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A lot of our summer, we’re going out as a family on carefully planned trips and events. But some days, we totally change up our plans and go out for some super summer fun unexpectedly. That’s why I always keep a “grab and go summer fun” bag packed just in case we *need* to do something crazy and adventurous at the last minute. Besides, what is summer for if you’re not running off on spontaneous day trips?
Grab and Go Summer Fun Bag Must-Haves:
Sunscreen
One thing I always have with me is sunscreen. I prefer to use the waterproof stuff for beach trips. But if we’re not planning to get soaked, it can make my skin feel greasy and gooey. A friend recently recommended this Neutrogena® Sheer Zinc™ SPF 50 Lotion sunscreen and I am absolutely in love. I got mine at Target, where you can also get a 2oz. size of face lotion that is a perfect fit for your purse. When you choose sunscreen, make sure it’s got that UVA/UVB sun protection, also called broad spectrum. This Neutrogena Sheer Zinc has just that, plus it’s gentle on sensitive skin. They call it “sheer zinc” because it’s made with naturally-sourced zinc oxide. That sounds good for you skin, doesn’t it?
Snacks
I swear, my kids are bottomless pits. I’m baffled at how skinny they are when they’re constantly asking for snacks. My bag is stocked with kid-friendly snacks like crackers, granola bars, and those fruit pouch squeezie thingies.
Towels
We rarely have unplanned beach trips, but we have had plenty of outings that resulted in soaking wet kiddos.
We took a last-minute road trip last summer that had us at Lake Tahoe at one point. One stop was at grandpa’s place, in the wide open countryside of Modoc county. When you’re hanging out creekside in the middle of nowhere, it’s nice to have a towel handy.
Water
Hydration is important, especially on those hot summer days. We usually leave the house with a water bottle or two, but it’s always a good idea to have one stashed in the grab and go summer fun bag for when those run out. And speaking of water, did you know that Neutrogena Sheer Zinc is also sweat and water resistant for 80 minutes? That’s almost how much time I have in between the demands for more snacks coming from my 3 littles!
Book or Magazine
Wishful thinking, I know, But there’s always the off chance that the kids will be grossly entertained by something that doesn’t require mom’s help every second. Last summer I was into home and garden type magazines. This year I’m reading a book on how to start using my “big girl panties” and stop being such a weenie. True story. 😉
Diapers
This one may not apply to all moms, but we are still in the diaper phase, although hopefully not for much longer! I tuck a few extra diapers in my summer fun bag in case for whatever reason our adventures outlast the diapers I’ve already got in the car, my purse, in the stroller basket… 😉
Tips for Prepping your Grab and Go Summer Fun Bag
The great thing about having a ready-to-go bag for spontaneous day trips is that doing a little advanced planning actually saves you time and money. You’ll have more time to spend having fun family adventures when you have all your stuff packed and ready to go. Plus, vending machines and tourist spots can charge ridiculous prices for snacks and drinks. There is a special deal that works either in store and online, where you get a $5 Target GiftCard when you buy $15 of sun care – so I did! 😉
This meant the kids’ snacks I got were practically free. This only worked because I got a special deal for buying the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc™, which is fine with me because I was going to buy it anyway! I actually wear it on top of my makeup and I seriously can’t tell it’s even there.
I use sunscreen all year long because it’s always sunny in Southern California and I like the SPF 50 to combat the strong Cali sinshine. Where you’re living, would Neutrogena Sheer Zinc SPF 30 or SPF 50 be your SPF of choice?
