Tips for (post lockdown) days out

[1AngelicFruitCake]

I’m daydreaming about days out when we’re finally allowed to leave our local area again.

I’ve got a 6 and 4 year old. What tips/recommendations have you got that help make your days out run more smoothly? I’ve seen of chair bags for children to put drinks, toys etc in but unsure if it’d be worth it. I never have change so need to keep a stash in my car.
Any good picnic mats?
Looking forward to getting organised!

[CalamariInCrisis]

or the beach I recommend little folding chairs. I also have a picnin rucksack i adore. it has compartments for plates and knives and forks and the side has a picnic blanket holder. www.vonhaus.com/vh_en/black-friday-sale/grey-woven-picnic-backpack-for-4?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=VonHaus%20-%20Shopping%20-%20Catch%20All&utm_term=&utm_content=MBSSbokE_dc|pcrid|71193500278451|pkw||pmt||grp|VonHaus%20%7C%20Bing%20%7C%20Shopping|product|1007815|slid||pgrid|1139094709872946|ptaid|pla-4574793011552589&search_intent=&msclkid=4e38262e5c811169efc5460342f3b6fa

But mainly I recommend not having too high expectations as to how the day will go. This may be because I have a profoundly developmentally delayed elder son and I would start off with loads of hopes for the day and end up bruised and battered emotionally by the tantrums and meltdowns. So now I expect his attention span to be alot shorter than i hope for and just take it as it comes.

I am desperate to get out again for days and weekends.

Where do you plan to visit? I am hoping for a weekend in the New Forest and maybe the Isle of Wight.
I also bought a picnic rucksack

[CalamariInCrisis]

sorry, that was a disjointed post! I hope it made sense!

[1AngelicFruitCake]

Thank you! I seem to start threads that don’t get usually replies😄

I love the look of the picnic bag! I hate using a carrier bag!
I completely agree about expectations and our best days are often the ones we planned the least.
I’m North West so to begin with Lytham St Anne’s, Southport, Peak District. Would love to go back to Wales when open.
I think having things to look forward to is my way of keeping positive at the moment.

[lachy]

I've thought about getting one of these for days out. Would definitely get a picnic, blanket and all the other assorted crap we need in there!

I always take a portable potty, change of clothes, sun shade, but as we're generally out all day it saves a lot of hassle.

We also have a decent rucksack with ice walls - it keeps everything really chilled. I tend to freeze bottles of water and stick them in a cool bag too.

Sun cream, baby wipes, jumpers, trainers, couple of bags (one for recycling, other one for rubbish)

I'm looking forward to getting out and about this year!

[CalamariInCrisis]

I agree about having things to look forward to. I have made a list of days out and plans and all sorts. I have never been to the places you mention- i shall put it on my list!

There is a place on the Isle of Wight that a friend recommends called Robin Hill. I woukd love to spend a weekend on the Island (maybe with DS1's best friend as well if his parents are happy with that (both boys have disabilities) and take them to Robin Hill.

I also want to go to Lyme Regis.

Thinking about it is what is keeping me going.

As for the picnic rucksack, my parents bought me it for my 40th. I adore it. It makes me feel all cosy and excited and happy to pack it. I feel very Famous Five!

[Ormally]

The picnic bags are great. Mine lost most of its picnic things but the shape is still really useful for general food transporting.

Keep some flip flops or water shoes in the car, and a couple of old towels. (Speaking of the New Forest - had a wonderful walk there on a very hot October day but had to straddle a small stream and one foot went right in it and got soaked!) But with the above you can paddle if you find somewhere nice or use sand pits in parks etc.

A great thing we always used to do is if we were travelling a longish distance, to look up decent parks with good swings on the way, particularly where you may stop for a meal. It helps to know where your swings are and give time to play on them. The kids think that was part of the point of the day out (also, Rickmansworth, we thank you. You have good swings and are in a good position for us if we are too far from home to get back for dinner.)

