10 Tiny Things You Need if You Take Your Grandkids Anywhere
Going anywhere with young children requires patience and, in the words of Mad Eye Moody, constant vigilance. It also helps to have a few tricks in your bag. Though my grandchildren live in another state, if they are visiting me or I am visiting them, I make sure to add a few things to my bag. That way I can help keep them entertained if we get stuck in traffic. Or stave off a meltdown if we have to wait for our food at a restaurant. And of course, I want to be prepared for messes and boo-boos!
Not everyone likes to carry a giant bag most of the time, so I look for smaller things that can fit in an average-sized purse or pocket. Here are some of our favorite tiny necessities:
Finger puppets provide endless opportunities for creative entertainment. Keep a couple in your purse and you can whip up a puppet show at a moment’s notice. Use them to retell a favorite story or lead a sing-along. Or just practice animal noises! This set of adorable animals is perfect for the job. Get it now.
A Matchbox or Hot Wheels car can distract a child who needs something to do. No room to drive it around? Play a game of “where did I hide it?” and take turns guessing which hand it is in, or whose shirt it is hiding beneath. (Don’t hand one to a child who is likely to gnaw off a wheel and choke on it, however.) Your grands might like this cute assortment from the movie Cars.
Wikki Stix are ideal for keeping little hands busy. These wax coated sticks can be bent and manipulated to form all sorts of creations, and a small pack of them fits easily in almost any bag. They are great for small motor development, too! This assortment includes several small packages, so you can always have one available.
Click on the image to put these in your shopping cart.
Click on the image to put these in your shopping cart.
Pen and paper can entertain almost any age child. Remember those cool pens with different colors of ink? They are captivating even if you don’t use them to draw pictures! Keep one in your bag with a small notebook, and you’ll be able to draw funny faces, let them doodle in technicolor, or even make a list of things you want to do together later!
The sheer novelty of these animal flashlights can entertain a child for longer than you’d imagine. Again, these aren’t designed to be safe for small children without close supervision. Buy the set and keep one with you at all times!
When all else fails, it helps to have at least one age-appropriate app on your phone. My favorite ones are the simplest: straightforward puzzle games and painting apps without levels or rewards. Peek-a-zoo is delightful, and there are several painting apps (the availability changes so often I hesitate to recommend any specific one.)
Is your grandbaby too young for any of these? Keep a fun teething toy with you instead. One like this colorful carrot teether will divert them for at least a few minutes, if not more! See this one on Amazon.
In addition to things for entertaining I keep a few other items with me.
A small snack: I’ve usually got an airline packet of pretzels at the very least. Fruit leather and granola bars are also easy to carry around, but make sure whatever you’ve got is on the parents’ approved list.
Wet wipes: These need no explanation! I like this box of individually wrapped ones so I can always have one in my bag. The ones for sensitive skin are gentle enough for baby’s tender hands and face. Add these to your shopping cart, too!
Band-Aids: Because almost any injury is immediately resolved with the application of a Band-Aid, especially if it sports a favorite character. (In fact, I keep Band-Aids in my purse all the time, and even my adult children ask for one from time to time!)
What do you keep in your bag for your grandchildren?