Day trips as a family are enormous fun, and perhaps more than anything, they are what childhood memories are made of. So it’s important to plan in advance to make the most of your day together. It’s not just a question of working out where to go and what to do when you get there, though; you also need to think carefully about what to take with you so that you are prepared for the day ahead. Here are some ideas; you don’t want to leave anything important behind.
Your Bag
First and foremost, no one wants to go on a day out with the family with lots of different bags, all containing a variety of items. It’s far better to pick one good, strong, durable bag that will last for a long time and fit in everything you need. One bag is much better than many and will make the day a lot easier to deal with.
The bag you choose needs to suit you if you’re the one carrying it. Not only does that mean what it looks like, but how it is worn too. Work out what is most comfortable, and you can more easily find a bag that will suit your needs. It should be big enough to carry everything required, but not so big that it gets in the way and is far too bulky.
Food And Drinks
Once you have chosen the right bag, you need to think about what to pack in it. Food and drink are a high priority, especially if you are going somewhere that doesn’t have anywhere to purchase bottled water and snacks, such as a walk through the forest or somewhere in the countryside.
Bottles of water are ideal, and for younger children, they will need their sippy cups too, which can be filled as you go rather than running the risk of having them leak over everything else in your bag. As for food, crackers and dried fruit or muesli bars are always a great idea – they can easily be stored and offer an energy boost when needed. Remember, these are only snacks, so you don’t have to take too many.
Spare Clothing
You won’t always need to take spare clothing with you on a day trip. It will depend on how old your children are (and whether accidents are likely to occur revolving around potty training or being messy with food) and where you are going. Some places, such as the beach, are going to require a change of clothes. Others might do if they are muddy or there are messy activities involved. Other places won’t require these spare clothes at all, assuming the child is old enough to manage without making a mess. Judge the day and the people coming with you, and then determine what spare clothes you might need to pack.
First Aid
It’s better to have packed a basic first aid kit and not need it than not to pack one and find it necessary. Items to pack in your first aid kit include:
- Sunscreen
- Band-Aids
- Antiseptic wipes
- Bandages
- Tissues
This should cover all minor injuries that your online first aid certification can help with, and if anything more is required, you may need to cut your day trip short and head to the emergency department to have a doctor fix the issue instead.
