I’m getting ready for summer with a summer survival kit!
Summer for moms hits a bit differently than it did as a child.
While memories of summer camp, the beach, sprinklers, ice pops, ice cream, and a lot of fun activities (where did my mother get her energy from?) as an adult, I cringe a bit when I think of all those same activities.
Summer is great, but there is so much free time and mess! I find it overwhelming to get everything organized and clean while everyone is on a relaxing schedule.
You will win half the battle by preparing in advance. A summer of fun is only possible when mom and dad are relaxed and taken care of as well!
These items are what I am putting and getting for my summer survival kit!
My Summer Survival Kit
Ayla Vacuum
I just got an Ayla &Co Vacuum (Full Disclosure: I got it for free), and I love it!
The Ayla & Co. vacuum is a must-have for summer vacations and traveling! Cleaning up after spills and messes is part of life. That doesn’t mean you have to resort to a shop vac or heavy vacuum to get the job done. How about using a lightweight cordless one that looks like a chic water bottle and easily fits in your bag?
It’s a parent’s lifesaver designed by parents to make life easier. It takes the mess, and the chaos, out of everyday events for a quick cleanup wherever it happens.
I tossed it into the car and have already used it more times than I can count. From cheerios to sand to dirt, it will keep your car from getting way too dirty.
After those lovely beach days, you can also use it on your couch or chairs.
PFD Neoprene Tote Bag
Folks, I have this bag in black and pink and I LOVE IT! First of all, it’s really cool looking (I even got comments from some teenagers which made this millennial mom super happy!), and it is HUGE. The inside is so roomy so I can fit snacks, towels, water bottles, and every other random thing that I tote around. It snaps shut and is waterproof! It wipes down easily and is perfect for summer. I also really like the strap because it is heavy and long enough for me to swing over my shoulder when I am in and out of the car.
Get Your PFD Neoprene Tote Bag Now!
Beach Towels
I love to stock up on beach towels. I like to go to either Walmart or stores like Ross, Marshalls, and Tj Maxx and find whatever cute towels are the cheapest and buy a lot. I need tons of towels for swimming, beach, showers, sitting outside, and cleaning up messes. I also like to keep a bunch in the car just in case we make an unauthorized sprinkler stop.
Water Bottles
Kids and adults need to stay hydrated. I like to buy water bottles with a spout- I find they have fewer spills- and that have a handle. This way, I can hook it onto my Mommy Hooks (see below), or the kids can attach it to their bikes. I get a few extra to have on hand so that there is always water available for everyone.
Summer First Aid Kit
You need a summer “first aid kit” in your home. I grab a Sterilite container and fill it with: Band-Aids, Neosporin, aloe vera gel (great for sunburns), sunscreen, bug spray, afterbite, and calamine lotion spray. I keep it in an accessible place so that one long day doesn’t derail your whole summer.
Mommy Hook
I love my mommy hook! These cheap hooks go on my stroller and diaper bag, and I can hook anything I need onto the stroller. I use it for bags, my diaper bag, or water bottles. When I go inside, I just grab the hook and carry everything in all at once.
Mesh Bag
Mesh bags are fantastic to keep all the sand and dirt outside your house! After the beach, after the park, after an outdoor sprinkler session, simply place all your dirty shoes, toys, and towels in the bag. Then you can dump it outside and spray it down with a hose or wait for it to dry. This way, all the sand, and dirt stay out and don’t come home with you!
Plastic Laundry Basket
Have your kids ever gone in a sprinkler? When mine do it, they somehow end up covered in mud from head to toe. I like to put a laundry basket in my backyard for kids to throw their filthy stuff into right before going into the house. This way, I can hose it down before tossing it into the wash. I don’t have time to mop every day!
Spray Bottle
Spray bottles filled with water fulfill a dual purpose. First of all, they make for a great fun toy that isn’t as wet as a sprinkler or a hose. Little kids and babies will particularly enjoy being sprayed by a spray bottle rather than getting doused with a hose. Spray bottles are also great to bring along on beach and park trips. When sand gets into those little (or big eyes), then simply spray water to help you wash it out.
As summer approaches and I prepare my summer bucket list and all the fun things I want to do with kids outdoors I try to prepare myself as much as possible to get ready! These are the items I am putting in my summer survival kit this year.
