The 3 beach hacks every mum needs this summer & how to keep your belongings safe when heading into the pool
While a day by the sea is pure joy, keeping essentials safe and hassle-free can be a real challenge, especially when you're trying to take a refreshing dip.
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But one brilliant mum has shared some game-changing beach hacks that every parent needs this summer.
Ollie, known as @ lets.do.it.all on TikTok, recently went viral with a video simply captioned: "Beach hacks every mum needs this summer!"
She kicks off her genius tips by tackling that universal parent struggle: applying sun cream to a child's face without it stinging their eyes.
Her solution? Give your child two spoons and have them cover their eyes with them while you spray on the sun cream.
Simple, yet incredibly effective - no more tears from stinging eyes.
Next, Ollie revealed a clever trick for securing your belongings.
Tired of sandals going astray? She demonstrated how to use a plastic cable tie, looping it through her flip-flops and then securely fastening them to the sunbed.
She applied the same smart thinking to her sunglasses, placing them safely in their case before using another cable tie to attach the case firmly to the back of the sunbed.
The video has gained 206.1k views and 19 comments after two days of being shared.
One wrote: 'Awesome summer hacks for the pool.'
Stacey Solomon shows off hack she swears by to make packing for holiday much easier - & you can nab it from Ikea for £6
Airport costs
If you're planning to drop someone off at a UK airport this summer, prepare for a shock.
New research from the RAC reveals that airport drop-off charges have surged by up to 33% in the past year, with over half of UK airports either raising or introducing these fees.
This stands in stark contrast to most major EU airports, where dropping off passengers close to the terminal remains completely free.
Since last summer, eleven out of 20 UK airports analysed by the RAC have increased their "kiss and fly" charges - the fees levied for the most convenient drop-off spots.
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For instance, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Liverpool John Lennon, Newcastle, and Southampton all saw their fees jump by £1.
Leeds Bradford and Glasgow added 50p to their charges.
The changes aren't just about increases either; some airports have introduced new fees entirely. Cardiff, which previously had no charge, now levies a £3 fee, while Luton, which had no "kiss and fly" area last summer due to a car park fire, now charges £5.
London City remains the sole UK airport in the analysis that still offers free drop-offs directly outside its terminal.
While prices were frozen at Aberdeen, Belfast International, Bournemouth, East Midlands, Manchester, and Stansted, the overall trend paints a clear picture.
The RAC's findings highlight a significant difference compared to Europe, where eight of the 10 busiest EU airports, including major hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, and Madrid, charge nothing for drop-offs.
This means a quick goodbye at many UK airports now comes with a much higher price tag.
Holiday packing tips
Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday.
1. Write a list
Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase.
Or for complete ease, try Google's AI app - Gemini - which will create a list for you and help you not over pack.
2. Involve your kids
Jemma said: 'My girls are getting older, they're 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say 'this is what you need' and they follow the list.
'And then I give them a rucksack each - and say to them 'you can have whatever you want in there as long as it's not liquid', and they can take that on the plane. And that's their 'home away from home' items.'
3. Try a hack or two
She said: "I think they all work, but for different reasons - and you've just got to pick the right one for your trip.
"Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you're trying to get a lot of items into your case, it's a space saver.
'Packing cubes are great - for example, I'm going on holiday with my three kids and we're all using the same suitcase for our clothes.
"These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked.
"I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we've arrived."
4. Decant beauty products
Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets - which are much lighter and smaller.
Or, if you'll be popping to the shops when you're abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive.
5. Get organised before you come home
Jemma said: 'When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes.
'Also pack it in some form of order - so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person.
"Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don't leave it."
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