring?
You might find two paris of socks for the kids is not enough. Socks get lost really easily, or wet from stepping on wet shower floors or forgotten at washing time as they’re in a pair of shoes or soaked in a ‘can’t make it to the bathroom in time’ accident… worth having an extra pair for each kid!
Can’t remember what countries your travelling in but in some areas of Thailand/Indonesia/Malaysia I’ve found it useful to have one pair of shorts and tshirt I can swim in. Most locals swim pretty covered… if there are no other tourists around I feel wrong in a swimsuit!
Worth picking up a sarong in Asia – makes a great emergency dress, towel, wet cloth in case of fever, blanket, picnic rug, curtain, cubby house…
Of course, sarong! I do actually have a sarong which I am planning to take. Along with everything else.
I need to see a picture of you attempting to carry all that!!
Don’t worry, you will!
I thought I’d commented on this, but obviously I was so shocked my your packing list that I thought I had and didn’t.
I want to swearing loudly in a fooooookinell fashion.
Will you do a list of what you actually come back with please. I like to compare.
Anyway, that is all.
Guys, you forgot the kitchen sink!