Spring Must Haves for Kids Ages 1+
Spring is right around the corner and as warmer weather starts to glimmer through the gloomy days I know it’s time to start gathering all of my spring must haves for kids.
This spring (2021) I’ll have a 14 year old, a 4 year old and a 1.5 year old so I feel confident in saying I’m pretty experienced with the prep work needed for outside fun. I am a big planner and I start working on gathering items off of my spring essentials checklist once April hits. My kids love to play outdoors which makes the idea of warm weather coming soon very exciting for us and with Colorado weather being as unpredictable as it is – I need to be prepared!
Having items gathered together ahead of time relieves the headache of #1 frantically searching the house for needed item and #2 finding the item is sold out.
You can find lists on spring must haves for kids all over the internet with loads of ideas for a new spring outfit. Don’t get me wrong, I love kid fashion just as much as the next mama but this list isn’t geared towards that topic. Instead, this post focuses on how to play in the soon coming April Showers and I hope my checklist offers items you may not have though of or have read about before. My goal is to keep the kids entertained for hours outside with inexpensive ideas they will absolutely love!
1. Sunscreen
I know what you are thinking…… this is a given right?! But I’m not taking about the regular ole’ liquid sunscreen.
If you haven’t tried children’s stick sunscreen for face application you are missing out.
TRUST ME when I say this product is a game changer! I know it isn’t the most fun but it’s always at the top of my spring must haves for kids checklist.
2. Inexpensive Bowls/Pots and Spatulas
Two words – MUD PIES!! Another four words – NOT IN MY DISHES!! HaHa
I have the most fond memories making secret concoctions of witches brew with my sister when we were young and my two girls are the exact same way. They love nothing more than to mix together a big bowl of mud, grass, rocks, sticks, etc. and then proudly call me out to show me their creation.
Plastic bowls and wooden spatulas can be picked up at a local WalMart for under $10 and it’ll keep your kids entertained for hours!
2. Rain Boots
You know the shoes your kids wear but only a handful of times. Then when they are needed again – the kids feet have outgrown them?? Yep… rain boots.
Surprisingly retail stores start stocking them as early as the end of January. I personally find it’s great to grab them early so all sizes are in stock and you’ll be prepared for when that first rain storm hits.
No soaking their tennis shoes running in through flooded gutters — Sign me up!!
3. Umbrella
If your kids are anything like mine their poor umbrellas take quite the beating! It never fails by the end of the spring season a metal arm has hazardously poked through the fabric rim waiting to catch an eye or snag a t-shirt.
4. Rain Jacket
Playing out in the rain is fun until the chill sets in and the kids want to come in because they are freezing and soaking wet! Rain jackets are easy because they can be picked up in gender neutral patterns and passed down to younger siblings!
6. Hard Sided Plastic Pool
Do yourself a favor and as soon as you see these bad boys hit the floor at your retail stores – PICK ONE UP! If this spring and summer is anything like last year you’ll be glad you grabbed one early because they sold out within weeks in 2020 and didn’t come back into stock all summer long.
I used to purchase the fancy inflatable pools for my kids until I realized the work involved in setting them up and taking them down. Not anymore!
Plastic round pools are so simple and you don’t have to worry about holes! Your kids will be thrilled and think you are Super Mom when the sun peaks through the clouds and fills the day with warmth and you have a fun pool for them to splash in.
7. Lunch Box and Water Bottle
These two items could very well already be in your household stock but it’s worth pulling them out and making sure the zippers all still work and each kid has their own.
My family and I go on picnics as much as we can in. My kids think I’m the coolest when we have a picnic lunch, even if that means we only travel as far as the backyard.
Contigo water bottles are durable and easy to carry (even for my youngest). They are always at the top of my spring must haves for kids list.
8. Outdoor Lined Picnic Blanket
My family uses our blanket like this all of the time. I personally feel it is one of the most genius inventions!
Try to find one that folds up easily, has Velcro to keep it tightly closed and an arm strap so you can easily carry it while your hands are full with everything else.
If you are a member at Costco they almost always carry one every year. (It’s where I bought mine) P.S. It makes a great gift to give too. Everyone always raves about it after using for the first time!
9. Kids Folding Lawn/Camping Chair
Inevitably there will be an outdoor event and the grass will be slightly wet to the touch. In order to avoid kids with wet bottoms it’s always nice to have light weight folding chairs on hand for easy load up and go.
Several big retail stores carry them and offer a large variety for designs. I seem to always find the kids chairs for around $10.
I try to pick chairs with the convenient cup holder in the arm so their drinks can stay upright and I don’t get stuck holding them.
10. Rabbit Repellent For Your Yard
This one is not directly for your kids enjoyment but more so for your piece of mind. Let me explain…
If your yard is like mine, our fence is not solid and rabbits easily can come through. We do not have any family pets so the rabbits find sanctuary hidden in my yard. The problem with this is the droppings the rabbits leave behind. The last thing needed is for your baby/toddler to think they’ve found a piece of candy. You get where I’m going with this…..
One of the BEST plant friendly and home pet friendly rabbit repellents we’ve found is Liquid Fence Deer & Animal Repellant spray. It works wonders! Spraying the perimeter of our yard has completely stopped the rabbits entering into our yard. Rabbits mate in February/March so we are sure to start with the repellent perimeter in the spring.
There you have it friends