I know, I know. All we do is talk about the weather around here. If you are prepared to talk about the weather, anyone will have a conversation with you in England! I love living here. I really do. Where is the sun hiding, though? One minute, it is pouring down with rain, the next it is warm enough to wear flip flops and a tank top but the sun is hiding behind the clouds. Rant over (sorry!).
I live for sunshine. It is my fuel, my source of energy and my happiness gauge, all at the same time, so as soon as the big bright ball is showing its nose, I am outdoors with the kids! I am a much nicer person when I am out and about, and my children are far better behaved than if they were stuck indoors.
Every year at the start of spring, I spend half an hour or so packing a bag that stays by the front door, ready for spontaneous outings. That means not stressing about something that is meant to be relaxing (being outdoors enjoying the sun!). I first wrote an article about this a couple of years ago. I just updated it so I could publish it again, with the addition of a short video. I hope you enjoy it!
Here is what we keep in our pre-packed bag:
- Sunscreen – We use SunSense as it is ideal for eczema sufferers.
- Sunglasses & hats
- Nappies
- Wipes – a new pack every time so the wipes do not dry out.
- Tissues
- A few coins – change for toilets, car park or a cold drink
- Snacks that do not melt – cereal bars, a couple of packets of biscuits
- A bottle of water – I always go for Evian with a sports cap (everyone including baby can use it)
- A couple of plastic bags – can be used as bins, sick bags, bags for wet clothes…
- Spare clothes – underwear & light outfit as well as a cardigan for each child
- Even if you are not planning to go anywhere near water, it is a good idea to pack swimsuits for all the children, HUGGIES® Little Swimmers® nappies as well as a couple of towels they could share. You never know; you might go past a paddling pool, a fountain or water features. HUGGIES® Little Swimmers® are an essential item in our bag for our impromptu days out in the summer. They are easy to put on and take off, and they do not expand in the water or leak. Spontaneous splashing, anyone?
I normally add these in an insulated bag at the last minute:
- If I have space in the freezer, I usually put two or three bottles (3/4 filled) in there the night before for water that remains cold for hours. Contact with the ice-cold bottle is also a nice way to relieve my girls’ eczema.
- When we are going to a local park, I also pack frozen yoghurt, smooze or smoothie tubes as well as scissors for a lovely fresh treat we all enjoy as soon as we arrive at the park.
Other items you might want to include:
- Insect repellent
- Sand toys
- Inflatable ball
- Waterproofs
- Plasters
- Arnica
Having that bag ready by the front door means I do not have to think about what to take and I can focus on getting my four little ones ready. It is liberating to find my inner child and fully enjoy my children by sitting on the side of the paddling pool as they are having fun, splashing them, meeting friends and their little ones, cheering as they do a forward roll on the grass or jumping on the kids’ zip wire when no-one is looking.
As far as snacks are concerned, I normally go for biscuits we all like as well as a pack of ‘free from’ Lazy Day Foods one for Jumpy, who has a range of allergies.
The rest of us have biscuits!
If you could pack just three things when going out with children in the summer, what would they be?
Disclosure:
We are working with HUGGIES® Little Swimmers® this year and I have received payment for this blog post, but all opinions and photos are my own.
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Lovely post Mel, I really like how you approached this challenge 🙂 Such a good idea to have a bag ready, I do that too as we are forever just running out the door and at the very least I know I have suncream, hats and sunglasses!
It just makes life easier, doesn’t it?
Your pre packed bag is a great idea.Certainly take the stress out of getting out the door. #CountryKids
It does! We have been to a different park every day this week. It has been great! We will go to the library today for the summer challenge. Excited kids!
Having a pre-packed bag is a great idea – so much easier than trying to rush around at the last minute getting things together. Will have to try and do this so we are better prepared for days out too! 🙂
It really helps and it means you can just decide you are going out and be outside within five minutes.
Sounds like a great plan to me! I’m going to start packing a bag the night before as the mornings are always hectic here too and we only have 2! #countrykids
Great move! Let me know if you think of anything else you would pack other than what I have listed.
Hi, I’ve got a similar blogpost coming up, as I have to work, I’ve been trying to think of ways to save time so we don’t eat into our precious family time at weekends 🙂 Found this post really interesting. This park sounds great, I’m so jealous that you have something so good so close.
