Outdoor markets, concerts and food truck events are all the rage at the moment.
Although many of them say they are aimed at children, it’s often still a heck of a hassle attending with toddlers in tow.
My son is a pre-schooler now, so events are easier to navigate but these tips, which I started implementing when he was around three, still come in handy.
1. WET WIPES Bring them with you, because your kid is likely to spill something somewhere and you will need a quick fix.
I remembered this the moment Aidan toppled over, face first, into his ice cream at the first market he ever attended.
2. Bring a PLASTIC BAG You can’t always locate a bin, and carrying your kid around as you try to find one is not fun, so take a bag with so you can hold on to the trash until you find a bin.
I love big handbags so often have a plastic bag with me for this very reason; I can’t begin to explain how much I detest littering.
3. A FRESH SHIRT isn’t a bad idea at all because little kids attract dirt and grime and food stains and even face paint, even though they didn’t get their faces painted.
4. SCOUT OUT a nice place to sit down as kids don’t like to stand around. Lying down in the middle of a crowded area throwing a tantrum doesn’t seem to bother them, but standing in a queue is apparently a no-no.
5. BACK UP SNACKS will save your life when the queues get crazy and your child is more hungry than they have ever been in their lives, ever. You will be super glad for the snack in your handbag
6. GO EARLY, before your young child becomes cranky and the alcohol consumption makes your fellow festival goers cranky.
7. GROUND RULES are important, such as limits on the amount of treats and activities they are allowed.
I like to tell Aidan what the plan is beforehand because when he knows the plan, he is less likely to lose his little mind.
He also feels very grown up and in charge when he gets to choose his one activity and two treats, or whatever I come up with.