Summer outings look a little different these days, now that social distancing and face masks are a part of our normal “going out” routine. This also meant that we needed to update our Summer Grab & Go Bag. This bag has become a staple in our house over the years and I switch it up with the seasons: extra hat and gloves in the Winter, extra pair of pants or sweatshirt for cool Fall days, and so on. I was inspired by another blogger who shared her mom-hack for summer essentials and figured it was time for a blog post update to show you what our bag looks like now that the girls are a little older and we’re in the middle of a global pandemic.
what’s in the bag
The Bag // My Thirty-One bag from a few summers back is still going strong (you can find a similar version here.) It’s great because it has lots of compartments all the way around the outside of the bag for extra storage.
The Essentials // Sunscreen, bug spray, extra sunglasses for each kiddo, kleenex, nail clippers, hair ties, and a bottle of H20. The bare necessities are all there, and then some.
First Aid Kit // I upgraded my mini first aid kit this summer as we’ve had a few mosquito bites — this cute little bag was “free” from Target with the purchase of 3 first aid items (bandaids, Neosporin and Benadryl itch stopping cream for those pesky mosquito bites.)
Hand sanitizer // I used to keep a package of these Purell wipes on hand, but those are nearly impossible to find these days. Instead, I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer and refill it as needed.
Baby Wipes // This is one item I swear I will buy for the rest of my life. We’ve long since said goodbye to diapers but having baby wipes within reach is a MUST for cleaning up messes and sticky fingers after summer ice cream!
Disposable Coverings // Even though we’re out of the potty-training phase with my youngest she’s still learning the ropes when it comes to public restrooms. I keep a few of these disposable toilet seat covers in a wet/dry bag for those times when a seat cover isn’t available. One item I no longer keep in the bag but am re-considering given the current pandemic, are disposable placemats. I used to keep these in the bag and think they might be a good addition right now. You never know when you’ll need a clean spot to eat on so it’s probably a good idea to keep a couple on-hand, just in case.
Masks & Gloves // I keep an extra mask for each family member in a Ziploc baggie, along with a couple pairs of rubber gloves. This way if someone forgets a mask, or God forbid loses one, we have an extra on hand. Same thing with the gloves, you just never know when you might need to use them.
Snacks // Does this even require an explanation?! LOL. I repurposed an old nursing cooler and stuffed it with snacks — granola, goldfish, applesauce pouches. Basically, anything that won’t spoil and will keep my kiddos happy in a pinch.
Outdoor Blanket & Towel // I still keep my outdoor blanket and towel with us, but now that we have a new(er) car I keep them in the hidden trunk compartment so that I don’t have to use precious space in my Grab & Go. I can’t tell you how many times the towel has come in handy. Just this past weekend we took the kids canoeing and halfway there realized we packed everything BUT towels (womp, womp.) Luckily I had the extra towel already stored in the car! I even keep it there in the winter (think after a day of sledding on the hill – cold and wet!)
This bag has seriously eliminated the last-minute scramble as we’re trying to get out of the house, and we can rest assured that we never leave home without our masks and hand sanitizer!
What must-haves would you keep in a Grab & Go Bag?
