Explaining Death to Children

   

With the heartbreaking deaths of 3 young children along with the grandfather this past weekend at the hands of a drunk driver, I wanted to share a resource that might help you when talking to your children about death. 

To the parents and family members of these children and their grandfather, I wish you peace and solace at this most difficult and unimaginable time. May each one of these angels rest in peace. My heart breaks for you. 

Explaining death to anyone is a hard topic to take on, especially when you're trying to explain it to children.

How do you explain something that you yourself aren't factually sure about? No matter your belief, the truth is, that no one present here on earth really knows what happens when we pass. So if that's the case, how on earth do you begin to answer what happens when little ones pose the question? What do you say if you aren't religious? 

I lost my mother quite a few years ago to a debilitating terminal illness. I struggled to understand why this would happen to her. What would really happen when she passed on? Though I still don't know the answer to those questions, I, as well as my family members found solace in a story about waterbugs & dragonflies which was shared at her funeral. 

While the story was originally written for children, it also gave me comfort as a new adult. In addition, it has given my family the dragonfly - our symbol to remember her by and to remind us that she really is watching over us. Whether it's a dragonfly ornament on our Christmas tree or seeing a dragonfly pass by outside, it's a reminder that she's with us. I think that can be very comforting to a child who has lost a loved one. I can't tell you how many times we've had pleasantly odd things happen involving a dragonfly. Whether it's a complete coincidence, or she is sending us a message that she's still around, we appreciate the feelings of comfort that these moments spark.  

I love that the story helps put death into perspective for youngsters. That it can provide them with moments of comfort, knowing that their loves ones are watching over them. 

If you find yourself needing to address concerns, worries or upset in your children, consider this story as an option: 

Waterbugs & Dragonflies: Explaining Death To Young Children - by Doris Stickney

Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in awhile one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.

“Look!” said one of the water bugs to another. “One of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you think she is going?” Up, up, up it slowly went….Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight.

Its friends waited and waited but it didn’t return…

“That’s funny!” said one water bug to another.

“Wasn’t she happy here?” asked a second…

“Where do you suppose she went?” wondered a third.

No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled. Finally one of the water bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends together.

“I have an idea”. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why.

“We promise”, they said solemnly.

One spring day, not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up, he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broke through the surface of the water and fallen onto the broad, green lily pad above. When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn’t believe what he saw.

A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings…The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water. He had become a dragonfly!!

Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was that he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the water bugs! There they were scurrying around, just as he had been doing some time before.

The dragonfly remembered the promise: “The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why.”

Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water…

“I can’t return!” he said in dismay. “At least, I tried. But I can’t keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I’ll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they’ll understand what has happened to me, and where I went.”

And the dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and air…….

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Mad for Madd Gear's Kaos Pro Scooter!

   

I recently came upon Madd Gear's MGP Kaos Pro Scooter while perusing the sports department of a local department store. It was the first scooter that I personally had seen in stores that was designed and meant for kids 8 years and up. My son had just recently outgrown his original 2 wheeled scooter, and it was very timely for us to traipse upon this one. 

We're all about encouraging our kids to ditch their devices and get out for some fresh air and exercise. While out youngest doesn't really use a device as of yet, the oldest one does.  Heading out for a bike ride or scooter ride is one of the few things that he doesn't put up a fuss about when it comes to ditching devices. 

The MGP Kaos Pro Scooter is pretty cool, although I suspect that's not what the "cool" kids are saying these days! LOL Ours is black in colour, and has a badass skull on the front. As previously mentioned, it's geared towards kids ages 8 years and over who are between 60-220lbs. The scooter has some weight to it, and feels very strong and sturdy. It is super simple to assemble out of the box in only 3 easy steps, taking about 5 minutes to put together. It's practically skate park ready. Be sure to remember to keep the Allen key that is included, in case you need to make any tightening adjustments down the road. 

