What clever tricks do you have for packing for a day out with the kids?

[PirateWeasel]

Has anyone got any tried and tested techniques for making a day out with the kids as stress-free as possible in all winds and weathers? I'd love to not have to pack the kitchen sink into the car/rucksack/pushchair but at the moment it feels like that's just what has to happen

I'm a first-time mum so I need all the tips I can get, but my friend recommended

1. disposable bibs so you don't have to take your usual one home all covered in gunk
2. those waterproof all-in-one suits to protect against inevitable puddle splashing and falling over!

Any more...?

Keep a spare outfit inc pants and socks in carrier bag in the car for each DC so it's always there and you don't need to think about it on the day.

Other than that I can't really help- we took 2 bags on a trip to a NT property yesterday 🙈

I leave a rucksack in the boot of the car with nappies/bags/wipes/spare outfits in at all times so we can just leave without having to gather crap together

Oops cross post!! Good thinking cunning

If bottle feeding.. i used have powder formule in a little tub. Id boil the kettle and fill the bottles and then wrap them in foil to keep them warm. They were perfect come feeding time. I found this more effective than bottle warmers, bags and flasks. Took up less room too.

Yours sounds a bit small yet, but once dc was old enough, I kept buckets and spades in the car year round, plus spare underwear and old towels.

Don’t take stuff. There is no actual need for ninety percent of it. I live in a town, and there’s nothing I couldn’t technically stop and buy if there was an actual, true NEED for something. If there is no need for it, I’m not carrying it just in case.

If the dc is walking age, they can carry their own stuff in their own backpack.

Varies with the location, the individual child and age of child I found.
As soon as DS could walk, I always had to take a complete change of clothes for him - he would always find a puddle, stream, fountain etc to get in regardless of how closely I watched him! If we were in the car or going somewhere in the countryside or gardens etc wellies were a must.
Never had to bother with DD - she just needed lots of layers. As long as she was warm, she was happy.
Drinks and snacks saved a small fortune - not having to buy such things at National Trust/zoos etc.
I always had a small first aid kit too - small dab of savlon or a plaster for none-existent cut ensured child was happy to continue for the rest of the outing. Sometimes, it was even necessary - especially bite/sting relief.

When they're little, just a spare sleepsuit or leggings & t shirt in the bag, nothing more elaborate. Or whatever small all-in-one you have - rompers or just a UV suit in summer. A sealable box with a plaster, 2 Calpol sachets and paracetamol for you, always in the bag. Muslins and a bottle of water in the car for cleaning up sick. Otherwise travel light.

It's all just what works for you really. I never got on with those disposable bibs, they'd save the bit under the chin but food inevitably ended up on sleeves or trousers. We just packed a wipe-clean scoopy bib or a sleeved bib that really protects the clothes. We had a brilliant changing mat from a cloth nappy website that packed up tiny - it was just a layer of fabric and one of PUL - but still did the job and was far less bulky than the ones that tend to come in changing bags.

I agree mostly with ChanklyBore, especially in summer. In winter I think they can get too cold if they get wet so I like those waterproofs that pack away small. I take spare clothes occasionally but ones that fold up small and will more or less fit everyone so you only need to take one set.

Food is the most important thing imo, the art of the picnic was something I learned early on so that we could avoid the long queues for food. Even if I buy sandwiches I will stop off at a small supermarket and get them on the way to avoid waiting with small hungry children.

I also have a Swiss army pen knife with tweezers, hair file and scissors and a contigo coffee mug (I couldn’t give a shit if I look like a knob). If I’m really going for it I’ll take my folding chair so I can sit while they play.

I’m really good at travelling light! 6,4,3,1 yr olds.

1 and 3 yr old can wear same nappy (3 yr old is potty trained but odd accident so if I run out of spare pants, can use a nappy in a pinch.

1 pack if wipes for all. Handful of nappy bags for various bagging up.

1 set of spare clothes covers 6,4,3 yr old if needed. Usually grey tracksuit bottoms, and 1 long sleeve t-shirt.

Leggings, vest and top for spare for baby. Leggings fit the 3yr old as second ‘spare’ trousers.

2 pairs of spare pants for 6, 4 and most likely 3 yr old. I bring boy ones because they’d all wear them but 6 yr old would kick up about ‘girl’ pants. 😏

Hoodie for everyone. Coat for everyone. Blanket for baby.

Lunch, snacks, drink. Snacks must be easy to pass around the car.

