I hope you’ve figured out by now that I love to take my little ones adventuring. Whether it’s a morning at the zoo or a playdate in the park, we do our fair share of exploring the outdoors.
One of my greatest dilemmas is deciding what to bring – too much and you can’t carry it all, too little and you inevitably find yourself one snack too few and one kid (or more) too cranky!
I recently asked of few of my outdoorsy friends what they usually bring along on their adventures and received some helpful ideas:
- Sand toys, including plastic buckets, shovels and skimming nets
- Beach chair (ideally one for grown ups and another for kids)
- Beach blanket for picnics
- Plastic bug container with magnifying glass
- Kid’s binoculars
Armed with these suggestions, I’m starting to put together my own “adventuring bag.” Here’s what I’ve got so far:
- Plastic buckets with shovels (I so gotta get my little ones skimmer nets, too!)
- Beach blanket (the kind that folds up & zips closed is extra handy)
- Portable beach umbrella
- Frisbee
- Magnifying glass (need to add a bug container and binoculars)
I’d also like to add a flashlight, blank notebook and a spare camera (or maybe just the 5 year old’s digital camera!) to our collection.
I’ve put it all together in this great tote bag from Land’s End, which I keep stowed in the trunk of my car:
Because my youngest is still in diapers, I’ll still be sporting other items that will come and go depending on the destination – like a change of clothes, plenty of healthy snacks and sunscreen.
I’d love to know what goodies you keep on hand for your adventures. What’s your favorite, can’t-go-anywhere-without-it item?
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! I really enjoyed this post and I'll be adding to my bag for sure! I had seen a previous post of yours about giving a child a camera, and I didn't even think to add it to our bag! I love the field guide and plastic bag suggestions. So many great ideas in this post and comments!
Elizabeth, I always forget to pack an extra pair of shoes, so thanks for the reminder!
No matter what the age or what the weather, my two children have a change of clothes and an extra pair of foot wear. Usually rubber boots as well, and lots of plastic bags in case we find garbage to collect on the trails.
I add hats and water to that list. I guess it depends on the season (and your location) to some extent. Right now we don't leave home without down jackets, mittens, snow boots and knit caps. Oh, and hand warmers–those are great for keeping little hands and feet toasty.
Catherine, I think a field guide would be a great addition! The other morning I was out hiking at a marsh with a friend & wished I could identify all the birds I was seeing!
I think you've got everything covered. I usually always take water bottles, sunscreen, hats and mosquito repellent. Maybe you could add a field guide?
Thanks for the suggestions! Mel, band-aids are a requirement for our little guys — even the barely there boo boos seem to need mom's special TLC! 🙂
Great idea! I think you covered everything without overflowing with stuff you don't really need. Maybe band-aids and antiseptic wipes in case someone gets scraped up from all the outdoor play?
We don’t go anywhere without personal size Thermos bottles filled with ice and water. They are lined w/ stainless steel so they don’t break, and the ice will last for two days. It reduces plastic bottle use and gives my kids a cold drink in any weather, or hot chocolate in cold weather.