The MGP Kaos Pro Scooter has a high tensile steel one piece MGP Y Bar handlebar which rotates 360 degrees, and also features an extruded double clamp to keep the scooter fastened together. It has pro-spec reinforced forks and 100mm polyurethane wheels with alloy cores and a K-1 bearing set. It comes with a steel flex brake system and a 4" wide deck with MGP design skull grip tape already on it. It also has MGP pro squid grips on the handlebars. While I am not all that tech savvy when it comes to scooters, I am starting to learn a lot more about them. And who knew that I'd ever know what grip tape or a deck was when referring to a scooter! I've been avidly learning to embrace these things, now that I have boys. :) 

For my son personally, this scooter is a great fit. He thinks the scooter is awesome and loves riding it around and trying out new tricks. His friends think it's pretty cool too. As with any sporting activity, be sure that you and/or your children wear proper safety equipment designed for the activity and that they are using their scooter & safety equipment safely. Items like a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads are a must, especially for beginners. For me, a helmet is just non-negotiable. Period. End of story. No matter the age.  

The MGP Kaos Pro Scooter retails in Canada for approximately $150CAN. There is a more cost effective style available on the market called the Madd Gear Whip Pro Scooter which retails for approximately $100CAN. The Whip also comes in a variety of colours. These Madd Gear scooters are available in Canada at your local Walmarts, Mastermind Toys, mom & pop scooter and skateboard shops, as well as on websites like Amazon and EBay. If you were so inclined, there are also higher end ones available through specialty shops.

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Visiting LEGOLAND Toronto From A-Z

   

We love going on excursions with the kids, and are partial to those that promote physical activity and brain stimulation. We recently visited Toronto's LEGOLAND Discovery Centre located inside Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre and had a great time. 

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto has been open for a couple of years now, and continues to be a busy place. While it's geared to kids ages 3yrs to 10yrs, they offer activities enjoyable for both young and old. Whether you are a toddler playing in the DUPLO Village, or a grandparent building a LEGO masterpiece out of the numerous LEGO pieces in the LEGO Racers: Build & Test area with your grandchild, there is something for everyone. 

In addition, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto has 2 amusement park rides. Kingdom Quest Laser Ride drives around on a flat guided track.  While on the ride, you shoot your laser gun at various threats to the princess you are trying to rescue. It is a bit dark inside so it could be a bit frightening to some of the younger ones. The second ride is Merlin's Apprentice, which is a wizard type theme. It is sort of a pedal bicycle ride that flies around and goes up and down while you peddle the "bike" trying to create a potion. Both of these rides do have height restrictions, which can be found by clicking on its respective link. The LEGO Fire Academy, which is a 3 storey jungle gym, also has a height restriction of 4 and a half feet tall. This area alone will keep them busy and active for quite some time and give them the opportunity to work off any wiggles. Be sure to bring socks for this activity as kids will not be permitted entry to this play area without them. Socks can however be purchased on site for $1/pair though, if you forget to bring them. 

The LEGO 4D Cinema plays 3D adventure LEGO shorts with special effects like rainy drizzle, snow flakes and more! It's pretty cool and the films are short enough that most toddlers would likely enjoy them too. MINILAND is really impressive. Here you will see several displays of iconic Toronto and Ontario attractions built with LEGO pieces. From the Rogers Centre, to the CN Tower, to Niagara Falls, there is so much in between. You will be amazed by all the detail put into these displays. It's really quite something! 

Many more activities abound, and this is definitely a family attraction that you don't want to miss. Entry fees can add up if you are a family with a few children, but if you financially compare it to the cost of going to the movies or an amusement park for example, it's not all that much different in price. Plus your children benefit from physical activity, as well as the thought and creativity that goes into many of the activities available there. Adults and children 3 years and up pay the same ticket price. Walk up tickets are $22 each and if you order online tickets, you can pay as little as $17.60 each depending on the time and date you choose. Kids two years and under are free. If you have a child who's 17yrs or under and wanted to go on their own, be aware that they need to have an adult accompany them into the facility. They can't go in on their own even if they are in their teens. 

