Make sure your beach bag is beach ready!

Sun cream is one of the most important items to keep with you when holidaying in a hot country. Although children’s skin is a lot more sensitive than adults, it is important for everyone to wear it in order to prevent skin damage. As the sun's rays are at their strongest between the times of 11am and 3pm, make sure that your family is sufficiently protected, the higher the SPF the more protection is provided. Many places of the body we forget to cover include our necks, ears and lips. Our lips can be protected by using a lip balm with SPF in.

If you can’t seem to get your children out of the sea or pool, it is best to choose a waterproof cream in order to protect them in, as well as out, of the water.

Spare clothes are always a must when you have small children. Whether they get ice cream dripped down their front, dropped in the sea, or covered in sand, an extra set of clothing always comes in handy. Taking extra clothing will also help if the sun decides to go in or for when the temperatures start to cool down towards the evening.

Mosquito bites can be itchy, sore, and generally a not very nice experience, especially for small children. In order to keep you and your family safe from mosquitos on holiday, it is always handy to keep mosquito repellent in your beach bag. Repellent wipes, sprays, and wristbands are handy to have on you when you have small children as they are quick and easy to use.

Be sure to drink plenty of water when flying. It is advised to purchase a large bottle of water once through security, to sip throughout the duration of your flight. This will ultimately keep you hydrated throughout the flight and prevent spot breakouts and skin dryness.

Hats are easy to scrunch up and fit in your beach bag. When children are playing in the sun, hats are a simple and easy way to provide some shade and protect their sensitive faces, necks and ears from the sun.

Carrying around beach and pool toys in your bag means that your kids can never get bored. Buckets and spades are great for the beach to make sand castles. Beach balls, sinking hoops and inflatables are great pool toys that will keep the kids entertained for hours, meaning you can catch up with your book!

If you have young or inexperienced children when it comes to swimming, then flotation devices are very important when it comes to their safety. Even if you don’t intend for them to go in the water, it may be a good idea for them to wear flotation devices when they around the water in order to prevent any accidents.

Don’t forget, you can get your travel insurance from DirectTravel at either www.direct-travel.co.uk or ring our friendly team on 0330 880 3600.