What to Pack for a Day Trip with a Child

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With the falling gas prices, we have been taking more day trips to explore the area around us.  It’s amazing to see and experience new activities whether they be historic, nature related, or touristy spots.  Our recent day trip to Natchez, Mississippi may have been all three.  The best part is spending time together as a family!

When it was just my husband and I we could have gotten away with just jumping in the car and taking off for the day, but now with S it takes a little bit of planning.  I have assembled a list of items that I make sure to have with us and throw everything into this large tote from Vera Bradley that I received as a gift.  I love that it has 10 pockets on the inside with two being waterproof and 4 pockets on the outside to help keep everything organized.  The bag usually stays in the car and holds a lot of in case items.

Day Trip Essentials

1. Change of clothes and shoes for child – I find if I do not pack a change of clothes that is the time that I need them.  If you are doing a lot of walking having an extra pair of shoes could be helpful if your child gets a blisters.  However, if your child is anything like S – water calls her name including mud puddles.  So we try to always have a pair of rain boots with us.
2. Jacket, scarf, hat and mittens – If the weather is cool.
3. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and sunhat – If the weather requires them.
4. Umbrella – This is something I keep in my car all the time.
5. Snacks and hand sanitizer – My daughter is more of a snacker and does not eat a lot at one time, so having snacks available for when she says “I’m hungry” is essential.  Plus hand sanitizer to wash hands before eating.
6. Water – We always bring a couple bottles of water with us.  I love these ones by Camelbak.  However, S has a Olaf one that’s her favorite.
7. Entertainment – Depending on the length of the car ride plus any time spent in a restaurant will determine how much entertainment you may need.  We usually pack books, coloring/activity books, Leappad, barbies or other small toys.
8. Camera, extra battery, extra memory cards and tripod – Always important to me!  The other day I was taking photos and then all of sudden my camera wouldn’t take any more and I looked down “out of memory”.  Oops, good thing I had an extra card in my bag.
9. Portable external battery charger and/or car charger – Helps to keep your phone charged during the day.  We tend to use our phone a lot for gps, photos, etc. while on the road.
10. Wet wipes, napkins and Kleenex – In case of dirty hands/face or clean ups.
11. First Aid Kit – I have one that I keep in the car at all times because you never know.
12. D Ring – I always have a couple D rings attached to my bag.  You can use them for so many things.  My favorite being to hang water bottles from a backpack or belt loop and to attach sandals to the outside of a bag.  

Do you have any day trip travel essentials that I may have missed?

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