Same goes for adults. An adult arriving on their own will not be admitted into LEGOLAND without a child, ensuring to the best of their ability that everyone attending the venue is there with the best of intentions. While this might seem to exclude adults who are big kids at heart and want to take advantage of the LEGO building and other activities, LEGOLAND does host adults only nights which accommodate their interests. 

It takes most people about 2-3 hours to fully experience LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto, but you can stay for as long as you like once you are in. Be aware though that there are no in and out privileges, and no outside food or drink is allowed to be brought in except for baby food, formula, milk, and/or food for children with allergies. There is however, a snack bar cafe which offers a variety of items ranging from sandwiches to snacks on site if need be. Prices and items available in the cafe can be found here. 

I'm a big proponent of the early bird getting the worm. This is especially applicable for me when attending LEGOLAND. It gets busy fast and they do have a max capacity where they can't let anyone in until others have left. So be sure to get there early. From what I understand, if you order your tickets online, then your time is guaranteed. In my opinion, it's also a great idea to be there right at opening if you have young children. It can get quite hectic inside on a busy day and kids by nature are easily distracted and could wander off. Getting there earlier allows you to keep a better eye on them. 

If you are visiting LEGOLAND and have an infant, there is a family washroom and plenty of places to sit down if you needed to feed or nurse your little one. The place is very stroller friendly and is fully wheelchair accessible from what I could tell. 

While it's not a venue that we would visit frequently simply because of the cost, it is something that is a must see and do! Your family will have a lot of fun whether you've embraced your inner Master Builder yet or not.

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

The School Years Memory Keeper Is A Great Way To Chronicle!

   

Growing up, my mother kept a school journal for us kids documenting each grade from elementary school through high school. The journal included our report cards, some artwork, as well as data on what we wanted to be when we grew up, who our teacher was, etc.

I've always wanted to do the same for my children. While it's been on my mind for the last few years, it seems that life just gets away from you. Instead of making it a priority to find a suitable book, I've been stuffing my oldest son's school work and report cards in a cupboard. Shameful, I know! :)  With back to school season upon us, organizing & chronicling all this stuff now and in the future has since re-entered my mind. 

While searching online, there were a few options, most with a lot of limitations. I came across the School Years Memory Keeper by Publications International, and found it to be the best option suited for my needs. First off, it is unisex & includes pages for Preschool, all the way to Grade 12. It is about the size of a 12x12 scrapbook, and will allow you to comfortably put 8x10 sized school photos, school work and awards into the pockets without having to bend them. You can easily put in a bit larger sized projects as well, but you'd have to bend and fold them to fit the pockets.  On the front cover, you can include one wallet sized image of their school pictures for each grade, making it easy to see right from the cover whose book it is. Not to mention that it's wonderful to easily look back and reminisce about how they've changed as they've grown. 

The School Years Memory Keeper is hardcover, and has 24 storage pocket pages constructed of sturdy thin cardboard type material.  There is lots of space to store precious artwork not only inside the many pockets, but also directly onto some of the pages. There are also some designated sections where the kids could draw something directly in the book each year, which would be comical to look back on. Just remember to get the younger ones to tell you what their drawing is so that you can document it, and look back knowing what the picture actually is! 

Throughout the book there are also special areas for each grade to document their growth, personal interests, friends, teacher information, feelings, school pictures and much more. For the older grades, there are also sections to document favorite bands, music, websites, blogs and a special page for Grade 12 which includes goals and things to remember about high school. 

Kids grow up so fast, and time flies by. Before you find yourself digging out of years of artwork, report cards, awards or other academic keepsakes, stay on the ball and start organizing it now! It's a wonderful memento for both you and your child and will be appreciated for years to come. I still look at mine and cherish the memories and the time and energy my mother put into making these for us. 

The only thing I wish it had was a section for each grade where the child can indicate what he or she would like to be when they grow up. It's funny to look back and see what I wanted to be over the years and what I've chosen to do professionally. I've easily solved this minor inconvenience by writing it myself directly onto the page. 

