Ready for an adventure with your kids? Whether you’re headed out to a local park, museum, play center or amusement park, you’ll have everything you need with the grab-and-go cheat sheet.
Peek at our suggestions and let us know in comments if there’s anything we missed.
Must haves
If you only have room for a few items, make sure your bag includes the following:
- Mobile phone
- Wallet
- Cash (don’t forget quarters for the parking meter)
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Granola bars (or other easy snack)
- Ziploc baggies
- Tissues
- Medicine kit with ibuprofen (headaches, aches and pains), acetaminophen (fevers), Benadryl (allergic reactions), antacids (for upset tummies) and Band-Aids
- Paper and pen/pencils
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Your child’s pediatrician’s phone number
Good to have
While you don’t have to pack these items, you never know what might come up during your family outing.
- Baby or antibacterial wipes
- Mints or gum
- Extra snacks!
- Safety pins
- Insect repellent
- Favorite toy(s)
- Mini flashlight
- Rubber bands (to hold stuff together or create an impromptu game)
- Light blanket
- Dental floss or toothpicks
- Small scissors
- Hand lotion
What to wear
Always dress in layers – you never know what our Michigan weather will bring.
- Hats
- Gloves
- Rain jacket
- Umbrella
- Extra T-shirt
- Socks
- Pair of shoes
Why didn’t I think of that!
- Maps (sometimes the smartphone apps get it wrong)
- Lollipops
- Play-Doh
- Night light (if you’re staying away from home)
- Honey sticks (for sore throats)
- Towel
- Fingernail clippers
- Cotton balls
- Cough drops
- Q-tips
- Pillow
- Puke buckets
- Tupperware container or two
