Center Parcs Packing List (inc Printable Checklist)

Packing for Center Parcs can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re travelling with children. The on-site Parc Market stocks most things you might forget, but prices are significantly higher than a regular supermarket, so the more you bring from home, the more you’ll save.

I’ve visited Center Parcs more than ten times across multiple villages, first as a couple and now as a family with young children. This packing list is based on everything we’ve learned across those trips.

What’s Already in Your Lodge

Before you start packing, it’s worth knowing what Center Parcs already provides so you don’t overpack. A standard Woodland Lodge includes:

• Bed linen
• Towels
• A Tassimo coffee machine
• A small bar of soap per sink
• 2 toilet rolls per bathroom
• A hairdryer in the main bedroom
• A basic cleaning pack including 3 dishwasher tablets, a sachet of washing up liquid, a tea towel, cloth, sponge and spare bin bag.

Hand Luggage

• Booking information
• Mobile phone and charger
• Bank card (all villages are cashless)
• Small first aid kit
• Wipes, Nappies and snacks (toddlers)
• Spare clothes and Calpol (toddlers)
• Swimwear, pool towel and goggles (if swimming before lodge access)
• Suncream and sunhat (summer)

Clothing

• Underwear, socks and pyjamas
• T-shirts and trousers
• Light jacket and comfortable walking shoes
• Flip flops or sliders
• Raincoat and wellies (autumn and winter)
• Warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves (winter)
• Shorts and sunhat (summer)
• Swimwear for each day
• Pool towels (separate from lodge towels)
• Wetbag for wet kit
• Swim nappies and armbands (young children)

Toiletries

• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash
• Face wash, toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush, deodorant and moisturiser
• Razor and feminine hygiene products
• Make-up
• First aid kit and any regular medication
• Calpol and thermometer (young children)
• Glasses, contact lenses and solution if needed

Food & Drink

• Cereal and breakfast items
• Bread, butter and spreads
• Fruit, snacks, crisps and biscuits
• Condiments, sauces, cooking oil and herbs
• Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and Tassimo pods
• Milk, sugar, alcohol and soft drinks
• Baby food and formula if needed
• Cool bag for the journey
• Disposable BBQ and matches (smokeless only)

Kitchen Extras

• Extra dishwasher tablets and washing up liquid
• Extra bin bags and kitchen roll
• Food storage bags or cling film
• Tongs for BBQs

Tech & Entertainment

• Charging cables and USB plugs
• iPad or tablet
• Firestick or streaming device
• Board games
• Books and travel games

Baby & Toddler

• Pushchair and raincover
• Sling or baby carrier
• Bottles, sterilising bags and plastic cutlery
• Nappy cream and breast pump if needed

Other Essentials

• Bird feed and window bird feeder
• Extra toilet rolls
• Torch
• Water bottles
• Reusable shopping bag
• Bin bags for wet swimwear and dirty laundry
• Umbrella
• Bikes, locks and helmets
• Scooters and safety equipment
• Sports equipment (badminton rackets, football, travel table tennis)
• Smokeless fire logs
• Bucket and spade (summer)
• Boot bag or bin liner for muddy shoes

A Few Things Worth Knowing

Pool towels: Lodge towels cannot be used at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. Bring separate pool towels. Microfibre ones pack down small and dry quickly.

Lodge access times: You can arrive at the village from 10am but lodge access depends on your accommodation type. Woodland Lodges open at 4pm (2pm with paid early arrival), Forest Lodges at 3pm (1pm with early arrival), and Treehouses and Exclusive Lodges at 2pm as standard. Pack a day bag so you can head straight to the pool without waiting by the car.

Food: We always stop at a supermarket on the way and bring meal kits that go straight in the oven, much cheaper than eating out every night. The Starter Pack and Family Grocery Pack are convenient but not great value for money compared to doing your own shop.

Tech: Standard Woodland Lodges have a basic TV with limited channels. We bring a Firestick on longer stays and it’s always worth it for evenings in the lodge.

Bird feed: We always pack bird feed and a clear window bird feeder. Our children love watching the birds from inside the lodge and it costs almost nothing.

Fire logs: If your lodge has a log burner, buy smokeless fire logs from a supermarket or B&M before you go. They’re significantly cheaper than the Parc Market.