This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ergobaby.
We’ve been spending much of our days exploring the outdoors due to the recent quarantine that has kept us socially distancing. Luckily for us, we live at the Jersey shore and boardwalks, beaches, and trails are practically in our backyard.
With two toddlers, getting out of the house is the best medicine to reset our patience for the day. However, if you’re not packed with the right equipment and items, it may be even more stressful outside the house.
So when we venture out for walks, fresh air, or just a break from the monotony, it helps to be prepared. Here are some great tips and items that are necessary for a day trip with babies and toddlers.
1. Bring plenty of snacks and water
Keeping your child hydrated is always important, especially in the hot summer sun, but you may need food to keep them occupied and satisfied as well. Always have plenty of their favorite snacks and sippy cups for when they become thirsty and hungry- we all know that happens very frequently for toddlers!
2. Bring a lightweight, easy-to-fold stroller
Getting around town won’t be such a struggle if you have the right equipment. The Ergobaby Metro Compact City Stroller gives your baby an enjoyable ride while providing you with a convenient, lightweight solution for getting around.
With practically just a flip of your wrist, it folds up into a compact little package that’s easy to carry and weighs less than 15lbs. This is my absolute favorite thing about this stroller!
Often times, transporting a stroller can be a hassle when you have to fold and unfold multiple times during a trip. So whether you’re going in and out of your car, restaurants, shops, or attractions, it folds up in no time and can be easily carried along with you.
The Ergobaby Metro Stroller is small enough to fit in the footwell of your car, at your feet in a restaurant, and leaves plenty of room for other things when stored in your trunk.
The wheel bearings provide such a smooth push that even my 2 year old was able to easily push her little brother in it! The seat has plush padding that supports your child’s whole body and even has an adjustable leg rest and back so they can stretch out for a quick nap.
The Ergobaby Metro Stroller includes a durable aluminum frame to support a weight limit up to 50lbs, so even most 4-year-olds down to newborns can fit comfortably in it!
3. Sun and heat protection
Depending on your location, the summer heat can be brutal. Make sure you’re protecting your child from the sun by bringing a wide-brimmed hat, natural sunscreen, and stroller fan. When your child is sitting in their Ergobaby Metro Stroller, always be sure that the canopy is fully extended to provide maximum sun protection.
Apply sunscreen every 30 minutes to ensure that they get the most protection and dress them in lightweight, breathable clothing. Also, you may want to avoid the hours between 10 am – 2 pm as that is when the sun is the strongest. This works perfectly for our family because that is usually the kid’s naptime, so we love to venture out during the early morning or late afternoon.
4. Pack extras of the necessities
I’m sure you won’t forget to bring a stash of diapers and wipes, but remember to also bring extras of things that you may not have already thought of. For example, a mask (in current times), change of clothes, shoes, favorite books/toys, etc. Basically, anything that your child would miss if they lost or made a mess of.
5. Portable potty seat if potty training
If your child is potty training or even if they are already potty trained, you may not have time to make it to a restroom (or you may not want to use a public restroom) while your kid is crying to use the potty. Therefore, a portable potty has been such a lifesaver for us to let my daughter relieve herself right away.
6. Bring disposable items
I always carry disposable items with us to make clean up easy. If we’re stopping for lunch, I use disposable placemats and disposable bibs. In our potty, we use disposable liners so we don’t have to wash out the potty bucket. Of course, wipes and diapers are disposable, but make sure you keep small, scented trash bags with you to throw those out in. This also helps if you can’t get to a garbage can right away and don’t want to hold a stinky diaper with you for a while.
I hope these tips help you to get out and enjoy local attractions with your babies and toddlers. Remember, a day trip doesn’t have to be stressful with the right equipment and items.
This post was sponsored by Ergobaby, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
