Long Beach Moms Guide: Hit Up the Playground Like a Pro
Playgrounds are the perfect locations for getting wiggles out, visiting with friends, and changing a grumpy day into a sunny one in no time. Luckily, our city has loads of fun and exciting playgrounds to visit with our littles.
But how many of us have had to cut short a fun outing because we forgot something essential? How do you know what to prepare so that you don’t feel frazzled before even leaving the house? Grab the items on our list of 5 playground essentials below to ensure you have the tools to help you tackle the most common playground mishaps.
Top 5 Playground Essentials:
1. Water and Snacks
You know it’s going to happen. The second you leave the house, the kids are hungry and thirsty. Chances are you already typically come prepared with water and a snack, but with the durable and eco-friendly Klean Kanteen Kids and a healthy, low-packaging snack like these Mini Fruit Bars, both you and the kids will easily stay happy, full, and good to run around.
2. Sunscreen
Mineral, spray, roll-on? There are a ton of choices when it comes to sunscreen, and it can become overwhelming. The most important thing, though, is to pick one and use it, on both you and the kids. Click here for some stellar sunscreen options curated by fellow Long Beach Moms.
3. Sanitizer
Let’s face it…playgrounds are fun, but they can also be a little grimy. That’s no problem if you bring along some sanitizer and/or sanitizing wipes. We like this foaming, alcohol-free version from Babyganics. It even comes in travel sizes so you can keep one in your purse, one in the car, one in the diaper bag, etc.
4. First Aid Kit
You don’t need to haul around a huge medical bag, but being prepared for a bump here and a bruise there is important. We all know how a super cool bandaid can soothe even the ouchiest scrape. This stylish and simple first aid kit is perfect to toss in your bag to tend to the next unexpected booboo.
5. Towel
You might be thinking, I’m not heading to the beach, why would I need a towel? But hear me out, towels are great for the playground. They can be used to wipe dew off of slides, dirt off of benches, and bird poop (ick) off of swings. They can even double as a cushion to sit on for snack time. This microfiber version is lightweight, quick drying, and packable.
That’s it! With these 5 essentials you’ll have what you need to venture out to your local playground, whether it’s one that you know well or one that is brand new. Be sure to check out our review of Channel View Playground below, and Whaley Park playground here, and watch for more to come.