The School Years Memory Keeper retails for approximately $30, and can be found on Amazon and at various big box and mom & pop shops throughout Canada and the U.S. There seems to be a few different designs available on the market for this album, but this one in particular is my favorite as it can be used for either gender and is a bit more stylish in design. It's also a thoughtful gift idea and I got one for each of my kids. 

I'm proud to say that the organization has begun and I now have an empty cupboard! :)

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

The Get Ready For School Book/Game Series Supports PBS Kids!

 

With September approaching ever so quickly, school is on the minds of many. Especially so for those with children entering kindergarten for the first time. Some worry about how their children will handle being away from their parents and some will question whether or not their children are academically ready for what lies ahead.

DK Canada has a series of Get Ready For School books and games that aid in school readiness for early learners.  Whether you would like to work on your child's colours, numbers, or memory, there is a book or game to assist you in accomplishing these goals. They also include tips in each one that helps you and your child get the most out of what the books and games have to offer.  Purchasing any of the titles from this series also supports PBS Kids, which we all know has fantastic children's programming and resources.  

The items I sampled were:

Get Ready For School Games: Number Memory Games features a small interactive board book focusing on numbers from 1-10. The book helps in learning both numbers and counting and it comes with 40 photo cards. In addition to learning about numbers, these photo cards can be utilized to further teach your child through adding and subtracting, along with game play and other challenges for which the tips and instructions are included. This set retails for $9.99 in the U.S., and $10.99 in Canada. 

Get Ready For School Games: Color Match is very similar to the Number Memory Games set in that it has the smaller interactive board book which breaks down colours, shapes and the like. This set also includes 40 photo cards that feature pictures of a variety of coloured items to help further teach your child color concepts. There are cards with images of pencil crayons in various colours as well as a card with each colour displayed on it, with its corresponding spelling. They can also be used for game play and timed challenges, and the set comes with suggestions on which games to play with them. This set also retails for $9.99 in the U.S., and $10.99 in Canada. 

Get Ready For School: I'm Ready For School is an 18 paged board book which allows young ones to learn about colours, shapes and numbers. It features themes such as morning routines, eating meals, matching items like footwear, and the correct clothing for the weather. The 45 flaps throughout the book allow kids to satisfy their curiosity as to what's on the other side, all while learning. This book retails for $12.99 in the U.S. & $13.99 in Canada. 

For those with older kids, the Help Your Kids With Math book is chock full of visuals, explanations and aids on various mathematics starting with telling the time, adding, subtraction, multiplication and division, all the way to geometry and algebra. It also includes a section on personal finance, which I think is an important topic for children and youth. This particular book is suited for kids in grades 3 through grade 6. All of its 264 pages will be well used by me once my son enters those grades. Believe you me, math is not my strong suit, and this book will be immensely helpful not only for my son but for me as well! Help Your Kids With Math retails for $19.95 in the U.S., and $20.95 here in Canada. 

To discover the other titles in the Get Ready For School series, click here. 

Check out other titles specifically selected for DK Canada's Back to School Boutique! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Marvel Universe Live Is Universally Spectacular!

   

We just got back from Marvel Universe Live here in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre and it's pretty cool!

While comic superheroes are not really my thing, I'm learning to embrace all things masculine now that I have 2 boys. And I'm quickly discovering that all things perceived as masculine aren't always that. There are plenty of female superheroes too and what kid (both big and small) doesn't love a superhero?Whether it's a cartoon, a comic or a movie, my older one is into it all! 

Marvel Universe Live is a unique live-action original play chock-full of action, special effects, martial arts, aerial stunts & pyrotechnics that unite over 25 of the Marvel characters as part of the storyline. Whether you are a fan of Spider-Man, The Avengers or some of the others, this dramatic performance is sure to impress. It hasn't been hailed as the most technically advanced show ever for nothing! Even the amazing motorcycle and dirt bike stunts are exciting to watch! My personal favorite was Captain America riding around the stage on his motorcycle, and seeing Spider-Man perform aerial stunts. It's downright cool!

