The Ultimate Be-Prepared Parent Adventure Checklist

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

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -

LATEST STORIES

Meet Up, Eat Up in Macomb County

Brought to you by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development and the Macomb Intermediate School District

Enjoy Art Fairs, Summer Fests, Free Outdoor Movies and More Fun Things to Do with Metro Detroit Kids This Weekend

Plan your Father’s Day weekend in metro Detroit with summer festivals, a free fishing derby, art fairs and more for June 13-15, 2025.

Wayne County’s Best Public High Schools for 2025

Explore the top public high schools in Wayne County for 2025, ranked by Niche based on academics, teacher quality, diversity and more.




- Advertisement -