Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Items I don’t leave the house without (young kids version)
30
items After running countless errands and eating out in all types of restaurants (from chains to holes in the wall) these are items that have come in handy time and time again to keep my kids (&myself) from melting down while we're out in public.
Sections
3
Babies
Toddlers - PreK
Kindergarteners
Babies
I have had 2 of these and could go on and on, but these are the essentials that I rely on in those early newborn and baby days that allow me to get out of the house.
Super portable, durable, and wipeable. This changing mat has gone through 2 kids, countless flights and trips to Disneyland. It’s not bulky, but still has enough padding that it’s not uncomfortable. Perfect for day trips and I even kept a spare onesi...
Skip Hop Pronto Signature Changing Station - Sage - Target
I love pampers pure and am lowkey sad it’s changing to pampers amore. It’s the only brand we’ve used for our kids. RIP but obviously just bring whatever diaper you like when traveling. Seems like a lot when they’re newborns, but you’ll figure out how...
For a day trip: bring 1 diaper for every 2-3 hours you’ll be out and then maybe 1 more for good measure.
In a world that wants to be beige, just get this toy for your car rides. I was worried about toys that were too stimulating and bright, but both my kids have loved this and it has helped us all get through many car rides. Also a great baby shower gif...
Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy: BPA-Free ... - Target
Honestly, Carters is underrated, their Little Planet line is 🔥 and so affordable, perfect for spare outfits when there’s a sudden blowout or spit up situation. Tip: maybe bring yourself a spare top too depending on how early you are in your newborn ...
Extra set of clothes that fit the season
I love these wet/dry bags and use them for a lot of different things. They can hold soiled clothes, snacks, pump parts, etc and are machine washable and durable. Any wet/dry bag would do but I just like the styles and prints that they have.
Wet/Dry Bags
Super helpful to help me feel confident when leaving the house with an infant. Takes some time to learn how to wrap appropriately but the more you practice the easier it is to get baby in from car seat to carrier
Baby Wrap Carrier for Newborns | Babywearing Wraps - Solly Baby
I personally love the apron style nursing cover, but try several and see what you like. No matter what, it can be used as a blanket or light cover for baby in a pinch. Truly a work horse item for me because being able to have some privacy and nurse b...
Nursing Covers for Breastfeeding - Target
Another staple, just keep a bunch on hand in diaper bags, in the car, in the house, you never know when you’ll need to whip one out. Consider a paci clip if your kid is a thrower but having multiple and access to a sink has worked well enough for my ...
Avent Soothie - Walmart
I have not personally done this, but one of my friends did this and I thought she was a genius. Depending on your kid or how new you are to parenting, consider placing a puppy pad under the baby in the stroller or just on the bottom of their car seat...
Puppy Pads Delivered Today: Dog & Puppy Pee Pads - Walmart.com
I used to use water wipes but love the grippy texture of the honest wipes. Buying wipes and diapers whenever target has a deal (i.e. all the time) is one of my favorite ways to save
The Honest Company Clean Concious Sensitive Skin Baby Wipes
I hated the feeling of being wet when nursing, so having several of these in my diaper bag or purse were helpful when nursing in public
Reusable Nipple Pads | Washable & Adhesive Nursing Pads - Target
Toddlers - PreK
If you remember anything from this section, remember that the key is to have a lot of snacks! Pick ones that you are comfortable giving to your kids any time of day to make life more bearable when out with toddlers.
Great for long day trips to nap on the go and when little feet get tired of walking. I often left it in the car for easy access whenever it was needed. My kids also enjoyed being back carried as they got bigger.
Baby Tula - Amazon.com
Another great option when little legs get tired if you don’t want to bring out a stroller, but obviously they can’t nap very easily or securely. My mom preferred this to a structured carrier when she ventured out with the kids because it was easier f...
