Tropical Island Checklist

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Tropical Island Checklist

You and your family heading somewhere hot and sunny? Besides your flip-flops and swim fins, consider stashing these items that packing expert Anne McAlpin recommends for any family about to soar to the shore.

By Lexi Walters

For Kids

For the beach:

__ Inflatable beach balls, tubes, and water wings

__ Disposable swim diapers

__ Waterproof sunscreen/insect repellent combo

__ Waterproof face/lip sunblock

__ Hat or cap

__ Refillable water bottle: Look for wide-mouthed ones to accommodate ice.

Not wild about packing tons of sand toys? Hit up your hotel restaurant for castle-creating tools. Disposable cups, bowls, and silverware are great for sculpting sand.

For the plane:

__ Favorite books and backpack-sized toys: Leave the talking ones at home!

__ Search-a-word or crossword puzzle books

__ Mad Libs

__ Vinyl stickers (such as Colorforms) for airplane windows

__ Non-sticky snacks: Consider tossing together a pretzel, dried fruit, and Cheerio snack mix before your trip, and storing it in single-serving bags.

Remember to pack headphones for any handheld games or portable CD or DVD players your children might bring.

For Parents

__ Mesh laundry bag: Keeps beach necessities in and lets sand sift out.

__ First-aid kit: Include tweezers, hydrocortisone cream, and rubbing alcohol, in case of jellyfish stings.

__ Waterproof/underwater disposable camera

__ Packable straw hat: Look for ones you can literally roll up pack in your bag.

__ Soft-sided cooler: It's easy to pack and perfect for keeping bottles, boxed drinks, and snacks cold.

__ Biodegradable travel soap: Use to rinse salt water from expensive swim suits -- also works as body wash and shampoo.

__ Pareo or sarong: Use as a bathing suit cover-up, towel, or shawl in air-conditioned restaurants.

World traveler Anne McAlpin is the author of the popular book and video series, Pack It Up. Visit her Web site www.packitup.com for more travel tips.

packitup.com >>