Prepared for Summer Adventures

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

05 Aug 2008 10:37 AM

It was a beautiful day yesterday, just right for some sort of outdoor adventure with the kids. We decided to head over to the park for a spontaneous playdate. But how many times do we just run out the door without something that we know we'll need later, such as a change of clothes, or sunscreen or a snack? Kids come with requirements for stuff, no matter if you are taking a trip down the shore or just to the local park.

Most of the time, we do realize that we need to take some supplies, but choose not to, since the gathering of them all will make us late for a timed event or for meeting friends on time. Other times, we will go through the trouble of throwing everything in a bag, only to realize that yes, we did miss something after all.

When you find yourself without supplies, it usually means that you either have to borrow items from people around you or call the adventure quits and head home. If someone gets hungry or thirsty, you may find yourself up a creek, so to speak. If you want to stay longer than you planned but don't have more sunscreen, the game is over.

One solution I found for this is to have at least one tote or backpack that is already packed with needed items. This way, I can just grab the bag and go. If there is something specific for a particular adventure that is needed, it is easy to just throw it in at the last minute. I know that for the most part, we will always be prepared.

I keep the backpack in our front hall closet, so it is always ready to grab.

This is what is in our backpack:

• Diapers
• Complete changes of clothes for my two youngest and a change of shirt and socks for my oldest
• Juice or milk boxes
• Granola bars
• A bag of fish-shaped or other crackers
• Raisins
• A small pack of tissues or wipes
• A tub of glow sticks (since we do a lot of nighttime outdoor concerts, and I find this keeps antsy kids occupied)
• Two types of sunscreen
• A small amount of cash (for unexpected opportunities, such as the ice cream man or a yard sale)

At the last minute, I may throw in some fresh fruit, sun hats, towels, etc.

No kids? Make up a tote that includes sunscreen, a hat, some snacks and a good book for yourself!

Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.

Related Posts:

Free Summer Movies

Frugal Activities in the Park

Fun and Free Things to Do on a Saturday

Staying Safe at a Theme Park

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger