Travel Gear

^{Last updated: 14 May 2024}

Santorini or Sifnos, that sunkissed Greek island dream follows the same fetching formula of cerulean seas and countryside adventures. Full of charm, yet riddled with potholes, you’ll want to avoid tripping over cobblestone streets, slipping over ubiquitous marble floors, and the chilly bite of meltemi winds (northern summer winds affecting the Cycladic islands). From anatomic flip flops to the perfect type of swimwear, there’s a smart way to pack for the sea and sun. Here’s how: 

_{Last updated: 5 June 2024}

Greece is exceptionally child-friendly. Yet, it still surprises with its idiosyncratic ways. While many Airbnbs are run professionally and provide pristine travel cots complete with bedding (never in the packing list), don’t expect a high chair at every tavern you visit.

So what do you need to plan for as you ready your travel arsenal? Teetering between too little and too much (less, is generally best. Yet keeping in mind that you want to relax, not rough it out), we list the gear and other baby bits that will save you from many a headache on a holiday in Greece.

We’ve also included Greek brands we love for diapers, toiletries, and other daily essentials so you can pack light, support local, and travel confidently.

Kids are great at busying themselves on the beach. But when you spend almost everyday for three months in summer on the Greek islands (as we do), it helps to have implements that inspire discovery.

So, what else can you pack aside from a bucket and spade? We’ve put together our essential list of ultra-portable fun for any beach vacation. Pro-tip: Decathlon has a presence in Greece, so you can get (almost) half of this list sent to your vacation rental in advance. Postage takes a bit (from 6 to 17 days), so place your order well ahead.

1. Snorkel – Mediterranean seas don’t teem with colourful marine life like in the tropics, but you’ll still spot fishes swimming around your feet through its exceptionally clear waters. Head to rocky bits of shore where they tend to gather.
2. Frisbee (Ages 3+) – flying rings are easier than discs for little hands to catch. These Activ Life rings are super light, have great lift, and are easy to use. Some are also made out of soft polymer so you’re less nervous about hitting your toddler in the face on a throw.
3. Kite (Ages 3+) – thrilling and fulfilling, watch the kids light up as they get kites to dance in the summer breeze. Then advance onto next level parenting and talk about the physics at play.
4. Inflatable ball – for beach volleyball, soccer, catch, a ball balance on ice cream cone race…
5. Skip ball (Ages 3+) – throwing stones into the water was wildly entertaining for our 18-month old. Heighten the fun with a golf ball sized skipping “stone” for an added challenge as they grow.
6. Discovery net – big D wanted to catch fish with her bucket last summer. Unsuccessful, we at least managed to scoop up some languorous jellyfish floating close to the water surface. This summer, we’ll have nets.
7. Bubbles – whatever your age,  is there anything more uplifting than a flurry of bubbles floating into the cloudless blue sky and over the shimmering sea? Fubbles no spill tumbler is design genius for independent play.
8. Bucket and spade – Scrunch’s roll-able silicone buckets are super for travel.
9. Mini construction site vehicles – the beach is one giant sensory play dream. Build away!
10. Hard-backed sketch pad with pastels or a watercolour palette for nature drawings. Pen down a scavenger hunt list for extra fun.
11. Posca pens for rock art – just searching and collecting the perfect pebbles for art activities was hours of fun for D. Paint rock animals and more with posca pens that draw perfectly on rocks. Water-based (and non-toxic) paints in a pen for easier control, they even have a glitter range.  
12. Beach tennis (Ages 7+) – a summer staple on Greek beaches, innovative designs have made it easier for younger kids to join the fun.

Finally, Yuval Zommer’s The Big Book of the Blue is the perfect accompaniment to a day of sea adventures after you return home for story time.

What wouldn’t we give for 20 minutes of independent play on the plane? Or time to unpack and settle into your Airbnb on arrival? And a chance to chew on your grilled octopus before running after your Greek taverna-escaping child?

The perfect travel toy – get it right and transform how you holiday. Tiny, light and mighty, we suggest some multitasking and mess free travel companions that promise to banish boredom, and perhaps even foster a little creativity. Don’t forget the snacks – lots, and of all kinds.

1. If I had to pick just one toy to bring, it would be a set of Iwako puzzle erasers. The Japanese brand makes eraser figurines that double up as 3D puzzles you can take apart and reassemble. They’ve also got something for every interest from fast food and safari animals to rainbow poop. I’m obsessed.
2. Ooly stacking crayons – apart from being something to scribble with, connecting them is a whole other activity. Put this in a zip-up busy bag with other fun stuff e.g. Retractable lipstick eraser and colour changing pen.
3. Crayola mini pip magnetic tiles – easier than Duplo and more compact than Magna-Tiles.
4. Mess-free colouring – Melissa and Doug’s Water Wow and Colour Blast ranges are parent staples, along with a lightweight doodle board. Crayola also has a magical line of mess-free markers.
5. Duplo farm or first car creations set.
6. Reusable sticker sets – Melissa and Doug’s puffy stickers are easy for little fingers to work with.
7. Books – mini board books (finger puppet books are twice the fun! or just bring finger puppets …), Indestructibles, and for road trips, song books. This Baby Shark one saved us from many a screaming fit, although it also nearly threw my husband into one of his own.
8. 2 and 3-piece puzzles.

1. Pocket Etch a Sketch – a cult drawing tool from the 60s, D draws maps to where we are going on these.
2. Mini camera – we initially got the popular VTech kidizoom, but found it to be bulky and heavy for no reason. They also need a lot of batteries. These cheaper options from Amazon are small, adorable, and charges with a USB wire.
3. Drawing tools are travel essentials. For kids good at sticking to paper, Ooly elevates the experience with a covetable range of colour changing and gel pens. Watercolour palettes are also easy to travel with and great for older kids.
4. More puzzles – Goki has a beautiful range of nature-themed mini wood 24-piece puzzles. Mudpuppy’s also has a range of puzzles-to-go and other travel toys.
5. Lego polybags – small-build projects full of fun with a bit of adult help.
6. Books, including activity books – Yuval Zommer’s sticker books are a favourite. Usborne also has plenty, along with the cutest series of minis. The Under the Sea transfer activity book was a huge hit with D. We’ve also found that a small stack of origami paper goes a long way busying our 2 and 4-year old with endless folding fun. And for older kids, Paint by Sticker Kids is an ingenious product that helps them practice counting beyond 10.
7. Ooly Play Again! mini on-the-go activity kits – includes board games and reusable stickers for the scene board.
8. Temporary tattoos – a plane trip is a good time for beautifying, and Djeco’s gold foil jewellery tattoos are so pretty I don’t mind if D puts them all over me. Include in a zip bag with nail stickers and a tube of polish.
9. Favourite figurines – Paw Patrol, Sesame Street, My Little Pony … whatever is the current obsession.
10. Mini torch and projector – perfect for cramped interior spaces

Last updated 2 Feb 2024

What do you need for sweat-free family beach trips in Greece? From ingenious water bottles to foldable umbrellas, we’ve rounded up the must-haves to make your outings with kids a lightweight breeze. And from the experts in summer holidays, we’ve also included Greek brands (Sun of a Beach, Terra Nation and Aelia Anna) we love. Remember, going to an “organised” beach (as they say in Greece, offering sunbeds, shade, and possibly refreshment), will greatly lighten your load (but limit your adventures). So research those options if you prefer not to drag an entire haul of paraphernalia.

Spending more than a week on the beach? We’ve also put together an adventure kit to make the most of an unforgettable Greek summer.