Unisexy changing bags

Whether you're a yummy mummy looking for something for the daddy in your family, or you want a more urbane changing tote, Storksak are likely to have just the bag for you. We especially adore the brown-leather Jamie bag in 'espresso' (£129). It comes with all the accoutrement compartments and a mat too, and is also the perfect size to include a laptop as well. Which means ma or pa will never be too far away from the chance to book a family-friendly escape through www.smithandkids.com

No more counting sheep

If less-than-effective drapes when you're away from home mean that your brood are bright eyed and bushy tailed when you would rather they were snoozing, then let the Baa Baa Black Out Blind (£27.50) come to the rescue. Simply attach it to the offending window to secure some extra shut-eye for all.

Supernanny

Swimwear? Check. Changing mats. Of course. Kiddies' luggage? Yup. Mary Poppins? Yes please! Let Holiday Nanny provide you with the perfect accompaniment on your travels – a qualified childcarer. A basic week's package through www.holidaynanny.org is priced £425; this includes 45 hours of daytime care and 16 hours of nighttime babysitting.

Throw the towel on

Bung on a Mitty James beach robe (£18.99) and you'll be getting SPF 50+ protection as well as getting dry and snug poolside. And no need to have kiddiwinks wardrobe envy – this wrap come in sizes that fit six month olds right up to adult. Also as comfy as it is practical is Green Baby's poncho (£18.99). This towelling beauty comes in one size which fits anklebiters up to three years old.

Hand-me-downs

When you're away from home, don't think you can't take a few creature comforts with you. Self-heating Mr Men mini hand-warmers will keep the paws of your progeny toasty for up to seven hours. Perfect for weekend-away rambles. Now it's up to you to get them outside. Priced £1.95 from Superdrug.

Ray bans

Fifty percent of sun damage occurs during childhood: young skin is particularly vulnerable to the sun’s rays, and children tend to spend more time outdoors than adults. It’s your job to protect them. When it comes to slapping on sunscreen we love water-resistant SPF 22 Green Baby Organic sun lotion (£13.50) and the handy  travel-size foursome of lotions for sensitive skins from Organic Babies (£12.99). Liz Earle also does a chemical-free Sun Shade range which is also fab for keeping Mr & Mrs Smith's skin lovely, too. SPF25 Face Protector (£25) is packed with an anti-oxidant arsenal of green tea and pomegranate, the cream works as a block to reflect harmful UVA and UVB rays while delivering a mega-dose of moisture.

Buggy beautiful

The ideal pram for the style-conscious family on the go is Lulu Guinness’ ‘Life’s a Bed of Roses’ stroller for Maclaren (£134). Not only is it gorgeous piece of equipment but it's fantastically portable at only 5.5kg. And if you're a sucker for having all the accessories, there is also a roomy changing bag (£120), pretty parasol and foot muff (£39.99) in the same monochrome floral design.

Roll on the holidays

Trunki cases turn even the longest trip into a short-haul journey. The world’s first ride-on suitcase is sufficiently small to pass as hand luggage, but large enough to fit in toys, clothes and snacks. Junior jetsetters climb on board (it’s strong enough for a couuple of toddlers) and are pulled along by their devoted parents. Available in pink or blue (from £24.99), Trunkis also work as a seat or toy – children can propel themselves around as though on a model car. If only they came in adult sizes…

All change

It’s a dirty job, but someone – occasionally even a man – has got to do it. But can you blame a chap if he leaves the girlie-looking changing bag at home? The no-excuses answer is another more rugged changing bag – the DadGear Messenger (£55). It looks like a classic courier bag, and is tough enough to be flung into the back of a car or an overhead locker. Inside is a changing mat, pockets for nappies, bottles and other essential kit, plus an external pocket for accessing wet wipes without even opening the bag. Who says you can’t change?

Sitting comfortably?

It’s washable, it’s squashable, and it keeps children exactly where they should be – in a chair instead of running around the restaurant. Totseat (£22) weighs next to nothing and folds up into a package smaller than a baby’s bottle. It’s also safety-conscious: Totseat works with the Child Accident Prevention Trust and the charity gets 20 pence for every Totseat sold in the UK. Babies who lunch never looked smarter.

First things first

Funkymoose is an eclectic collection of covetable children’s essentials, from unbreakable plates to chic playsuits. One of their cleverest offerings is the LittleLife Family First Aid kit (£22.99): it will withstand a pounding from even the most disgruntled baggage handler and contains everything you need to sort out bumps, bruises and bites. Doesn’t that feel better?

Beach babes

If you’ve ever tried to buy beachwear out of season, you’ll know why the Beach Factory is such a winner. This sun-kissed treasure trove delivers everything you need for sandy holidays year-round, from aqua shoes and stylish beach bags to UV swimwear that looks great and offers UPF50+ sun protection. We love the cotton Shark Crusher camo-print and Polka Dot sun hats – pictured – (£11.95 plus postage and packaging) from cult American brand Flap Happy. You can even leave your shopping to the last minute: orders for guaranteed next-day deliveries are taken until midday, your beach-babe goodies will be with you ASAP (for a £6.95 charge).

Speaker’s corner

The miraculously miniature travel-sized baby monitor by NScessity (from £49.95) is the smallest baby monitor on the market, and fits into a pouch the size of a sunglasses case. Pop it on a restaurant table and it won’t get in the way of important things like the wine bucket but, despite its diminutive size, it still provides a fiesty 200-metre range and two frequency channels. The mains adaptor doubles as the battery recharger, and is about the size of a mobile phone charger. NScessity Travel Monitor is available from John Lewis (0845 604 9049).

Quick as a flash

These Berlitz Flash Cards (available in French, Spanish and Chinese; £3.99 a pack) make easy work of helping your child to learn their first 50 words in a foreign language – something to drop into conversation with those scarily perfect mums who hunt in PTA packs, if you’re competitive like that. Each card features an adorable illustration from Berlitz’s Adventures with Nicholas language books, and together they’ll give you enough colour fun and animal action to get you through even a heavily delayed flight. You never know, you might even learn something. 

Carry on regardless

One to pack rather than use as hand luggage (which isn’t to say it won’t prove to be the most useful bit of kit in your holiday arsenal), Baxx (£24.95) is a shoulder bag and play mat in one. Fill it with toys and other kiddie necessities, pull the cord and sling it over your shoulder. When you get to the beach, in less than five seconds you’ll have a comfy play mat replete with all your baby’s favourite bits and pieces. You can even suspend it over a buggy to keep a sleeping babe or toddler in the shade.