We have a lot of very good parks in our area and we went to a different one every day this week. Looking forward to reading your post!
It does actually seem less stressful when we go out too, there’s just more space to run about! x
Your blog is lovely and great post, nice to see someone as organised as me x
Thanks for the compliments Sarah!
It is definitely good to get out isn’t it? being stuck indoors is a sure fire way to send you all a bit crazy i think! The pre-packed bag is a genius idea and I try and keep a similar one so that we don’t have too much of a rush. I can imagine it is even more important with lots of kiddies! xx #countrykids
Organisation is a must with the four little ones. Being out is bliss…
We have a bag in the boot packed ready for the beach (as we live so close to several good ones) which just needs to be replenished with a dry towel and bathers after each time, it’s been a life saver several times! I couldn’t agree more about getting out and being less grumpy!
Nipping over from Country Kids.
We do the same when we are on holidays. It makes leaving the house easier, doesn’t it?
Such a great idea to have a ready to grab bag, kept for days out, I certainly need to take a leaf out of your book and do this it would save a lot of rushing around ! #Countrykids
This bag always ready near the front door means I have felt confident to leave the house with my four little ones every day for impromptu visits to parks, paddling pools, the library. Brilliant!
Love the bag and your handy list of things to go in it. Always prepared for a Country Kids hour when things are this organised. We have a bag at the ready for the beach like this. It really helps. Thank you for sharing your idea with me on Country Kids.
My pleasure, Fiona! It was your little reminder about Country Kids that got me writing it.
That is such a brilliant idea Mel, so much better than running around like a headless chicken on the day you decide to take a trip!
#MagicMoments
Thanks! Meeting friends later in the park… no stress!
When there are lots of stress inside the house the only way to cool our heads is to go out as well. As we live near the beach our only essential is a hat and a bottle of water. We apply spf at home. When our heads are cleared we go back home and then go out again when the beach is emptier at night. #Countrykids
Walking on the beach is so soothing, isn’t it?
What a fantastic post! Loved reading it. Such a great idea too, we’re all guilty of throwing things together last minute! Im really missing being out and about with my 10 yr old, I’m due my 2nd baby anytime now so Im just too tired and not coping with the heat well to be able to take him on many day trips at the mo!
Lianne | TheBrunetteSays…
Whenever I throw things in a bag at the last minute, I either end up carrying way too much, or forgetting essentials like sunscreen or water! Good luck for your last few weeks of pregnancy.
What a brilliant idea, I don’t have a bag ready but I do have a list and it becomes fundamental o excursions and days out 🙂
Same here, I have packing lists for our holidays and it helps not having to think too much.
Nice post and great idea to have a go-bag ready at any time. I too find myself running round getting this and that. I end up throwing in so much stuff the bag weighs 2 tons. Also love that BN was the summer holiday biscuit. What great memories.
I tend to do the same thing: throw everything in a bag (kitchen sink included) if I have not got a bag ready. At the moment, going out on my own with the four little ones, I try to make it light and manageable. The biscuits did not last long!
FANTASTIC idea!! I hate running around in the last minute packing these bags… I’m not calm, relaxed, patient mama in those moments!! I will definitely be doing this…
Suncream too – I can’t understand why we only buy one at once?! It means you’re always looking for it and it’s in a new place every time you need it!
Thanks for linking to #brilliantblogposts 🙂
xox
No worries hun; it was a real pleasure linking with you! Ha ha, so true about the suncream. I have just bought a second one so we always have one in my handbag and one in the pre-packed bag! x
This Summer I’ve ditched my leather bucket bag for a rucksack and stuffed it full of all the things that I think we’ll need for our days out, much as you have. The only thing I’d add to your lost is antibacterial hand wash for mucky hands when you’re not near a sink. We’re big fans of SunSense at Bod Towers too – have you tried the roll-on? It’s awesome. And those biscuits look delicious! Great post!
Great idea to add the antibacterial hand gel. We always use the roll on SunSense toddler milk. The children love putting it on themselves.
