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HOLIDAY HACKS

Use talc to remove sand and hide valuables in a nappy: Parenting tips that could save your family holiday

Parents have shared tips for treating sunburn, keeping an eye on kids and preventing spillages

Parents have been sharing their best creative hacks for preventing problems on holiday

Everyone looks forward to the family summer holiday, but there are few common pitfalls that have the power to turn a vacation into a nightmare for stressed parents.

Help is at hand from parents across the globe though, who have been sharing their best creative hacks for preventing problems on holiday.

 Parents have been sharing their best creative hacks for preventing problems on holiday
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Parents have been sharing their best creative hacks for preventing problems on holidayCredit: Alamy

Whether its pesky sand in the car after a beach visit or an empty bottle of aftersun and an angry sunburn, these mums and dads have the solution to everything.

Read on to find out some of the best tips that could transform your summer break this year…

Cover up plugs with plasters

If you need to cover up the electrical outlets in your hotel room or villa, but don’t have any plastic covers, place cheap plasters over them instead.

 

Hide your valuables in a nappy

There has to be some perks to cleaning another human’s bottom.

According to savvy users, you should: “Wrap all valuables such as wallets, and phones in a clean nappy.

“Any potential thieves wouldn't think to look inside what they think is a dirty nappy.

 

 Wrap all valuables in a clean nappy to deter thieves
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Wrap all valuables in a clean nappy to deter thievesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Divide clothes into different bags

Separate your kids’ daily outfits into different bags, then mark those bags as dirty after they’re used to cut down on time spent getting ready every morning.

 

Divide everyone’s clothes into different suitcases

Make sure that no one family member is left without their holiday wardrobe by splitting everyone’s clothes between your suitcases.

That way if one bag goes missing, everyone still has stuff to wear.

 Talcum powder is great for removing sand from feet after the beach
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Talcum powder is great for removing sand from feet after the beachCredit: Alamy

Use talcum powder to get rid of sand on feet

A Mumsnet user revealed: "Chuck a load on your feet to help brush off the sand that's stuck to them.

“Works like a charm."

 

Use milk as emergency aftersun

If someone has sunburn and there’s no chance of getting any aftersun, soak a flannel in some milk and apply it to the affected skin for five minutes to get some relief.

 

Label your child

Create bracelets for your children with your contact details in case they get lost.

 Tie a balloon to your child’s wrist so you can spot them more easily in busy places like the beach
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Tie a balloon to your child’s wrist so you can spot them more easily in busy places like the beachCredit: Getty Images

Use a balloon to spot your child easily

On a busy beach, it can be hard to keep track of your child.

Tie a balloon to their wrist so that they can be spotted quickly.

 

Stop little ones rolling out of bed with pool noodles

If your child isn't used to sleeping in a bed without a rail, borrow a couple of pool noodles from the hotel.

By lying them lengthwise under the sheet, a makeshift barrier is created.

 

Prevent spillages with some Clingfilm

If a café or restaurant doesn’t have children’s cups, grab some spare Clingfilm.

Place the film over the cup and pop a hole in it with a straw to prevent any spillages.

 

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