What’s in My Toddler Backpack? Dad’s Must-Have Essentials for Days Out
Leaving the house with a toddler feels like prepping for a mini expedition. Here’s what I actually pack (not what Instagram says you need).
A bag pack to carry everything is a great start.
At least 2 sets of clothes (if your toddler has just started using the toilet, this is a must, accidents happen).
Baby wipes clean up everything!
Drink cup and bottle of water.
Toy of Childs choice, this sometimes turns into 2 or 3…
Hand sanitiser.
Tissues.
Wet suit & Wellies (dependent on weather)
Sunglasses, sun hat & suncream (dependent on weather)
Snacks
Dads Necessities:
Phone Charger
Snacks (we have to eat too!)
Water
Coffee Flask
And that’s pretty much it! Most of these items can be left in the bag for the next outing so it isn’t as daunting of a task each time.
And you may ask, “do you I really need all these items to go out with?” well…
What would happen if:
You step outside and—boom—crocodile.
Don’t ask. Just accept it.
Luckily… backpack.
You leg it and hit a puddle the size of a swimming pool.
Out come the wet suit & wellies—for the toddler.
You? Not packed. Enjoy being soaked.
Toddler’s exhausted from the 12-second sprint.
“Snack.”
You hand them over, crisis averted.
Then—“I’VE SPILT MY DRINK!”
No drink in sight.
Doesn’t matter. Baby wipes deployed and something gets cleaned.
“I need a wee.”
Of course you do.
Spare clothes—on like an F1 pit stop.
Sun suddenly appears. Laws of nature don’t apply here.
Sunglasses. Sun hat. Suncream.
Toddler now looks like a celebrity on holiday.
Then—meltdown.
No reason. Possibly crocodile-related trauma.
You offer the toy… which becomes three toys. Naturally.
You’re fading. Fast.
Coffee flask—lukewarm. Still drink it like a broken man.
Hands sticky. Life messy.
Hello, hand sanitiser.
Toddler sneezes into the abyss.
Tissues.
Check the time—phone dead. Obviously.
Phone charger like a lifeline.
At this point, you’ve used everything…
except your own snacks, which you eat in secretly ion the front seat of the car.
You finally make it home.
Drop the bag, take a deep breath and think: You can’t go wrong with this list, even if you’re not planning to fight a crocodile.
- Dad
