5 Tips to become an adventure Mom
We all want to be fun moms, but sometimes life gets in the way. Let’s make it easier (and simpler) to say yes to adventure with kids! Check out 5 simple ways to be prepared for spontaneous adventures so you can say YES to adventure!
Always have a few beach towels in your car
Beach towels are the BEST! As a mom of young kids, I have one hanging on the back of my bathroom door (right off the kitchen) for all of those BIG messes kids make. Beach towels have so many other purposes too! If you already have them in your car, it’s easy to say yes to a spontaneous splash pad trip. Use them as a picnic blanket for a fun and spontaneous trip to the park! When the weather gets a little colder, they make great makeshift blankets in the car or if you forget jackets (or the weather changes on you) when it’s a little chillier outside. I try to stock at least one beach towel per kid in my car just in case. I have them folded up neatly in a bag in the back. You can even invest in quick dry towels which take up even less space!
Leave Buckets in the car
I mean, this might seem obvious, but buckets are toys that people can enjoy from ages 0-99. Buckets are great for so many things! Buckets are fun at the pool or splash pad, as vehicles to collect things like acorns or leaves, and are even great when you want to play in the snow. I keep 1-2 buckets with a few smaller scoops in my car at all times. This is also a great way to reuse easter baskets or Halloween buckets. That way, you don’t feel so bad when they break (which they always will) or get lost.
Bring Water Bottles Anytime you leave the house!
Growing up in the desert, we NEVER left the house without water bottles. It was a safety issue in that climate, but now it is ingrained in me. I usually do this in the morning even if we aren’t going anywhere just so that it is ready if we spontaneously decide to go on an adventure. It only takes 5 minutes and it’s a great chore for kids as part of their morning routine once they get older. Not only does having water for everyone reduce whining (always a goal for me!), but you save SO MUCH money (and the planet) by using reusable water bottles instead of buying drinks while you are out. Being prepared with water is such an easy way to say yes to spontaneous trips to the park or on outdoor adventures (or indoor trampoline parks in the winter). Always opt for stainless steel or glass bottles to avoid PFAS chemicals leeching into your water!
Always bring Snacks
This goes right along with water bottles. I get so annoyed and impatient when my kids start to whine and I will do almost anything in my power to reduce that. There is nothing worse than being 20 minutes from home and all of the kids are having meltdowns in the backseat. I usually like to pack fresh snacks in a lunch box daily, but if you really want to be ready for spontaneous adventures, have a stash of snacks (that won’t melt or freeze) in your car. Costco has some great nutrient-dense and individually packaged snacks you can use for this! Think outside of chips or goldfish to granola bars (or bites), applesauce, or peanut butter crackers (get that protein!).
car Potty
I don’t know how I would function without a potty in my car. I will also openly admit to using it on MORE than one occasion myself. In the words of my mother, “A flatter bladder is always better.” You can buy just a seat and pee on the ground, but my favorite potty is this one because it is all one piece:
Someone gave this to us as a hand me down so I don’t have a link, but I am sure you can find something similar online! If the kids have to poop (so gross when we don’t have a bathroom available), I stick a diaper in it and then wrap it up and dispose of it. If they just have to pee, it’s easy to dump in the nearest green space (grass, rocks, etc). I like this one more than the travel potty that snaps in place because I can set it up in my car and hold up a beach towel for some privacy (yet another great reason to have a beach towel in your car).
Check your mindset
Seize the day and all of that right? Okay, this is the hardest one because it isn’t a physical object right? It does take a shift in your mindset to be an adventure mom and allow yourself to say YES! You have to think positively, choose to enjoy your time with your kids, and choose when an adventure is appropriate. You are a person too and you should NOT say yes if you can’t handle it. I do find that spontaneous adventures take me out of my foul mood just as often as it resets my little ones. So many memories can be build on spontaneous adventures too. You can explore places you haven’t been before, and teach your children to appreciate the little things in life (that are mostly free).
If you read this far, check out my other posts that you might like:
Happy Adventuring!
