Pushchair going soon-what do you carry all your under 5s essentials around in???? Need something huuuuge but don't want to look like a backpacker.

[MilaMae]

Nothing against backpackers but too old to look like I'm in my Gap year, want something big, with a nice girly/fun print. Needs to go on my back so I'm hands free to be able to hold dripping paintings and little hands.

Have 4 year old twins and a 3 year old so it needs to be able to accomodate 3 spare pants, 3 water bottles, 3 snacks, my purse and crap, wipes, in summer towels............ could go on but I'm sure you get the picture.

Was soooo excited at being pushchair free, thought I'd be skipping around with a trendy handbag but am starting to realise although the pushchair is going the assorted crap isn't.

Get the 4 year olds their own little backpacks to put all their crap in. Even the 3 year old could manage that, then you just need a handbag that fits your purse, phone and a pack of babywipes. In the summer when you need towels than you can get a nice summery beach bag.

good grief you take a lot of stuff with you

is this for a day trip or just everyday?

I usually have my purse and my keys

oh and why 3 spare pants?! Do they regularly all have accidents? I'd be inclined just to take one pair if you think they still need that.

I don't take anything except my handbag.

you mean this is for every day! I just assumed it was day trips the OP was on about. If you're just popping into town I'd seriously slim down. Take one drink that they can share.

That's not the pre-school run, it's park, shopping, beach trips,school holidays on my own. Have to take drink, snacks etc as costs me a fortune to buy 3 of each when out.

Liking the own backpack thing but I think I'll just end up holding them all when they're on the climbing frame, leaping about on beach etc.

Could go down to 1 pants(will have to be unisex) and 1 drink but in the holidays will need picnic stuff, tend to get them out as much as poss.

Seen any nice rucksacks???

When I read the title I thought, Well I just take a small drink and a travel pack of wipes in my handbag ...
Then I saw you have 3 Under 5s and I thought, "Ah".

I don't take spare knickers (DD has never had accidents) but I can see how 3 drink bottles and 3 snacks would be a bit of a strain.
Can you get a satchel type bag? That is what I travel with when I go overseas with my kids ...still a handbag but big enough for more than one drink bottle and my purse?
I would not carry towels with me all the time, rather have a separate beach bag permanently in the car ready packed with swimmerss/towels/sunscreen etc.

I have some nice karrimor rucksacks in varying sizes.

Seriously, get them their own, you don't have to be left holding them all at the park or beach, just put them down wherever you're sitting or where you can see them easily, and make sure they know that carrying it is their responsibility. I started this with DS when he was 3.

do you mean something like this
try tkmaxx
or a surfy type shop

Starting to realise cutting down on the crap maybe the key-it's my safety net, ready for anything me

So seen any of these nice satchel/rucksack things??? Everything I've seen is kahki or outdoorsy blue a la Millets.

oh and slim-line the snacks. One packet of oatcakes for them to share, one pot of raisins, or my favourite, some of these, you could get 6 in your handbag without even noticing!

another one

kids wear these to school in case that would put you off

OOOO exactly like that ggirl!!!!! Ideally a little less orange but the best I've seen. Hadn't thought of surfy shops or TK Max. Thanks!!!!

You need one of these - best thing is when the children are tired they can take turns to go in too.
Used to snigger at people with them till we had visitors over and were trekking around with 6 young uns to the pool, wild life park etc. Then borrowed one:

not for daily use but perfect for outings

Those fruit things are ideal and that blue one is nearly spot on-excited now Who'd have thought it'd come to this-excited over fruit snacks and a rucksack!!!!!!

more local

Those are cute (love the covered wagon)knowing my lot I'd turn round and they'd be hitching a lift!!!!!

I have actually seen a couple of those in use over here, must be catching on. DP would kill me though if I spent the pushchair money on another vehicle, he's already got the garage space ear marked!!!!!

I used to have a nice sachel type one from kipling. Beware the website is flash though.

I have a pink and grey karrimor too, got it from mountain warehouse. It's not at all hikery.

Thanks for that OMDY you're right about own rucksacks if I had my own purse etc in new trendy handbag, nobody is going to nick a kids rucksack. Want them to be independant so would be good. Will look at Karrimor/surfy shops for rucksacks to carry summer and picnic crap. Many thanks all

Well if you want to encourage independance rucksacks for them is the way to go! And you can get some absolutely gorgeous children's ones!

And it will be sooo liberating for you when you ditch the pushchair and don't have to carry mountains of stuff everywhere with you

get them their own backpacks and pack as light as possible. pick your self a backpack you like of what ever size you are willing to carry and you will have to pack with in those limits.