These are things that are useful and that may help keep any children entertained if you get held up, or are at an adult focused activity. In no particular order they are:
(1). Tissues - Use a combination of little travel packs and great big handfuls from the box at home. You can never have too many.
(2). Band aids - The healing power of a band aid is truly amazing! If you have a particular accident prone week especially then you will wish greatly that you have some in the bag! The crying time can be dramatically reduced with your kids if you can place a band aid on the injury.
(3) Pencils and paper -Have a small pencil case, complete with pencils, rubber erasers, a pencil sharpener and some homemade recycled note pads, in the bag at all times. This can be particularly useful if you are catching up with someone, or at a resteraunt for dinner. Smaller children will often draw quietly (for a while at least), so you can enjoy a bite of your meal or a few minutes of quiet.
(4). A pack of cards - It is great to be able to pull the pack out and have a game if you are are stuck waiting somewhere. Comes in handy for slightly older kids that may need some distracting.
(5). Hair ties - Sometimes when we you out, a girls hair starts falling into her face and distracting her, so it is handy to have a couple stashed in the bag.
(6). A couple of matchbox cars - Boys are often in love with cars, so have some in the bag which can be used in emergencies for entertainment or distraction purposes.
(7). Plastic shopping bags - Keep a couple knotted and slipped into a side pocket. They are useful for many different things including putting dirty/wet clothes in and for trash if you are in a park which has a “carry in-carry out” policy.
(8). Sunscreen - The children should put on sunscreen in the morning, but with the hot sun, it often needs to be reapplied regularly. Keep a small tube (contained within a zip-lock bag, in case of leakage) in a pocket of the bag.
(9). Coins - After too many experiences of not having change for parking meters or for merry-go-rounds, stash away some coins in a very old film canister or a plastic baggie. It is great to have back up supplies if there is none in the wallet.
(10). Safety Pin - A very simple but helpful tool in many situations. Use it to hold together a dress strap and to rethread and hold together broken elastic in shorts.
(11). Snacks - Ones that don’t perish i.e. a box of animal crakers, or dried fruit … just in case you get caught out somewhere.
(12). Antibacterial hand gel - Great for when you have to change dirty nappies or if there isn't any soap in a public restroom.
(13). Wet Naps - Great for sticky hand and faces when a restroom is not available or is too dirty to use.
What do you keep in your everyday bag?
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