There's really no need to load yourself up with the following:Inflatable beach toys, buckets and spades – buy them when you get thereToo many nappies – dittoBananas – will go black and squishy on the planeToys with small parts – they’ll get lost

Gaining mastery over a hand-held console control can be tricky for young children (and for some adults too). The beauty of the XBox 360 Kinect is that all you need is your hand or voice to activate the sensor and you’re away. Lurking inside the neat, sleek black Kinect unit is so...

from Buckingham Palace, is likely to put a smile on their face, for a child, to be greeted by a bowler-hatted doorman and then to unearth a personalised welcome pack containing their favourite snacks and a toy box filled with games, books and DVDs

security – if you have a baby bottle, you’ll be asked to take a sip) and a selection of your child’s favourite toys and games as diversions and to alleviate boredom. Airlines may have a supply of nappies, formula milk and baby food on board, but it’s best

for a family holiday? 1. Things to help kids settle in (a familiar toy or blanket).2. First Aid kit, including Calpol.3. A sense of humour. The perfect family holiday song? A Spoonful of Sugar from Mary Poppins. Perfect holiday reading matter for parents

. If you try and have the same holiday you had pre-kids it simply won’t work.What three things you should always pack for a family holiday? Sun cream and sunglasses (whether beach or mountains) and a few favourite books and toys.The perfect family holiday

festival fashion and Hunter wellies are still de rigueur, as well as the must-have Peltor Kid ear defenders – a la the Apple of Gwynnie’s eye – for your toddler. Make a weekend of it and, if you feel like getting down and dirty, you can pitch

to have spacious enough accommodation to be able to relax, with a ‘parent area’ and a ‘kids area’ being the ideal. Other children or teenagers to play with and plenty of fun activities in a safe environment make for happy kids and when the children

for the journey.2. A small selection of toys and games – we love Rummikub.3. Formula milk for babies – the local variety doesn't taste the same.The perfect family holiday song? For my family, it has to be one of the songs from Mamma Mia. Music can evoke

afternoon tea. He admires Joe’s fleet of toy cars and insists Grace and Joe try some “glaces” (ice-cream) and patisseries. The Frenchman does not let his native stereotype down and is charm personified: despite living 35 years in the UK, his accent is still