Sunscreen, hats and baby wipes! X
Sun cream, pampers wipes and snacks
lots of baby wipes, drinks and sunblock
extra clothes, a towel and some sweets
Wipes, raisins and sunscreen
Wipes – what would we do without them? lol Sunscreen and an ipad for entertainment. You can never have too much Peppa Pig, right?
Mine would be.. wipes, nappy & bottle.
Hey, thanks for the amazing competition! For my little one I would pack sun cream to keep her skin from burning, A mini picnic and a towel for those spontaneous jump in the fountain moments!
Suncreme, Baby Wipes, Water
Baby wipes, suncream and snacks! 🙂
Suncream, blanket and bottles of water for me, great post lovely idea!
The three things I have to take are,
Nappies, baby wipes and sun cream.
My little girl is disabled so has to wear swim nappies for days at the beach or swimming, wiped clean everything up, and sun cream because my kids are so fair that they burn just looking at the sun. X
Hats, sun cream and drinks for the little ones.
My three things would be, food, drink, sun cream as I know first hand how bad it hurt getting burnt
Sun cream, wipes and juice
Wet wipes of course, healthy snacks and a sunhat x
Wipes, Suncream and Water!
Lovely Post !! You are a super woman managing things so well. You are going to see me here more often.
Awwww thanks Sandhya, it really means a lot! xxx
Great ideas, I need to get more organised when taking my son out as I always forget something x
wipes, water and purse!
suncream, hats & baby wipes 🙂
Wipes nappys and snacks but that’s a day dream bag always seem to carry 2 to 3 bags everywhere if only
sun cream food and drink. they can always make their own entertainment
sun cream, a hat and a drink
I never would have thought of having a prepacked going out bag. You always think of the hospital bag and the nappy bag but not the sunny day bag. Good idea though! 🙂
It’s a really hard question to think of just three as kids need about ten thousand things to get ’em through the day it seems like. But I reckon sun cream as a definite number one, then baby wipes (they solve most messes/spills) and a big bottle of water or sugar free squash.
Fun, happiness and love!
Nappys, Baby wipes and Drink
Suncream, Hat and baby wipes
Wetwipes,suncream and insect repellent.
If I could pack just three things I’d go with wipes, water and suntan lotion X
My three essentials are my little boys’ kids tablet for videos, games and music to keep him occupied, plenty of water to drink and wet wipes for all the sticky mess he gets into. x
I would always pack suncream , first aid kit and bottled water
Wipes, nappies and a muslin
This is a great idea, i would pack sun cream, juice and a hat
I always pack Wipes, water and sun cream in my handbag at this time of year
Suncream, wipes and snacks. We can go just about anywhere with just these!
Sunscreen hat and baby wipes x
sunglasses, hat and suncream
Sunglasses, suncream and water
Snacks, drinks and wet wipes
Fantastic idea! Mine would be suncream, wipes and drinks.
Will be pacling my little beach tent too to keep the sun off while baby naps x
Baby wipes, sun cream and drinks.
Nappies, wipes and sun cream
money, baby wipes and toys x
Suncream, snacks and water.
I would have to take baby wipes (useful for everything!), water and suntan lotion x
Loving the prepacked bag, I would have to take Baby Wipes, Money and Sun tan lotion
Nappies, Wipes , Sunscreen
nappies, suncream, water
drink, wipes, clothes
wipes, money and suncream
Baby wipes, sunscreen and snacks.
hats, sum cream and wipes
A prepacked bag is a great idea … The three things that are a must have are – Suncream, Hat and Water
Nappies, suncream and snacks!
Bottle of water, Sunscreen, Money – to buy anything else we needed! (is that cheating? haha)
Sun cream, sun hat and beaker with water
I would pack sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.
wet wipes, sun cream and nappies
Wipes, sun cream & a drink.
Baby wipes , nappies and lots of patience !
Sun cream, sun hat, wipes
water, suncream, wipes
I’m currently pregnant with my first children – due twins in Dec! I think I’d pack suncream, snacks and a comfy blanket for naps…
Exciting times… twice as many cuddles!
