For us, summer often means long days spent outside. We have pool days and play dates, nature walks and and picnics. And many times, these activities are spur of the moment. To take full advantage of wherever the summer sun might lead us, I like to be prepared. One of the ways I do this is by packing our summer fun bag.
At the beginning of summer, I gather our supplies, toss them in a fun bag, and put them in the car. That way, no matter where we are or what we're doing, we are bound to have the things we need (and want!).
A summer fun kit should be tailored to the family that uses it, but I thought I'd share some of the things I've included in ours. There are many things that I consider staples of our summer and our bag, and a few things that I change out periodically.
Summer Fun Kit Must-Haves:
- Sunscreen- Nothing ruins a good time like a bad sunburn!
- First aid kit- Band-aids make cuts and scrapes tolerable and can salvage a play date that's been hampered by a fall. It's good to be prepared!
- Change of clothes- These don't have to be fancy! Just throw an old set of play clothes in the bag for those times they are just too wet or filthy to ride home as-is.
- Water shoes- I keep these in our bag for those times we find a stream or a creek to explore. Water shoes are cheaper and more compact than rubber boots, but still protect feet from rocks or any debris that might be hiding. Plus, I think of using rubber boots when you don't want to get wet, which isn't the case while exploring creeks in the summer.
- Towel- Useful to have for a variety of situations.
- A blanket- Great to have for picnics or just resting beneath a shade tree.
- Bubbles- Blowing bubbles is a great way to make new friends. Everybody loves bubbles.
- Sidewalk chalk- Great to have for when you need a break from the playground.
- Bug house- Perfect for those impromptu bug hunts and nature walks.
Summer Fun Kit Extras:
- Ring-toss game- This game is great for moving a play date into the shade on a hot day.
- Frisbee- We love the Glow-in-the-Dark Squidgie Disk. It's the perfect Frisbee for young kids! It's soft and flexible so it's easier to throw and to catch.
- Velcro-Mitts- A classic!
- Football- Play catch!
- Card game- Uno, Crazy Eights, etc.
- Coloring books and crayons- A lazy afternoon spent coloring sounds like a great way to pass the time.
This might seem like a lot, but aside from the blanket everything fits conveniently into one ordinary beach bag. It really allows us to be more spontaneous and even helps with planned events. When I know this summer fun kit is waiting for us in the car, all I need to do is pack a cooler with drinks and lunch.
What would you include in your summer fun kit?
{Did you find this post helpful? Don't miss out on any of the fun! You can subscribe for free or connect with me on Facebook.}
This post contains affiliate links. You can read more about my disclosure policy here.