Marvel Universe Live runs for 2 hours, with a 15 minute intermission about 45 minutes into the show. The show itself is quite loud, especially so when the pyrotechnics were set off. I saw quite a few toddlers crying during the show and covering their ears. Their parents were taking them out and it seems that they were frightened by the noise. I didn't find the storyline to be too scary for the littlest ones, I truly think it was the loud special effects that was upsetting them. Because of this, and knowing that my 2 year old would have been the exact same way, I think the show is more suited for kids ages 4yrs and up. Even then I would suggest bringing noise cancellation earphones in case they find it to be loud, as the venue itself only sold foam earplugs, at a cost of $2. While the price is nominal, I don't think they would have been strong enough for a toddler or preschooler. If a child is under 2 years of age, they can be admitted free so long as they sit on your lap for the duration of the show. If they are 24 months and older, they would require their own ticket. With that being said, I wouldn't bring kids under 4yrs of age to the show because of the previously stated noise levels. 

Be sure to have your kids dress up as their favorite Marvel character! We saw dozens of little Spider-Mans, Iron Mans and Captain Americas roaming around the ACC. It was adorable to see these enthusiastic fans about, and a great way to get more bang for your buck out of an old playtime or hallow'een costume. 

Marvel Universe Live is currently travelling across Canada to a number of cities, and making quite a few stops across the U.S. throughout this year and in 2016. It will be coming soon to those in the U.K. as well.  At the ACC, the tickets ranged from $20 children's tickets, all the way up to $150 for Gold Level. The average price of a ticket was about $25-$60, depending on your seating choice and availability. These prices change from location to location, so please inquire at the venue closest to you for specific pricing in your neck of the woods.

Marvel Universe Live is offering a 20% discount off tickets purchased using promo code MULOC, so be sure to take advantage of those savings! Like any attraction, save as much as you can on the tickets, as the souvenirs are atrociously expensive, at least at the ACC. For a youth t-shirt, you are looking at $40, and for 2 drinks and 1 popcorn, you'll be forking over about $18. Face painting was $15 per design and you could get your photo taken with what seemed like a cardboard superhero for $25-$30. They had snow cones in themed cups for $15-20, and a whole slew of other memorabilia.  

Marvel Universe Live is here in Toronto until Sunday, with the following showtimes:

Friday, August 14th - 7pm

Saturday, August 15th - 11am, 3pm & 7pm

Sunday, August 16th - 11am & 3pm

For more information on Marvel Universe Live, visit their website, and follow them on Twitter and on Facebook. 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Race To The Rescue With the Paw Patroller!

   

My kids love Paw Patrol, and like many, love to re-enact Paw Patrol rescue missions.  We previously received the Lookout Playset as well as Chase's Cruiser, Marshall's Firefightin' Truck and Rubble's Digg'n Bulldozer. They still enjoy playing with those items, but were particularly excited to get the new Paw Patrol Paw Patroller so that they can transport the pups and their vehicles to the next assignment! 

The Paw Patrol Paw Patroller is geared for children 3yrs and up. It does require 3 LR44 watch batteries, which thankfully are included. The only assembly required was to place the 2 front seats into the cab of the truck, and affix the stickers.  

The Paw Patrol Paw Patroller allows for up to 6 vehicles and pups to be displayed when the patroller is fully opened into a command centre. When closed and in transport mode the patroller can hold up to 3 vehicles and their pups. It comes with a sticker sheet to embellish the Patroller, as well as Ryder and his ATV. The Paw Patrol Paw Patroller features 5 sounds from the show that change each time the button is depressed. It has the sound of a vehicle backing up and running as well as honking, and also the tone Ryder sends to the pups' collars to mobilize them. It also has the sound of a hoist being elevated, which can go alongside the Paw Patroller's real working elevator used to lift the pups to the upper level of the Patroller. On its upper level, you will find a landing pad for Skye's helicopter, as well as a holder for Zuma's hovercraft propeller fans. The cab of the truck has 2 front seats allowing for Ryder to drive, and for some of the other pups to ride up front with him.  The elevator could be a bit difficult to latch on the upper level for the younger ones, but I'm sure they would get the hang of it quickly. Overall, it seems well constructed and fairly sturdy, particularly when it's in transport mode. The only thing I would add to the Paw Patroller vehicle itself is volume control, so that you can adjust how loud or how quiet the sounds are. 

