Holiday ready? Here is your summer essentials guide for 2022/2023

Nuna Baby Australia TRVL, $699

Weighing just 6.6kg, this lightweight and compact stroller is ideal for zipping around town, for day trips and further afield travels. Nuna’s TRVL stroller pops open at the touch of a button and folds compactly to stand on its  own, which is important for busy parents.

As with all Nuna products, you can expect luxe materials – choose from Caviar and Refined – a sturdy frame, and innovative features. You can also connect a Nuna KLIK™ plus infant car seat to the arm bar with one click.

Nuna Baby Australia COVE aire, $399

Every parent needs a decent travel cot for weekends away and family trips – especially over the long summer months. Nuna’s COVE aire portacot is your summer essential that provides 360°  ventilation with its mesh sides, floor and mattress.

As well as being easy to set up and pack away – with just one hand – you can use the basinet level when your baby is small, and lower it when they start to roll over, so you know they are safe. The Frost style is available from Baby Bunting and comes with a travel bag and GOTS-certified organic sheet so you have everything you need for your travels.

SOOV Bite Gel, $9.69

Don’t let little critters make your family miserable! Keep SOOV Bite Gel in your beach bag, car first aid kit and at home for fast- acting, temporary relief from pain and itching due to insect bites. Soothing lignocaine hydrochlorid anaesthetises the skin and stops the urge to scratch, which littles ones find especially hard. It also contains an antiseptic to help prevent infection.

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, worsen or change unexpectedly, talk to your health professional. 

Happy Hair Brush Original Paddle Brush, $49.95

This curved paddle brush gives your head a little massage as its dual bristles detangle and brush hair at the same time. It’s the perfect brush to keep in your beach bag (as well as your bathroom), as it slides through beach-tangled hair in a breeze. No more squeals as you tidy up swimming pool hair either!

The spacing of the bristle rows of the Happy Hair Brush – which is available in 16 different colours –  means that hair flows naturally and easily as you brush.

Kollektive AeroMoov Instant Travel Cot, $399

Looking for a travel cot that can double as a safe space to play? Kollektive AeroMoov Instant Travel Cot is great for summer travel (all travel!) with its simple pop-up, all-in-one design making it a cinch to set up. It weighs just 5kgs so won’t add too much to your load, and its breathable mesh sides mean your bub can safely sleep in the warm months with plenty of air flow around them. The AeroMoov has two sleep levels so can be used from newborn, plus the travel cot can double as somewhere safe for your little one to play, under your watchful eye.

Sinchies Reusable Food Pouches, $10+ (5-pack+)

Take your healthy baby foods, yoghurts and smoothies out and about during your summer break with Sinchies Reusable Food Pouches, which come in a wide range of patterns.

A ziplock bottom means they are easy to fill and clean and there is a twist on baby spoon option for little ones. BPA, PVA and pthalate free, these pouches can also be frozen, which means they’re great to pop in your picnic basket or esky.

We Are Feel Good Inc Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50+,
$32.95

Protecting your family’s skin is important all year round, but even more so in hotter climates and the hot summer months. We Are Feel Good Inc Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50+ is proudly Australian owned and made, and is dermatologically tested and clinically proven for sensitive skin.

It’s suitable for your whole family, including babies over six months, as it is gentle and fragrance free as well as being non-greasy. This sunscreen contains no fragrance, PABAs, parabens, oxybenzone or octinoxate.

Kids Alive

Water safety is important 365 days a year, but during the summer, it’s essential that you know how to keep kids safe around water.

Most accidents take place within the first 10 minutes of arriving somewhere knew as we’re not immediately aware of the hazards. Renowned for the Kids Alive Do the Five swim and water safety stips, Kids Alive also offers swimming lessons, guidance for parents, carers and teachers, short video clips and books that help to keep all our children safe in and around water.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin SPF50+ Sunscreen, $36.95

Another all-year round product but even more essential in summer, family sunblock is a must-have for your beach bag. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin SPF50+ Sunscreen can be applied directly to wet skin for four hours’ water resistance, which is terrific for families with kids who practically live in the water.

The clear, not-sticky formula doesn’t leave white marks and is suitable for children with sensitive skin.

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. 

MOOV Insect Repellent Roll-On, $7.20

Your summer essentials aren’t complete without some bug repellent. Natural melaleuca oil is the active ingredient in MOOV Insect Repellent Roll-On that provides three hour  protection against flies, sand-flies and mosquitoes.

Sunplay Australia Oasis Beach Tent with Free Backpack, RRP $229 (sale $199) 

Looking for an easy to open AND easy to close beach tent? Look no further. Sunplay Australia’s Oasis has a UPF sun protection rating of 50+ and two large side windows that role up for air flow. The rigid frame means it can withstand light winds and large sand pockets make it stable on the beach while tent pegs allow you to use it in the park or garden.

The zip-up mesh front door allows for a little privacy, and it comes in a super handy backpack.

ooGee Australia, Dingo Creek hat, RRP $95

Available in three colour combinations, the Dingo Creek hat by ooGee Australia provides the very best protection from the sun.

All ooGee hats are scientifically tested to ensure they rate UPF50+.

Carryall tote (XL) – Lakehouse, RRP $139

This sustainably made over-size beach bag makes toting things to the beach or pool far easier. It’s water resistant, with an outer ‘wet pocket’ and zipped internal pockets, meaning you can keep sunblock separate from your phone, and wet swimmers away from dry clothes.

Stain-proof and machine washable, this bag will see you through the summer. The pink-lined Lakehouse bag is made from recycled PET bottles.

Wanderer Quad Fold Beach Cart, $99.99 (was RRP $169.99)

Beach carts are a game changer for families!

Whether you pop your kids’ boogie boards and sand toys in there, or the tired, wet children on the way home, the Wanderer Quad Fold Beach Cart has a compact design with a lock-in place, telescopic handle and large wheels that make it easier to haul your brood across the sand or camp ground. The quad-fold cart has removable wheels and folds down for easy storage. (Umbrella not included.)

Australia Sand Free Family Beach Towel, RRP $99.99

Sand-free beach towels are the go for happy families. This oversize (150cm by 150cm) beach towel is perfect for you and your little ones to relax at the beach, the pool or in the park.

The tight weave and velour front lets the sand slide off! Three design options are available.

Betty Crocker Icy Pole Makers 6pk, $24

Keeping cool in the long summer months is a priority so having home-made icy poles on hand can be good for your pocket and make them that bit healthier then store-bought iced treats.

Your best friend’s Betty with this six-serve icy pole maker where you can freeze fruit, juice and yoghurt too.

Marabou Lycra Hat – Kids, $44.99

Sun hats are essential for the whole family and you’ll often find a reluctant hat wearer can be persuaded to wear one if their parents are wearing them too. The cute Aqua Blu Kids range comes in babies’ and kids’ sizes, in sunny pastel hues and ocean blue designs.

Soft fabric means it’s comfy for beach wear, the brim protects young skin from the sun and the neck tie means it’s not going to blow off in the breeze.

Ducky Sunglasses – Clear, $24.95

Sun-loving families need to protect their kids’ eyes as well as their skin, and Cancer Council toddlers’ sunnies come in wide colour range to suit your stylish tot.