Tushbaby Hip Carrier | Baby Carrier Seat for 0–3 Years
Another great snack option because of the fun texture. No added sugar and a bit easier for toddlers to handle compared to dried fruit. Just wish there was more per bag so that it would last longer
Freeze Dried Fruit | Strawberries, Blueberries & More - Target
Pick cars your kid is interested in and appropriate for their age range (larger plastic ones for younger kids, metal more realistic ones for older kids) sometimes my kids had fun just spinning the wheels. Such an open ended toy, easy to bring a few a...
Play Vehicles & Toy Cars - Walmart
Another great option from once upon a farm, if your kid is new to eating, they can spend a lot of time practicing their pincher grasp by picking these up and putting them in their mouth. A bowl or snack container is helpful, but pouring a few out on ...
Fruit & Veggie Puff Variety Pack, 18ct - Once Upon a Farm
Pouches! A work horse snack item. Once upon a farm pouches have to be refrigerated so perfect for a quick trip out or if you have an insulated bag handy, throw it in +/- an ice pack. These are fancy but I never hesitated to give my kid one because I ...
Shop All - Once Upon a Farm
My other go-to pouch snack. Shelf stable, easy to find, no added sugar. Another option I have absolutely no guilt about giving to my kid to get them from point A to point B
GoGo SqueeZ products at Target
Such an easy first (snack) food option for kids starting to eat solids. My kids enjoyed this through toddlerhood as a snack. Tip: each pack comes with two teethers so you could even split it between two kids if necessary.
Happy Baby Teethers - Walmart
Just get the crayons that restaurants give you and save them! The perfect size and free so no worries if they break or get lost. Toddlers are not going to care about the crayon quality at this age, they’ll just love scribbling on whatever they can fi...
Crayons - Target
Don’t overthink it, the majority of pages will likely not be colored in any meaningful way until they get older. You’ll be lucky if the scribbles vary in color in the early days. Packs that include stickers are nice too because what kid doesn’t love...
Coloring Books & Activity Books - Walmart
Kindergarteners
This is where it gets a bit harder but also sometimes easier to entertain your kid when out of the house. Snacks are still very helpful. Magnets, stickers, and simple games are hero items. Keep it all in a clear bag and leave it in the car. Check out...
These are my favorite bags to organize small toys and games and store them in the card. I’ve also used them to store non perishable snacks. Very durable and super easy and fast to see what’s inside each bag without having to open it up. So many sizes...
Mesh Zipper Pouch Bags - Amazon.com
This is the EXACT set we got. If your kid likes paw patrol, they’ll love the paw patrol version of these classic games. Cards are big enough and thick enough for little hands. We love to use the go pup pack to play memory matching as well.
PAW Patrol Playing Cards Value Pack - Walmart.com
Reusable stickers FTW. So many options to let their creative side run wild. Slightly harder to keep track of compared to magnets BUT fun for kids to put on windows as well, so good for car rides and airplanes too!
Stickers and Sticker Books for Kids | Melissa & Doug
As long as they’re old enough to not put small pieces in their mouth, these travel games have been some of our favorites. Even though my youngest doesn’t understand the concept of connect 4, she still enjoys putting the pieces to see cause and effect...
Travel Size Connect 4 Games: Compact & Fun - Target
Anything magnetic is great for the car or restaurants since it’s theoretically easier to keep track of loose pieces
Magnetic Games Travel - Walmart
A great item for that long wait between ordering food and getting it. Bring it out after ordering so you aren’t looking for dropped pieces or getting asked to help build something before even having a chance to look over the menu
Magnetic Travel Toys | STEM Building Sets for Kids - Target
My oldest is 5 and uno is a great starter game. Turn taking, numbers, colors, simple special rules, great for a group, the whole shebang. He’s starting to win rounds without help too 👀
Travel Uno: Compact Card Games for On-the-Go Fun - Target
A staple snack for my kids. Filling and easy to share. They keep well in the car as an emergency snack because there isn’t any chocolate or components that melt and get too messy
Nature's Bakery Fig Bar, Variety Pack, 2 oz, 40-count | Costco
Another great car stable snack with plenty of protein to keep little tummies full
Chomps Original Beef Sticks, Mild, 12 Individually Wrapped Sticks