Coffee in thermos cup for me and off we go!

Forgot socks! Always have 2 ‘universal’ pairs in my bag.

Muslins can do service as bibs, sun hats, extra layer, towel, changing mat.

If more than two dc in nappies bring the big size and pull tighter. Works fine.

When there’s a third left in wipes packet put it in your bag and open a new pack for home

Sachet of saline for the beach to take sand out of eyes.

Streamline your own belongings - house key, car key, card, cash, phone.

Decant sunblock into travel bottles.

Bottle of bubbles for on the go entertainment.

I had an enormous bag for dc1, but could take dc2 and dc1 out with a medium sized handbag.

One more: if I was feeding them, I’d whip off the outer top so that any splatters would be hidden under a respect table top until they got home.

These are brilliant, thank you, Experienced Mums! I love the one size fits all nappies idea, and taking the outer layer off for eating to cover up the splatters! Had a NT day out at the weekend and cocked it up massively so can't wait to put these ideas into practice! Keep em coming, I need all the help I can get

@Ingesw You've made me Google contigo mug and now I want one 😂

@Adeste Sachets of saline for sandy eyes, that's genius! Didn't even know they existed!

Three bibs for every outing, a Regatta puddlesuit (they’re cheap on eBay) and loads of rice cakes as well as a packed lunch / fruit - I cannot cope with hunger-induced meltdowns!

(And one bib on top of another for easier storage is also fine by me.)

I'm a nanny not a mum, but my tip is to take the absolute minimum. I look after 3 children - 5, 3 and 1. We went out to a stately home/park/farm type place last week and I took - two nappies, one pack of wipes, raincoats for everyone (can also use these as picnic blanket or to sit on if benches are wet), picnic food and snacks all wrapped in disposable packaging, so no empty boxes to carry around, bottle of tap water and three cups, coffee in a thermal mug for me, phone, credit card, pram, football and that's about it. I've always got a first aid kit in the car.

Yes, strip off to vest when eating. (Vest and nappy if it's a just weaned, self feeding baby!) Then if they spill their clean clothes are going back on top and they'll still look clean.

Individual juice/water bottles. If you've drunk your share, tough, you won't be drinking someone else's share.

When older, everyone carries their own water bottle, jumper and coat/waterproof in an appropriate backpack. (So adults can carry food and all the other junk).

If you are going to the beach, talc on the feet takes away sand . The talc dries your feet and makes it easier to brush the sand off.

YY on the minimal packaging. For family picnics we stop off at co-op and buy a 4 pack of rolls, and a pack of salami/ garlic roule /sliced cheese and a carton of cherry toms.

Disposable picnic packaging all the way. Decant a portion of raisins in to little bags, along with rice cakes and any other snacks. Saves money, time and space.

Don't take a huge bag, all you need is a folding change mat, nappy + bags, mini bum cream and a 1/3 full pack of wipes. It all folds up on itself and lightweight. Fits in to any medium sized handbag. I prefer a rucksack so I have both hands free.

Contigo mug - comes in a pack of two on Amazon. You must get these. Essential baby/new mummy product!! I'm very anxious with hot liquid and burns due to past experience as a child. These mugs allow me to drink tea and feel pretty care-free.

I also second a small meds bag, sachet of calpol, a plaster, some paracetamol for you etc. I have a roll of micropore tape. Can be used with a bit of tissue to make a plaster, but also just stick on any perceived scratch. Makes a great superhero band for days when extra strength is needed and all sorts of other reasons. Sticks birthday cards to presents too when you forget that one. And blisters! Put tape on heels before they get one, so much easier!!

Don't overpack.
I have a 5yo, 3yo and 1yo.

For baby: bag with wipes, nappies x 3, antibac gel and nappy bags on a roll.
A snack
Cup of water
Spare vest and pair of trousers
Muslin cloth

For kids:
Spare pants and trousers in the car
Bottle of water each
Satsuma each

For us all:
Money
Key
Phone
Tissues

Weather dependent:
Sun cream
Hats
Snoods

Job done.

Cultivate an attitude that children who aren’t filthy clearly aren’t having enough fun! This will help you sail through those times when they sit in a puddle or lose a shoe or fall face first in mud.

If possible bring a buggy! It’s a lifesaver when they get too tired to walk; if they are running off it’s a useful naughty step; you can dump all the stuff in it if everyone is walking nicely.

In the long term encourage dc to drink plain water rather than juice and it will save a fortune when out and about.