The prospect of a Center Parcs trip is always exciting: fresh forest air, endless cycling paths, cosy evenings in your lodge and plenty of activities to fill your days. A little preparation, though, goes a long way.
To help you avoid those “we should’ve brought…” moments, here’s a practical, family-friendly Center Parcs packing list.
Of course, if you forget anything there *are* shops on-site, but they’re generally on the more expensive side.
1. Kitchen & Food Essentials
Your lodge kitchen will be relatively well-equipped, but won’t include the small things that are often overlooked on a self-catering break. From experience, here’s what’s worth bringing:
Cleaning Supplies:
- Washing up liquid
- Washing up sponge
- Dishwasher tablets
- Tea towels
- Cleaning spray or anti-bacterial wipes
- Cling film or foil
- Bin bags
- Kitchen roll
Food & Drink Staples:
- Tea/coffee/hot chocolate
- Milk
- Soft drinks/squash
- Alcoholic drinks for relaxing evenings?
- Snacks for kids and adults
- Breakfast essentials – fruit, yoghurts, cereals, bread and spreads (there’s a toaster)
- Lunch and dinner ingredients (or batch cook in advance)
- Any condiments and spices you’ll want for cooking
2. Bathroom & Household Must-Haves
While the basics are provided, some will want a few extras!
- Toilet rolls (they provide some, but not always enough for longer breaks)
- Handwash/soap (we were only given one small bar – and had three bathrooms plus the kitchen where it was needed!)
- First aid kit (including Calpol and any other kids’ medicines needed)
- Torches or headlamps (essential for finding your lodge in the dark!)
- Water bottles for days out
- Bags for dirty/wet clothes (there are no laundry facilities in the lodges)
3. Swimming Gear
The Subtropical Swimming Paradise is a daily highlight of any Center Parcs break! You might want to consider packing…
- Swimming costumes/trunks
- Towels for swimming (you can hire, but bringing your own is easier and cheaper!)
- Goggles (chlorine levels were pretty high when we last went)
- Waterproof phone case for great photos and videos (especially on the flumes!)
- Small inflatables/buoyancy aids for kids (Center Parcs do have wearable swimming aids for kids in two sizes that you can borrow free of charge)
4. Kids’ Essentials
If you’re travelling with little ones, packing a few familiar items can make the stay smoother.
- Plates/bowls/cups/cutlery, if your child prefers their own
- Scooter or bike plus helmet
- Bucket and spade for the lakeside beach
- Comfort items for bedtime
- Plenty of snacks
- Entertainment for downtime: board games, colouring/activity books, tablets/handheld consoles (and chargers!)
5. Activities & Entertainment
From outdoor fun to chilled evenings indoors, these items can help fill the gaps between activities:
- Waterproofs and warm layers or sunscreen and sunhats (depending on the season!)
- Binoculars for wildlife spotting
- Bird food (we loved feeding the birds, squirrels and muntjac deer on our patio!)
- Board or card games
- Books and magazines
- DVDs (or your Netflix/Prime login details, as some lodges have smart TVs)
- Smokeless logs and matches for the fireplace in colder months (check your lodge type, not all have a fireplace)
What would YOU pack for a Center Parcs break? Have I missed any essentials? Let me know in the comments!