Tips for Fun Outings with Your Kids
Taking kids places is one of the best parts of parenting! It also can be one of the most stressful parts if you haven’t planned ahead. Just a few minutes of forethought can help make a fun outing even better!
Go When It’s Slow
Nobody likes a crowd! Make a quick call to your destination ahead of time to ask when their slowest times are. Aim to show up for that period and make the most of a calmer, more enjoyable environment. Mornings are often the slowest, but call to verify the best time.
Plan Around Naptime
As you are planning, remember that little ones still rely on their naps! Scheduling your outing around naptime will make for an all-around more pleasant experience. The best way to work fun into a nap schedule? Plan to leave for your adventure as soon as the kids get up in the morning or right after they finish their afternoon nap.
Photograph or Write Down What They Are Wearing
As closely as you watch your kids, you are wise to be prepared in case you get separated. Most people now have cameras in their phones that allow for a quick snapshot of what their kids are wearing that day. Don’t have a camera? Write down a detailed description of their clothing. If something happens, you won’t have to rack your memory. You will have info ready to refer back to immediately.
Pack Snacks
Never rely on snack access at your destination! Instead, pack non-messy foods and a water bottle or sippy cup for a snack break whenever you consider it a necessity. Hungry kids are grumpy kids, and snacks are an easy way to head off grumpiness before it starts.
Bring a Change of Clothes
The last thing you want to worry about during a fun outing is keeping clothes clean. Let the kids fully enjoy themselves and keep a change of clothes in the car just in case! An apple juice soaked shirt is no match for a prepared mama!
Go at Their Pace
Don’t forget that adults and kids travel at different paces. Go into your outing with the agenda of allowing your kids to enjoy the adventure at their own pace. Your frustration will be kept to a minimum if you mentally prepare NOT to see everything at your destination. Your kids will have more fun when they know that they won’t be dragged around and hurried on from their favorite parts. You always can come back and revisit the adventure again!
Plan Some Downtime
Don’t fill the day with too much. It’s better to have one really great adventure with the kids than to have two to three same-day adventures that feel stressful and rushed. Remember that enjoying family time together is the most important thing. The act of living life together is as much a memory as the outing itself.
Rebecca Ishum lives in South KC with her husband, Sean, and their 4-year-old quadruplets. They love “adventuring” and exploring local Kansas City destinations. With so many little kids, Rebecca tries to be prepared for anything and succeeds—most of the time! Read more about their family adventures at abeautifulruckus.com.