Grocery Shopping Fun
Grocery Shopping = Fun (and educational)
A friend of mine recently updated her status on Facebook to say, “I survived the grocery store with all three kids.”
Her status prompted half a dozen other moms to reply with horror stories of shopping with infants, toddlers and children. I, too, have experienced horrifying trips, which led me on a journey to figure out how I could make shopping less of a chore, a whole lot more fun and maybe even educational (don’t tell the kids).
It’s All in the Timing
Regardless of how fun you make shopping, a tired, hungry cranky kid will be hard to shop with. Try to avoid shopping at naptime, mealtimes and during store’s busy hours: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and most weekends. Keep your trip short by looking at the ads before you go, making a list and dividing the list out by department.
Turn Your Children into Grocery “Helpers”
The best way to involve your child in shopping is at home. Have your children help you brainstorm dinner ideas, make grocery lists, clip coupons and check grocery ads. Older children can pick recipes and make a list of ingredients, while younger children can draw pictures of items that you need. Use the opportunity to talk about good nutrition and healthy meals.
Once you get to the store, younger grocery “helpers” can put stuff into the cart, count produce and help make simple choices (e.g., red or green grapes). Older shoppers can evaluate prices, weigh produce and calculate totals.
If you have multiple children, give each an important job. One child might be the “coupon monitor” while the other is the “shopping cart organizer.” Involving your children in planning and decision making will make your trip more enjoyable and educational.
Make it a Game
I spy: Have your child find the next item on the list by giving them clues (e.g., I need something red or something that goes on pasta).
Coupon Bingo: Give each of your children a few coupons for items you need. Once all items are in the cart, you have B-I-N-G-O.
What Will Weigh More?: Have your children guess which produce will weigh more, one watermelon or six apples, three potatoes or a cantaloupe.
The Alphabet Game: The first person finds an “A,” the next person finds a “B” and so on. You can either find the actual letters on labels, or have the children find items starting with the letter.
For Smaller Ones: Younger children can play simpler versions of the above games or identify letters and colors or count items as you put them in the cart.
Take Advantage of Freebies
Most grocery stores know that happy kids mean money-spending parents. Local stores give away everything from free balloons to cheese and fruit snacks (See Kid-Friendly Freebies).
Taking advantage of free treats can increase your child’s patience in the store or provide an incentive for kids to behave. My toddler knows that being “good” through the produce, deli and meat departments is rewarded by a cookie in the bakery.
Many stores have carts with cars or trucks attached to the front. Smaller children love to “drive” around the store. Many stores request that you don’t take these carts outside, so make sure your bagger puts your items in a regular cart at the register.
While your child will probably never choose grocery shopping over a playground or amusement park, shopping can be made a lot more enjoyable for everyone. Take the opportunity to make trips more fun and your children will learn valuable life skills. If possible, follow the shopping trip with a trip to the park, play area or favorite lunch spot when your children have been well-behaved and helpful.
Amber Hodgson lives in Lee’s Summit and has survived many trips to the store with her children.