Ahhh, summer holidays. Cue lazy days at the beach, sailing on the lakes and long barbecues with friends. But the flip-side of all that family fun often involves two over-tired kids who go to sleep far too late, and wake up far too early – because too much summer sun creeps in the windows of my in-laws’ beach shack.

But this year we’ll be sleeping in (hooray!) because I’ve just discovered the Baa-Baa Blind, a nifty portable blackout blind that sticks with its own suction cups to any window. It takes just a second, then hey presto – instant darkness for daytime naps and night-time slumber.

The Baa-Baa Blind is one of a myriad of clever items you’ll find at the incredible Haggus and Stookles that make travelling with kids more of a pleasure and less of that other thing. The online store is the brainchild of two mums, Donna and Andrea, who started their business after being caught out at the park one day with four kids and no public toilets. I think there are plenty of parents out there who can relate.

But back to the store. Another must-have item I’ve found is the High Road Kids Organiser because it means no more twisting into painful yoga-like poses to pass snacks, drinks and toys to my preschooler on road trips. Plus, it’s the perfect backseat buffer to stop him poking and harassing his baby sister. And I love the Munchee Mug in ways I can’t even begin to explain because it means no more squeezing myself into the footwell of the backseat to pick up an avalanche of spilled sultanas or Tiny Teddies.

Haggus and Stookles will send you the Baa-Baa Blind for $74.95, the High Road Kids Organiser for $49.95, and the Munchee Mug for $12.95 each, plus postage.