Taking your toddler anywhere can be a challenge. You’ve got to consider whether there’s somewhere to change their diaper, how long you’ll be out for, and whether or not your toddler will be in a good mood. Taking a tantrum-throwing child to a restaurant is every parent’s worst nightmare! To ensure time spend in public is fun for both of you, here are five tips for hassle-free outings with your toddler.
- Bring the Right Equipment
When you have a young kid, a short shopping trip can no longer just involve your wallet and phone. Now, you have a long list of items you must make sure are in your bag before venturing out anywhere. Some items you should never forget include:
- Toys
- Diapers and baby wipes
- A change of clothes
- Snacks
There are other items you might want to bring, too. If you’re going to a restaurant with your small toddler, for example, you might consider bringing a food tray for babies – EasyTots have an excellent range. That way, your child can eat with the grown-ups without getting food everywhere!
- Choose Places with Kid-Friendly Activities
If you feel you must get out of the house this weekend, choose somewhere that accommodates kids, like a playground or a kid-friendly café. It’ll make your kid happy, which, in turn, makes you happy, as you won’t have to deal with toddler boredom. You should avoid some places – the cinema is usually a no-go in the early years, and no toddler really belongs in a posh restaurant. After all, they’re usually content with veggies and some fries!
- Have a Hearty Breakfast
A hungry child is a moody child, so avoid furrowed brows and stomped feet by cooking up a hearty breakfast before you set off. That doesn’t mean you should forget the snacks, though – it’s incredible how much a small person can eat! Remember, kids aren’t like adults, so don’t go easy on the breakfast just because you’re planning on finding somewhere to eat while you’re out.
- Choose Quiet Times
It’s difficult to maneuver busy streets and attractions while looking after your toddler. If you’re taking a shopping trip into town, choose to go during the week before most people finish work or school. That way, you can peruse the shops without bumping into multiple people, and your little one is less likely to get hot and bothered. Plus, it’s safer, as children are easily lost in crowds.
- Research Where You’re Going in Advance
Researching where you’re going is a great habit to get into as a parent. Luckily, google reviews help tremendously with this, as you’ll often be able to see if a place is kid-friendly and whether or not it has a bathroom available. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of a park with nowhere to change your toddler’s diaper, after all.
Taking a toddler somewhere always poses risks, but by being better prepared, you increase the chances of the outing being hassle-free.