Summer Essentials (for a babywearing family)

Summer 2021 - it's going to be brilliant. Well it bloody well better be! We need a good summer right? Full of fun and adventures and days out and just JOY. It's certainly what I am in need of anyway. 

We have 4 children, and so we have a fair amount to take on a day out so thought it would be helpful to share our summer days out essentials for making life with children so much easier! 

---

1. A Wagon: I literally don't know why it took us so long to buy one. Foldable, easy to steer, huge weight limit. Put all the stuff in it, or children and pull. SOOOOOOOO good. I cannot tell you how much I love my wagon. We use it to get all the stuff down to the beach etc/football days out. So useful when you have a baby in a sling, you don't want to be carrying loads of bags and a baby in a sling. That's just a pain. 

Ours is from Costco: ​XL Steel Folding Wagon with Cargo Net and All Terrain Wheels | Costco UK

You will not regret a wagon. Seriously. And the kids think its fun. 

---

---

2. Giant thermal water bottles. We go everywhere with these - pictured with me for scale. They are giant. Keep drinks freezing cold. We don't run out of water with these. Chuck them in the wagon! Love these a lot.

Another costco purchase but other places sell them (basically we love all costco stuff haha) These are Takeya brand, 40oz and amazing. So happy with these. 

---

---

3. Cool box on wheels. Ok, one more Costco purchase! But cool box on wheels, no more picnic bags digging into your shoulder. Keeps food cool for the whole day (we've been out on the hottest day of the year and took ice-lollies). Seriously amazing thing. Enough room for my greedy family and drinks. (the giant water bottles). Also doubles up as a toddler transporter (although I'm sure it says on the lid, not to sit on it?!)

---

---

4. Wet suits. Game changer for our beaches. On those days where it's not stonking hot but the kids still want in the water, wet suits. Just make life so much better. Not so cold. No blue lips and arguments with the kids to get out because they are turning blue (okay, one of my kids isn't wearing one in the picture, it's anna, she does what she likes!)
Buy them from fb marketplace or carboot sales, always great bargains to be had on them because kids grow so quickly! 

---

---

5. Sun hat with straps for baby. Stop baby throwing them off/wind blowing it off and you not noticing when you're back carrying! I love this one from babipur: LGR The Birds Did Sing Reversible Sun Hat (babipur.co.uk) (and it's in the sale atm)

---

---

6. Another Babipur find, baby powder (with none of the nasties)  is ESSENTIAL for the beach. Makes drying a baby/small person/parent when kids are fed up, sooooooo much quicker and easier!!! Also makes getting sand off them easy peasy. No fuss. Anna is especially sensitive to anything not being quite right in clothes so powder makes our lives easier after the beach! Little Violet's Natural Baby Powder (Talc free) 140gm (babipur.co.uk)

---

---

7. Pop up tent! One of those that folds back into a bag. My genius sister in law had a couple when we were at her beach in Ireland and it was soooo handy for putting all the stuff/big kids who want privacy when getting changed/babies needing a bit of shelter for a nap/ feeding. So handy. And with a wagon, it's easy to add a tent into the mix of stuff to take with you! We are getting one for football Sundays too. Just fill it with all the stuff quick so you're not chasing it down the beach!
Eurohike Pop 200 | Blacks This one is in the sale at the moment!

---

---

8. Stay on, waterproof sandals for you! Okay these aren't the most beautiful sandals in the world. But if you're chasing toddlers/in the water/babywearing you don't want your footwear to let you down. Buy that I mean trip you up/fall off/be a danger in anyway. These are the sandals I'm buying this year becaause they are also barefoot and I'm a massive fan of barefoot shoes now! Xero Shoes Veracruz | Xero Shoes UK

---

---

9. Mesh, easy to use, carrier. You didn't think I'd forget a sling did you? I've always favoured something super easy to use, reliable and comfy for summer days out. Like this tula free to grow, mesh panel, so a bit more breathable. Two clips and you're done. Makes life so much easier. Obvs, essential for any day out IMO. 
Hire one through me if you need one for summer adventures? ​Book Consultation - Naturally Happy Families
​

---

I hope that was helpful, thanks for reading. And I really hope you have a wonderful summer. 
Big love
Chiara x