Kiddo Adventure Packing List
The other day over dinner, my girlfriend and I were talking about how critical the packing list is when setting off on an adventure with kids. If you don’t have everything you need, it can quickly lead to meltdown city and a swift end to your excursion. Here are the things I always keep in my pack… yes, it’s large and yes, I use everything usually!
Sunscreen + bug spray
Small first aid kit (band-aids, antibacterial wipes) - I swear we use it every time.
Quick dry towel - If you’ve noticed, we love the water around here and these things come in handy!
Water shoes - wet sneakers are never fun and although it’s a pain to switch shoes, it’s always worth it. And most water shoes are super light and some even fold. Pack a small reusable grocery bag to put the wet water shoes into after.
Extra socks - water or not, I always pack extra socks in case of weather, mud, etc.
Extra clothes - if we’re going to be splashing around, I always pack an extra set of clothes if room allows (at least pants and underwear). Someone always falls fully in the water!
Snacks and/or lunch - I prefer to also pack lunch depending on time of day because hangry kids are never fun and snacks don’t always cut it. I like to pack a “special treat” too if I need some form of motivation or bribery :)
Hats - we never, ever leave without baseball hats in warm weather and beanies in the cold. These are lifesavers in terms of keeping everyone comfortable.
Water - duh! I always pack their bottles (or hydration bladders, see below) and an another extra large one for me.
Kids backpacks / hydration bladders - from age 4-5 on, my kids wear their own small packs, typically with a bladder. For some reason, they find the bladder fun to drink from. In their pack, they’ll usually hold a few snacks and any other small trinkets they’ve selected to take on the journey.
