We have a gorgeous park here in the town I live in. It has a man made lake (stocked with fish!) complete with a walking trail all the way around it and a beautiful water fountain at one end. It also includes two water slides with a sandy beach area, a fun spray park for the kids and plenty of soccer fields.
We like to hang out there whenever we can as it is so beautiful and fun. This year they are even adding a huge playground for the kids. It really is fantastic and we feel blessed to have such a place here so close to where we live.
new playground almost complete 2013
splash park
So with all that fun to be had I make it a priority to keep a bag stocked and ready to go in the back of my van so we can go at a moments notice if we want. Sometimes that might be in the middle of some errands we are running or for a spontaneous picnic lunch. You never know when the opportunity will arise!
Remember awhile ago when I posted about my fun Thirty-One bag finds at the dollar store? Well one of those bags was perfect for this purpose especially with all the pockets around the outside to hold stuff.
The inside of my beach bag tote includes some towels for everyone and swim trunks. The outside pockets hold snacks, wipes and a mini first aid kit. The other side holds bug spray and sun protection spray. The two side mesh pockets hold water in case anyone gets a little thirsty.
I love that we are prepared now for some spontaneous fun…ha! Can it still be called spontaneous if you are prepared? I think so!
Do you keep a bag stocked in your vehicle for some prepared spontaneous fun? 🙂
Linking up: Design Dining and Diapers
Crystal says
I used to keep a bag ready, but now that my girls areteenagers, I don’t have to. I went searching all our local Dollar Trees when you posted a while back about the bags. Unfortunately, none of them had them 🙁 Great park and splash park. Wish we would have had those when my girls were little. Enjoy them!!
Tara says
A good tip or item to add to any beach bag….baby powder! Works great for cleaning off the sand 🙂
Elizabeth says
My rule is if you can’t carry it, it can’t come along. My boys are 6 & 9 and they have their own string backpacks which they keep packed for the beach or pool. I have a bag that I keep packed for myself, my husband, and the baby. Makes getting out of the house so much faster!
Cara says
When we lived by the lake, and the kids were little, I always had a bag stocked with bathing suits, towels, etc and my trunk had sand toys and beach chairs. Now that the kids are older, we don’t really have the time to just pick up and go. We are ruled by their actions. When we do go anywhere, they pack and carry all their own stuff. If they forget it, it’s not my fault.
Pam A. says
Instead I have an emergency kit in our van, kept in a medium sized plastic tote. Included are emergency supplies, card games and note pads for the kids, jumper cables, and after being stuck overnight for 14 hours in the snow with the family, I now add during winter a backpack with fleece blankets and telescoping shovel.
Dee says
I always had to keep an extra pair of flip flops in my car, from the dollar store of course, because my boys were always jumping in the car barefoot and we would get somewhere and I would have to say,”Where are your shoes?” It was crazy. I also always kept a baseball cap for all three boys in the car in case they forgot theirs or the sun came out at the park or beach, we lived in “fog land.”
Becky Lowmaster says
Well I don’t have children any more to take with me on errands. The months past I would have a sweater or coat with me since weather was unpredictable. One Sat afternoon, I was coming back from Portland. There’s an exit that goes west towards the beach. I really considered going. I had a sweater, waterbottle and my camera, all the things I need. But it didn’t, even though I thought it would be fun since it’s not that far a drive. Maybe I’ll do that one day. The man can cook at home. 😛
Erin says
Thanks for the great tip about the 31 totes Laura! I’ve picked two of them up for myself at Dollarama and I’ve been using them like crazy this summer. I like to keep one right at the back door with bug/sun protection, wipes, jackets, etc. so it’s always handy to grab and head to the park or wherever. It’s great to have a handy place to stash all the extra stuff we seem to need when enjoying time outside. Gotta love planned spontaneity!
Connie says
Where can I purchase a bag with the outside pockets fOr the beach I love the pattern u have
Laura Wittmann says
These bags are from Thirty-One. Check their website for a consultant near you 🙂