[CalamariInCrisis]

@lachy

I've thought about getting one of these for days out. Would definitely get a picnic, blanket and all the other assorted crap we need in there!

I always take a portable potty, change of clothes, sun shade, but as we're generally out all day it saves a lot of hassle.

We also have a decent rucksack with ice walls - it keeps everything really chilled. I tend to freeze bottles of water and stick them in a cool bag too.

Sun cream, baby wipes, jumpers, trainers, couple of bags (one for recycling, other one for rubbish)

I'm looking forward to getting out and about this year!

Oh i saw those buggy type things at the beach last year! they looked great! Not least because you can pop a little one in if they get tired.

(oops, not last year. 2019. has it been that long! :( )

[lachy]

@CalamariInCrisis that's the other reason to get one!!

[CalamariInCrisis]

They are much more reasonably priced than i imagined! thank you for the link! [checks bank balance]

[BikeRunSki]

@lachy

I've thought about getting one of these for days out. Would definitely get a picnic, blanket and all the other assorted crap we need in there!

I always take a portable potty, change of clothes, sun shade, but as we're generally out all day it saves a lot of hassle.

We also have a decent rucksack with ice walls - it keeps everything really chilled. I tend to freeze bottles of water and stick them in a cool bag too.

Sun cream, baby wipes, jumpers, trainers, couple of bags (one for recycling, other one for rubbish)

I'm looking forward to getting out and about this year!

My friend had one of these when her dc were smaller It was amazing. She grew up in Canada, aposrevtky they are very widely used there.

My top tip would to skyways take a picnic, then you never have to wait for food. Use frozen cartons of juice as ice blocks.

[1AngelicFruitCake]

Love all the ideas thank you! I’ve seen those carts before and would love one 😊

My tips (mainly got from Mumsnet)
Take frozen drinks in a cool bag/box and have money set aside for a trip to a nearby cafe/ice cream man for the lovely cold drinks for the way home.
Have a blanket permanently in the back of the car for cosying up on the way home.
Take children’s pyjamas to change into if you’re going to be late home (my children love this!)

[CalamariInCrisis]

oh the pyjama tip is inspired!

[1AngelicFruitCake]

@CalamariInCrisis

oh the pyjama tip is inspired!

My children loved it! I brought a teddy as well so they settled down and it meant a peaceful drive home for us!

[suzuki650]

Robin hill is great (live 5 min drive away) & can't wait for it to reopen. It is expensive to get in though they do a 7 day return. I think it's worth it then (we get season passes which are good value) take a picnic in though as if you're there all day the foods expensive & not many options. If you're on the iow then I'd also recommend tapnell farm or any of the beaches for a day out. I keep a spare set of everything for my son in the boot along with first aid kit,portable urinal, lol roll, wipes, travel towels, sick bags, bottled water all in a big bag. It's been invaluable on days out when he's fallen in a puddle or something. Can't wait to go out again!

[CalamariInCrisis]

Great advice thanks!

[1AngelicFruitCake]

All these posts have got me excited! Thank you for your ideas. So nice to plan! I’m currently looking for a new beach mat as well...obviously a lot of wishful thinking going on!

[CalamariInCrisis]

I would love to check in regularly this year and hopefully to compare notes about lovely days out. :)

[1AngelicFruitCake]

Great idea 😊 I’ve had a lovely time tonight just googling new days out and also things I can buy 😊

[confusedofengland]

We always keep a summer kit in the car - picnic blanket, buckets & spades, spare clothes & rain coats. You never know when you might need it & we have a massive boot!

[lachy]

If you have "The Range" nearby they are stocking shelves with camping/picnic gear.

We bought loads of stuff there last year and the quality is great.

There's also a good page on Facebook "Free time with the kids" The author is really honest.

We're members of the National Trust and are lucky that there are lots of places nearby. The benefit is that they tend to have plentiful toilets, good facilities and most importantly cafés with ice cream!