The weather is warm, the sun is bright and it’s time for summer! Summer brings a more laid back attitude, a shift in schedules, and sometimes moments where we find ourselves asking “So what do we do now?” This rings especially true when waiting at a kid’s sporting practice or traveling between two places with an hour to kill.

Whether your kids are 2 or 10, keep yourself prepared with a summer car kit. Simplicity and some old school thinking can go a long way. By having something on hand, it’s less planning before leaving the house and prepares you for plenty of summer fun no matter where you are!

Ideas for a summer car kit:

• Small box of chalk - anyone can enjoy creating art, and chalk can be drawn almost anywhere!
• Container of bubbles - Whether your kids are enjoying chasing or blowing, this is almost always a crowd favorite
• A small ball - roll it, kick it, toss it, throw it. The possibilities are endless.
• A pack of colored pencils (or crayons) and a coloring book/paper - Stuck inside? Always a tried and true back up (even for little boys who don’t like to sit still)
• Fruit leather - an emergency snack can make or break a car ride when your kids are hangry. Fruit leather can handle the summer heat when left in the car for days on end.
• Deck of cards - War? Go Fish? Crazy Eights, anyone?
• First aid kit - Stuff happens. Sometimes bandaids just make everything better.
• Change of clothes for each kid - Summer fun can be messy. Riding home with a kid covered in mud means car cleaning too…I think we can all pass on that!
• Beach towel - You need something to get that mud off 😊
• Bottled water - Hydration is super important.

A little preparation can lead to opportunities for more fun! Live it up, mamas, and make this summer great!