The inviting summer sun wakes you early with a burning desire to take the kids out of the house and spend a day enjoying the sunshine. You packed a giant picnic basket filled with healthy lunches and snacks but you keep thinking that you forgot something. Here is a quick list of items recommended by some of our nannies.
- Water - no matter how much water you think you will need, on hot days you can dehydrate very quickly. Bring several refillable bottles so you can save the planet while saving yourself.
- Sunscreen – even if you are going to the park and not the beach the sun is just as powerful as it peaks through the trees.
- Change of clothes – even afternoon outings can be cut short by minor spills or water gun fights. They don’t call some of today’s water guns “Super Soakers” for nothing.
- Light jackets - while not planned, sometimes your afternoon fun can extend into a cool evening.
- Garbage bags – bringing a banana is good. Shoving the peel under the seat is not good, nor is tossing it out the window. Why waste time looking for a receptacle when you can bring your own.
- First Aid Kit – kids will be kids and having fun at the park or beach means running, jumping and scraping something.
- Books – even kids run out of steam sometimes and having a book to read or have read to them for some down time can be very relaxing.
- Games – have some planned activities or games to get things started otherwise you will hear; “this is boring, there is nothing to do here”.
- Games for the car – depending on the length of the drive, kids get bored easily.
- Water – did I already mention “water”? Yes it is that important to be listed twice.
Have fun!