The Paw Patrol Paw Patroller retails in Canada for approximately $79.99, and in the U.S. for about $59.99. It is available at various retailers such as Toys R Us, Walmart and Amazon. At this price point, particularly with regards the Canadian MSRP, it would have been nice to have all of the characters and their vehicles, or at least RoboDog, included as a complete set.  Though it does specify on the box that it includes Ryder and his ATV, the packaging could be a little bit misleading, as the images on the box show all of the characters and their vehicles inside the Paw Patroller. This could easily lend to someone assuming they were all included if they weren't carefully looking at the box and its contents. I suspect that the toy company likely didn't include all of them because the individual vehicles have been on the market for quite a while now and likely wouldn't be needed for most consumers. With that being said, the Paw Patrol Paw Patroller is an interchangeable toy and can also be used with just about any smaller sized vehicles such as dinky cars, which can further expand your child's creativity. And they will love it! In my mind, this is like Barbie & her camper. They go hand in hand and belong together. I suspect that it will be on many a child's Christmas list this year! 

For those in the U.S., the Paw Patrol Tour might be coming to a city near you this summer! The Paw Patrol Tour will be visiting state and county fairs from California, to Wisconsin, to Texas and many other stops in between from July 25th to October 4th, 2015. The tour will feature the Paw Patroller truck and trailer along with visits from Chase & Marshall. There will be giveaways, activities for the munchkins, as well as visits from popular Spin Master and Nickelodeon characters like Sick Bricks, Little Charmers, and Chubby Puppies!  Unfortunately this tour is not yet available in Canada, but I can promise you that if it does, I'll spread the word! My kids would be over the moon for it! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Make Your Own Ouchie Kit!‏

   

Now that summer is here, everyone is out and about taking in all that the season has to offer. Whether you're hitting up a park or playground, accompanying your kids on a bike ride, or taking advantage of a local splash pad, you never know when one of  your brood is going to wipe out, or otherwise acquire an owie. 

Having a small ouchie kit that you can carry with you in the car, diaper bag, or stroller can make your life a lot easier when you need to apply minor first aid, or assuage a booboo that is more psychological than physical. Especially if you are a bit far from home on foot on a walk, hike, bike ride or visit to the playground!

While you can purchase first aid kits, they are often bulky and contain a number of items that you would likely never use. I keep one of these in my trunk and at home just in case. But for outings with the kids, I like to carry a small sized version with just the essentials, so that I'm not bogged down with even more things to carry around. We all know our purses and diaper bags already have enough stuff in them! The best thing about making your own ouchie kit is that you can tailor it to include items specific to your family's needs. 

Here's what I include in my ouchie kit: 

• A plastic container or fabric pouch for the items
• Band-Aids in various sizes, including themed ones like Spiderman or Barbie. (They help a lot with booboos!) 
• Polysporin/Neosporin or other antibiotic ointment
• Travel sized peroxide for cleaning up any scrapes or cuts
• A couple sterile gauze pads
• A roll of adhesive first aid tape
• A roller bandage with the clips
• Eye drops if your child is known to have seasonal allergies that might flare up unexpectedly
• Epi-Pen or other epinephrine injector if you child has allergies to nuts or outdoor hazards like bees & wasps
• A pair of latex or non-latex gloves

Comment below if there is anything else you carry in yours that would be a great addition for others! 

Have a safe and happy summer! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****