Packing For Your Kids for Caribbean Vacations

When it comes to packing, there’s no doubt that less is more. This axiom is especially true for a Caribbean vacation, where the order of the day is casual and cool. Most guests are comfortable in shorts and T-shirts in the day, switching to something “elegantly casual” in the evening hours: smart shorts sets or simple sundresses for women, khakis and polos for men, and “school clothes” for kids.

For a four-night trip, we suggest the following for your kids:

•3 pair shorts
•1 pair jeans or casual pants if you’ll be horseback riding
•3 T-shirts
•1 old T-shirt to wear while swimming
•2 dinner outfits, similar to school clothes
•2 swimsuits (one to wear and one to dry)
•1 pair beach shoes
•1 pair sandals
•1 pair sneakers
•1 pair swim shoes
• beach toys
• swim diaper (for infants)
• water safety devices

We also carry all the necessary accessories (which, on some islands, can be expensive or difficult to buy):

•film and camera, extra camera battery
•sunscreen (usually two bottles of different strengths)
•snorkel gear (and certified divers must bring a “C” card)
•aqua shoes
•insect repellent
•all prescriptions (in prescription bottles)
•2 pairs of sunglasses each
•paperback book or two
•antiseptic for bug bites
•aloe vera lotion for sunburn
•first aid kit with aspirin, stomach medicine, bandages, children’s aspirin, etc.
•passports
•airline tickets
•mini-address book for postcard writing