I don’t think there’s anything quite like a family day outdoors.
Kids laughing, sunshine, birds chirping, nobody whining, and parents being able to relax. Unfortunately, that’s usually not how it goes because reality is… Shall we say, different?
Honestly, I’d say that reality is the ultimate troll because something always gets messed up, no matter how much you plan.
Someone scrapes their knee in the first five minutes, and someone else starts with the “Moooom, I’m huuuungry” before you even find a place to sit.
Where are the belly laughs? Where’s the squirrel that crashes your lunch?
Let me tell you, you can’t make it all perfect. You can try, but all that will do is leave you exhausted because some things are simply out of your reach, and you don’t want to waste time on those.
What you can do, however, is pack well. A bag that’s packed with everything you need will keep you prepared for the unexpected. It’s sort of like a safety net.
It won’t make that squirrel come and cuddle, but it’ll let your kid climb another rock because you’ll know you have band-aids.
5 Essentials Every Family Needs to Pack
Here are the essentials that’ll make you feel like you’re a pro at parenting.
Snacks and Compact Meals
A hungry kid is a disaster in the making, so the first thing you need to pack is food. Forget about those sugary treats, though, because they’ll cause energy crashes. Pack whole-grain crackers, cheese sticks, proteins like nuts or turkey sticks, and fresh fruits and veggies that are full of water.
It’s also really important to portion these; otherwise, you’ll have to deal with messes and fights.
Get reusable containers to help you out with packaging.
Hydration
A lot of people forget to drink water, and then they’re surprised they’re always dizzy and have a headache. You want to have one reusable water bottle per person, plus one extra, just in case.
If it’s summer or you’re planning on doing something that’ll cause sweating, it’s never a bad idea to pack electrolytes (tablet, powder – it doesn’t matter). It’s super easy to mix them with water wherever you are and they’re ready for drinking in a minute or so.
Some people, we won’t name them (me) learned this the hard way. Regardless, electrolytes are a lifesaver when it comes to dehydration prevention.
First-Aid
You don’t want someone to get injured, nor are you planning on someone getting injured. I’ll go as far as saying that no one will get injured. With that being said – you need to be prepared if someone does.
If you have kids, you can’t go anywhere without a basic first-aid kit. Bring band-aids in different sizes, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, tweezers (for splinters), and pain pills.
Now, here’s something really important to remember – keep these at the top of your bag, not at the bottom. You want to be able to grab what you need within seconds, especially in an emergency.
Also, get into the habit of restocking this kit after every outing or trip.
Helmets and Visibility Gear
If you plan on using bikes or scooters, you’ll need a helmet for each person.
But safety should be on your mind even after the helmets are on. If there’s any chance whatsoever that you’ll be out near dusk or in shaded areas, get clip-on LED lights and reflective bands for clothes or backpacks. And before you head out, always check that the lights are fully charged.
You never know what can happen. I have a friend who planned a family bike ride to Schaumburg, only for the day to end in the ER because a random car that came out of nowhere ruined their day. If that were me, you best believe I’d be on the phone with a Schaumburg bicycle accident attorney to handle the aftermath, but do you know why that day was just scary and not tragic for my friend?
Because they were all wearing helmets.
Spare Clothes
Mud puddles are to kids what light is to moths.
They’re just drawn to them. Besides, the weather can change in an instant, so you always want spare clothes on hand anyway. You’ll need an extra shirt, pants, and socks for everyone because getting wet will run the entire day in a snap.
And even if it’s sunny and beautiful when you leave, bring a lightweight jacket or a rain poncho with you because you never know.
And here’s a pro-tip: pack each kid’s spare outfit into a separate zip bag to stay organized and to have a place to stash muddy clothes.
Conclusion
And that’s my secret recipe for a perfect day outdoors.
Okay, I don’t mean really perfect in that romantic comedy sense, but you know… Perfect enough.
Being prepared isn’t about being paranoid and thinking about all the things that can go wrong. It’s a way to give yourself the ability to say yes to more adventures, more mud puddles, that extra mile on the trail, and staying out for an hour longer to watch the sunset.
That’s the real magic, and it happens a lot easier if you have your trusty essentials by your side.