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Keep a stocked sports bag at the ready

in: Organizing Time & Space, Travel & Outings

From Jill:

I have a "Kids Sports Bag" which has everything from the equipment needed for the current sport to bandaids and sunglasses. We used to add things as the season went on but now we just keep it stocked. My son helped me write out a list to be sure it was stocked. Right now it has:

1. shirt
2. pants
3. socks
4. cleats
5. protective cup
6. mitt
7. ball
8. bat
9. hat
10. snack
11. emergency cash (for French Fry Emergencies)
12. bandaids
13. tissues
14. wet wipes
15. sunglasses
16. water bottle
17. (later, sunscreen – I feel optimistic that we'll need it sometime soon!)

Now I can grab my keys and my phone and we're out the door. When I wash the uniform it goes right back into the bag.

I had to regularly run around in a panic before swim lessons (where are the goggles! the swimsuit's still wet! we're out of sunscreen! etc.) before I stumbled upon this hack myself last summer. Such a sanity saver. In fact, it's worth generalizing this idea for all sorts of activities: picnic bag, hike bag, beach bag, "waiting around" bag (because you're bound to hit one of those killer dead spaces in your week, and certain little kids just can't handle them without distraction), etc.

Any other ideas for handy pre-packed bags?

Related: How to remember to restock the diaper bag after you get home

And: Put your random bag collection to work by creating "activity totes"

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About Asha Dornfest

Asha Dornfest is a writer, parent, and insistent optimist living in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of PARENT HACKS, co-author of MINIMALIST PARENTING, and co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast.

Comments

  1. Anna says

    March 3, 2009 at 7:46 am

    We have been doing this for years. One bag per activity. They are always packed and ready to go.It is so nice not to be searching for ballet slippers or soccer cleats 10min before class or practice.

  2. Sarah E says

    March 3, 2009 at 8:01 am

    We keep a tote box in the back of our van stocked with extra outfits/warm clothes for the kids and ourselves, the portable potty, bottled water, a first aid kit, coloring books, etc. I was thinking I might be able to get one of those under-the-bed organizers and slide our kit under the seat.

  3. Sara says

    March 3, 2009 at 8:11 am

    I do the same thing for trips to our neighborhood park & playground. I keep sidewalk chalk, frisbees, bubble blowing stuff, a “Neat Sheet”, sunglasses, sunscreen, a small first aid kit, bottle of water, wipes, etc., etc., in a mesh bag in the garage. Then whenever the mood strikes us, I grab the bag and we are out the door.

  4. Jen says

    March 3, 2009 at 9:58 am

    I am the mom of a special needs kiddo who constantly has to take trips to the hospital.
    I keep a bag packed by the door with diapers, wipes, cups, bottled water or juice, her medical information, health cards and some toys and games. That way when the ambulance comes, I just have to throw on my coat and go.

  5. Ashley, with CWDkids says

    March 3, 2009 at 12:24 pm

    This is a great idea!

  6. Marita says

    March 3, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    I’m another one who keeps bags packed for each activity ready to just pick up and walk out the door. Only real issue we have is storage space for all the different bags.

    Our most important bag is my daughters sensory bag –
    http://leechbabe.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/going-out-and-about-with-autism-and-sensory-processing-disorder/

    We do not leave home without it.

  7. James Heath says

    July 25, 2012 at 11:16 am

    I like to throw in some healthy snacks like almonds or homemade trail mix. I always get so frustrated by the unhealthy options provided at the game like this post http://www.jiggyhealth.com/uncategorized/talkin-smack-about-ayso-snack/

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About the Author

Asha Dornfest is an author, optimist, and mom of two. She started the Parent Hacks blog in 2005, and turned it into a book in 2016. More about Asha »

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