7 Absolute Must-Haves To Take With You When You Go Out With Your Kids
Getting out of the house when you have kids can be, let’s just say, “interesting.” Doing it with everything you actually need? A whole other level of challenge. From the essentials for keeping kids happy — snacks!! — to the logistical essentials like keys, phone, etc., there’s a lot to think about.
Before your next day at the park or even a simple grocery store run, here are some pro tips on the must-haves that will help keep any outing running smoothly.
PKW
Phone, keys, wallet. These three are so important that they count as one item. Every time you grab your keys, just think of them as a matching set with your wallet and phone. If you don’t, you could find yourself standing in the grocery store checkout line with a dawning sense of dread as you realize you have no way to pay for your groceries.
Snacks Kids Actually Like
Aside from PKW, snacks are the most important item on any list of must-haves. Whether you’re heading out for a day at the park or running a marathon of outings all over town, you want to bring along a snack that you’re confident your kids will love — something like a CLIF Kid Zbar®. They’re delicious, soft-baked whole grain energy bars with a taste and texture kids love. These bars are the ultimate no-brainer (which is perfect because we’ve got enough to think about, thankyouverymuch). CLIF Kid Zbar® is wholesome, super portable, and they keep kids fueled for every adventure. If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready, right?
Wipes
They may be technically made for diaper changes, but every mom knows wipes are handy to have around way into the big kid years. They’re perfect for cleaning little hands before and after a yummy snack, wiping down a sticky surface, or even getting minor stains out of clothes. Always have a spare packet of wipes on hand so that when your kid decides to dig for worms at the playground because “they’re so cute,” you don’t need to freak out about how much dirt they’ll bring into the car. Wipes to the rescue!
Stuffy/Lovey/Plushie
If The Year We Will Never Speak Of Again taught us anything, it’s that we need to be prepared at all times for unplanned situations to pop up. Flat tire, chatty neighbor who goes on and on (and on), doctor’s appointments so delayed you might as well pitch a tent in the waiting room… When you and your child find yourself stuck somewhere longer than you planned, you will be so, so happy you packed their favorite comfort object.
Extra Clothes
No matter your kid’s age, it’s a smart idea to have a change of clothes stowed in the car somewhere. You never know when the weather will be so perfect, you won’t be able to resist pulling the car over for an impromptu playtime break at your local park. And you’ve been at this parenting gig long enough to know that wherever there’s dirt (or anything sticky or smelly), a child will find it. They’ll probably manage to smear some gunk on you too, come to think of it, so maybe pack a change of clothes for yourself as well as your kid. You won’t regret it.
Sunblock
For spontaneous families who love outdoor adventures, it’s a good idea to always keep a spare tube of sunblock on hand. We love being out in the fresh air and sunshine, but we also want to make sure we’re protecting our skin from damaging UV rays while we soak in the vitamin D that’s actually good for our bodies. So, whether you’re planning a family nature hike, a picnic at the lake, or just heading to the kids’ soccer practice, you want to always have a good high SPF sunblock ready to go.
More Snacks
Just want to really hammer this one home: snacks are your most essential tool for making sure “But I’m staaaarving!” doesn’t derail your venture outside the house. Snacks like CLIF Kid Zbar®, made with wholesome ingredients and organic oats, are crafted to keep kids going, growing, and exploring — whether they’re on the field, on the move, or in the checkout line. One more benefit of keeping snacks on you at all times? A chewing mouth is one that’s not giving you an 18-minute-long presentation of “fun facts” about the diplodocus.
