Life with kids keeps us on our toes! But sometimes it is best to be more prepared than less. After years of being less than prepared – for my kids to sit in the one mud puddle, to fall in the creek or to eat more on this random Wednesday than they ate all last week – I have compiled a list of what to have in my car ALL SUMMER LONG to better prepare us to stay out late, to go for a spontaneous adventure and to keep my kids tummy’s full and skin shaded.

And because I know you are busy – the checklist is at the bottom to download.

Picnic blanket
Wet Wipes – you can never have enough
Hand sanitizer
Sunscreen – we keep a sunscreen stick for faces and a can to spray on
Bug spray
First Aid Kit – make sure you check that contents have not expired
Trash Bags – you never know when these will come in handy
Books – go to Goodwill – their kids’ books are (99¢) pick up a few to keep in your car.
Change of Clothes – if there is dirt or water, they will find it!
Hat
Light Jacket – summer evenings are some of the sweetest moments of memory making, let’s not miss out because we are cold
Towel – We have small pack towels from Sierra but any towels will do!
Snacks – things that can survive long hot days in the car think…
- Belvitas
- Goldfish
- Fruit bars
- Granola bars (sans chocolate chips)
- Pretzels
- Graham crackers
- Mixed nuts
- Freeze dried fruit
Water Bottles
Treats – when mom’s kiss doesn’t make the boo-boo better – a sweet treat may do the trick.
- Swedish fish
- Jellybeans
- Gummies