Living Legacy: Packing For Simple Day Trips With Kids

I’m not sure why, but I am madly in love with my kids these days. Sure, sure. I love my kids all the time, but lately, with all the exploring and adventures we’ve had, I’m just in awe of them. We’ve always enjoyed travel – especially road trips – but simple day trips with kids to explore your local surroundings has been my most favorite thing to do recently. Something about them working together as a team, helping their mama along or just sitting in nature’s beauty alone with my babies, but the simplest of day trips with my kids has proven to be the best moments these days.

As a Walmart Mom, I was asked to share how we pack for these simple day trips. I had to stop and think about that for a moment, because other than a good attitude, I don’t believe in over packing and being weighed down by stuff you might need. Sometimes we just throw a few things in the car and GO! However, there are a few tips that I think every adventurous legacy mom needs in order to be prepared for stuff that would wreak havoc on your good time.

Exploring California with Day Trips

While you don’t need a ton of stuff to have a good time on a day trip, there are a few things to keep in mind as you head out to explore California – or any area – on a day trip.

1. A reliable car: I won’t leave my house if my car isn’t in good, working order. Especially when it’s just me and the kids, I don’t risk the chance of breaking down. Ever. Be safe on the road, legacy moms!

2. A small cooler: If I had to go into our garage every time I needed a cooler, our food would melt in the car. In fact, I don’t even use coolers exclusively for food. Take this awesome small cooler from Walmart, for example. I keep in the car, filled with whatever essentials we need on any given day. Things like diapers, change of clothes, extra diapers, extra super-hero (because every mom needs one of those right?). I love the size because it fits perfectly in the back seat, out of the kids’ way and my trunk space. It’s always filled with stuff the kids need (or don’t need), which helps keep my car littered with their stuff. If it doesn’t fit, it goes out of the car. It also has this great compartment that Alina keeps her markers in for landscape drawings as we’re driving.

When we’re packing a lunch for our day trip, I throw in a frozen ice pack and our food. Done!

3. A backpack: For day trips with the kids, or everyday errands, I am always hands free. I’m a hardcore backpack believer. But that needs a whole post all to itself 🙂

4. Safety stuff: Things like sunscreen, a safety kit and bug repellent should be staples of day trip kits. I was happy to see the selection of bug repellent at Walmart. We don’t use it a lot, but did so on our recent day trip to Abalone Cove Tide Pools. I was happy to be able to use a deet-free alternative.

5. Water! It doesn’t have to cold, but since you already have that small cooler in the car, might as well throw in an ice pack. Either way, don’t leave home for a day trip with kids without enough water to keep you all hydrated.