Millions of parents leave essential items at home every time they go on a day trip – with sun cream, water bottles, and wet wipes the most forgotten.

A poll of 1,000 mums and dads with children aged up to 14, found 32% ‘always’ or ‘often’ head off on excursions with their family only to discover they’ve left something behind.

Other such vital items include beach towels (10%) and a change of clothes for the kids (12%). This is despite 29% taking two hours or more to get ready and get out the house for a day trip.

The study was conducted by Škoda, makers of the Kodiaq, who have installed an unusual phone on Mersea Island Beach in Essex. 

It was launched by the car maker ahead of National Beach day (Friday August 30. Described as ‘a family beach hotline,’ the emergency phone is to help parents who’ve forgotten essentials on their family day trip.

A significant 44% said they’ve forgotten something on family trips with sun cream, water bottles and wet wipes topping the list and over a third have reported their children have had meltdowns due to missing essentials.

Kirsten Stagg, a spokesperson for Škoda, who have created a new seven-seater family SUV – including wireless charging for gadgets and integrated ChatGPT – said: “As a parent myself, I understand the stress and panic of getting to your destination and realising you’ve left behind essentials.”

Visiting the British seaside is the nation’s favourite family day trip destination, according to the study. 

With 30% of families enjoying a day trip at least once-a-week, and nine in 10 travelling by car for such a day out – covering an average of 88 miles in the process. 

Stressed parents revealed the biggest barriers to getting their little ones out the door are packing lunches (32%), getting them dressed (25%) and a last-minute round of toilet trips (25%).

And despite their best efforts to do otherwise, many have forgotten essentials leaving mums and dads feeling annoyed (37%) and unorganised (26%). It’s also resulted in 49% forking out for replacement items and 16% blaming their partner for the mishap.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found parents typically pack four entertainment devices and toys, including tablets (49%) and soft toys (37%).

However, 23% feel they never have any space in their car once it’s packed for a day trip and 44% said the number of items they take with them makes a day out feel like a mini holiday.