13 yr old 1st time abroad what to take

born2bamug

Our 13yr old GS who lives with us will be going on his first holiday abroad (apart from school trip to France), wth his mother and her BF, neither of them have been abroad. They are going to Gran Canaria in Augsust for a week. I would appreciate any info on what to pack for him whilst he is away, should I include clothes for wet weather. I have no idea has me or his grandad have never been abroad, and what should he take in his hand luggage. He wants to take his I-Pod, is this advisable. Many thanks

born2bamug

Forgot to add he has been told he has to take his own spending money, how much do you think he will need? Will he get much for his pound in euros?

Voyager2002

Could he afford to replace his iPod if he were to lose it? If not, check whether it would be covered by insurance (I suspect not). See if you can pick up a cheap MP3 player or even cassette recorder for him to take instead.

Jo84_2

I have been to Gran Canaria 3 times, twice in summer and once for xmas. On all 3 occasions I have never had a day of rain. (lucky me maybe) so I wouldn't worry too much about wet weather but I would pack a pair of trousers just in case.

At 13 I wouldn't think he would need any hand luggage, unless he is taking books or magazines for on the plane.

Starbrite

Passport! hahaha had to be said amount of times this is over looked

Sun Cream - high water proof child factor frendliy one
Aftersun
Hat
Shorts
Pants
A few socks (be bare foot most of time in the pool)
T-shirts
Trousers
Hoodie/Jumper if chilly (I always take one when traveling has saved me a few times)
Trainers
Clothes for evening meals (Normally I'd say going out clothes)
Flip Flops
Sunnies
Swimwear take two or more he will be in pool everyday wearing one while other drys....
Beach towel
A man Bag type thing he can wear safely if he is going off to see things then his money is safe on him.
Books or other entertainment, for flight by pool when bored etc

Then there's toothbrush, Paste, Shampoo etc etc

I'm sure there are other things people my add...

elsien

Travel adaptor if he's taking anything electrical or a mobile that might need recharging. I always stick a cheap pacamac type thing in in case it rains - doesn't take up much room.
Insect repellent possibly (not sure what gran canaria is like for mozzies?)
If he does take handluggage, check with the airline what is and isn't allowed, to be on the safe side.
Money - depends where they're staying. Is it all inclusive or will he be needing to buy drinks etc?

greenface

Money is a difficult one as we dont know what he has to pay for . (meals out,drinks, activities like boat trips or just crisps and chips etc.) I wont rain but if you throw a water proof one in it wont get worn anyway. All what starbrite says . Mainly swim shorts /shorts and t-shirts. A lightweight jumper/jacket for when your burnt and the sun goes down . Gran Canaria is beautiful went last year to Playa del Cura (by puerto rico) great hol

born2bamug

Thank you for your replies.

They will be going self catering. We hoping that they will be buying his main food for meals, after all he his her son and it was her who asked if she could take him on holiday. We do find it abit much really that she is insisting he takes his own spending money, she never gives him any when we take him away on holiday or if he is going on any school trips.

greenface

Go on give her a slap we all know you want to !!!!

Standingtall

Let him take his iPod if it has games on it otherwise he could get bored. He may lose it yes, but fingers crossed he won't. If the 'oldies' sunbathe and he is not a great mixer then electronic games consoles will be his main entertainment. Trust me on this, I took my son abroad every year from the age of 2 to 18.

P20 is a great sun lotion if you teach how to use it as he would only need to apply once a day. He would need one large and one small bottle for a week. alternatively Piz Buin once daily in factor 30.

Other than that most things seem well covered above.

N.B. rain, cold are both definate no nos in August. About 1% chance I would say and if it rains it would be very brief and everyone would be holed up in the hotel bar.