Sun cream, water and snacks 🙂
Wet wipes,water and a game
Suncream money and baby wipes
The three things would be Suncream, wipes and drinks
water, suncream, sunhat
Suncream, hat and snacks
Wet wipes, nappies, money
Wet wipes, sun block & nappies!
sun screen, wet wipes and snacks
snacks-wet wipes and suncream
Sunscreen, wipes & snacks
WET WIPES, DRINKS, CHANGE OF CLOTHES
I am looking at your approach to packing an organised bag for all outings now – I even have one for the dog!
Ha, that’s brilliant!
Tissues/wipes, sunscreen and my purse (with cash in it kids don’t come cheap)
Money to buy ice cream, baby wipes to wipe the ice cream off of everywhere on their faces and bodies and suncream 🙂 Thanks
Water, wipes and nappies
Baby wipes, Robinsons squashed and a spare pair of trousers!
Sun tan lotion, water, hat
I always try not to forget sun cream, baby wipes and snacks
Sun cream, spare clothes and ice cream money
suncream, hats, and waterbottles
Sun cream, wipes and a spare hat!
suncream, juice and snacks
Sunscreen, water, snacks
Sun cream (gotta live in hope), wet wipes (to be prepared), phone (for when I can take no more and need reinforcements…)
Always carry wetwipes with you wherever you go! They’re a god send!
I would pack nappies, sun cream and drinks/bottles of milk
It would have to be water, some snacks and plenty of high factor sun lotion.
Always suncream, drink and the inevitable baby wipes x
Wipes, water and suncream
Sun Cream, wipes and an umbrella (we are in Britain after all!)
Nappies, wipes and snacks!
Nappies, Wipes and Suncream
Wipes, Food & Peppa Pig!
Sun cream, hat and drinks
Suncream, Food and Lots of Water
Wipes, sun cream, drinks
Your pre packed bag is a great idea, amazing x
water, wipes and and suncream
Sunscreen wipes and a drink
wipes suncream n juice
water, wipes and nappies
I’d take suncream, juice, and wipes
His blanket , baby wipes and his milk
Suncream, wipes and drink!
The 3 items I would pack for a day out with the little ones would be sun cream, sun hats and wet wipes!
Suncream, wipes and a camera
Im trying to get out more with my little one before he starts school in September. This is a great idea easier to just go and will give me more time to spend with my boy. Im stealing this to make life easier. Thanks!
Sun block – Sun hat – spf sun clothing (great invention)
juice snacks and baby wipes
wipes, drinks and hats
suncream, hat , water change of clothes
water wipes and sun cream
A change of clothes, suncream and a camera
Sun cream, sun hat and water : )
suncream, sunhat, towels
I always pack – Sun cream – wet wipes – and grapes ?
Sun cream, wet wipes and water xxx
suncream, nappies, drinks
If just three things then it would be water wipes, sunscreen and nappies
water< sunblock and wipes!
suncream, wet wipes and water 🙂
Baby’s wipes, nappies, sunscreen
I always pre pack a bag, you never know what children might get up too! I love to be prepared!!
My 3 things would definitely be lots of baby wipes, change of clothes and lots of water 🙂
Brilliant competition:) xx
Wet Wipes, a carrier bag for rubbish, treasures or wet clothes and suncream
Nappies, Wipes and Suncream 😀
hi what a fab idea, mine would be wipes, sun cream and snacks
Wipes suncream and a dinosaur, they are all necessary for my 2 year old Grandson
a towel, sunscrean plus big bottle of water
great idea 🙂 when going out with our son the three main essentials would be his train box (includes a small talking thomas train and some old tickets which he likes to hand to people) wipes! – there a must for a messy toddler and pennies as he likes to buy his own snacks like a big boy 🙂
Baby wipes, juice to drink and sun cream
snacks, towel and suncream
His toy monkey, his ocean music and muslin squares 🙂
With three little ones I attend to pack as much as I can the previous night, sandwiches ready and foiled (no moist bits in or they get soggy mind you), cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes into containers, drinks into the fridge etc.
If I’d have to choose just 3 items it would have to be sun cream, purse (for ice creams, snacks, drinks etc) and wet wipes 😉
This is such a great idea. My 3 things would be sun cream, nappies and wipes.
Sun cream, wipes and water – all very essential items 🙂
suncream, a hat, wetwipes