Summer is here and it’s time to get the kids outside! This is our first summer living in Illinois and there’s so many different parks, splash pads, city pools, and other attractions that we want to visit. Often, we don’t even know what we’ll come across as we explore the area. I want to be prepared for anything and everything we could do in a day.
I’m working on being more spontaneous and getting the kids out of the house more often. And I never want to tell my kids that we can’t stop at the splash pad (or whatever else) because mom wasn’t prepared for the situation. So, I put this kit together so that I’m prepared for just about anything summer with two littles can throw at me.
I put this kit together keeping this in mind. I also always have my diaper bag with me and I always keep some other useful stuff in my car. But this kit has those extra things that you definitely won’t need on a daily basis, but would be sad to be without if the situation were to arise.
This kit is actually pretty small in size. Somehow, I fit everything into this 18 qt storage bin. (I love these bins because you’ll never be smushing things down with the lid.) It fits perfectly behind the front seats which is where I keep it.
What to put in the summer car kit:
First aid kit — I already have first aid things in my glove box and diaper bag, but it never hurts to have more.
Sunscreen — Important all year round, but especially during the summer. I make sure to have some that’s waterproof and some specifically for our baby.
Bug spray — My favorite for the kids is the more natural bug spray that is deet-free and made of lemon and eucalyptus oils.
Travel potty — We’re in the thick of potty training our son, so this is a necessity. When he’s gotta go, there’s no time to find a bathroom. We pull over or run to the trunk to set it up for him back there.
Diapers and wipes — Always have extras stashed away.
Sanitizing wipes — I’ve got these everywhere, so I threw some in this kit as well.
Hair brush — Kid’s hair always gets crazy after playing outside. You should also include any other hair accessories your kids use like hair ties or headbands.
Stain remover wipes — I got these as a free sample one time and I’ve loved them since. They work so much better than any other on-the-go stain solutions.
Change of clothes — Clothes get wet and dirty all year round but especially during the summer when we’re outside more. I keep a full set for each kid including a shirt, shorts, socks, underwear, and a light jacket for cool summer nights. I put these in a ziploc so they stay dry and compact.
Swimsuits — I like to have ones that include a rash guard for sun protection.
Water shoes — We buy inexpensive ones that stay in the car.
Towels — I love this two pack from Target. You can also get some travel towels that are super compact if you’re trying to save room.
Snacks — I make sure these are things that won’t melt in the car. My staples are Annie’s crackers and applesauce pouches.
Blanket — For picnics or to set up a shady spot for Addie while Leo plays at the park or splash pad. This doesn’t fit in the box, but it’s worth mentioning.
Plastic bags — For any trash, dirty clothes, or to use with the travel potty. I always keep like 10 of these in the car. I just put an extra hair tie around them to keep them compact.
I’m actually going to keep this bin in my car year round, but the above list is specific to what’s in there for the summer months. I’ll definitely reevaluate things when the weather starts to cool down.
What would you keep in your summer car kit? What about if you have older kids? Let me know!
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