Planning a family day out is exciting but making sure you have everything packed for the kids can sometimes feel like a challenge, as there’s a lot to think about before you leave the house.

Here at Milton, we understand the realities of busy family life and the importance of being prepared for every adventure. To help make your next day out run more smoothly, we’ve put together our top bag packing tips.

How to juggle baby kit and older children 

Packing for babies and children of different ages isn’t always easy. With so much to remember, it can feel overwhelming trying to make sure everything is packed and ready to go, but a little organisation can go a long way. 

Overnight preparation

The key is to make the most of the storage and items you already have. Preparing your bags the night before is another great way to stay organised, giving you one less thing to think about that morning of your day out. 

Utilise your buggy space

If you’re taking a buggy for your young one, utilise the buggy for space, particularly for your baby kit and items such as nappies, nappy sacks, spare outfits, antibacterial surface wipes, toys and blankets etc. Keeping these essentials altogether means they’re easy to access when you need them and won’t take up valuable space elsewhere. 

Backpacks for you and your kids

For older children, a backpack can be a good way to keep everything organised. Use it to pack family essentials such as a basic first-aid kit, SPF, hand sanitiser, snacks and any outdoor items you’ll need throughout the day.

If your children are taking their own small backpack, encourage them to carry a few of their own items, such as a water bottle, their favourite toy, or other activities. This not only encourages independence and helps children feel involved in the day’s adventure, but also reduces what you, as a parent, need to carry.

By dividing items between the buggy and backpacks, you’ll be able to find what you need more quickly and not have to carry one, heavy overstuffed bag.

Sharing Snacks Safely 

Snacks are an essential part of any family day out. To share snacks safely on family days out, we’ve got a few tips for packing food in a practical and hygienic way: 

Individual snacks in resealable bags 

Resealable bags are a great option for packing snacks such as fruit, cereal bars, rice cakes etc, as they help prevent spills and make it easy to hand out food without having to rummage through your bags each time. They’re also ideal for individual portions, helping to keep snack times hygienic and organised.

Tupperware for larger food items 

For larger food items, such as sandwiches, wraps, picnic food, reuseable Tupperware containers are perfect for keeping everything fresh, leakproof and protected during your journey.

Sterilising on the go 

If you’re wondering what the best way to sterilise bottles on the go is, Milton’s Solo Travel Steriliser is the perfect addition to your next day out. This 2-in-1 travel steriliser allows you to choose cold-water sterilisation. Paired with our sterilising tablets, it’s effective in just 15 minutes using cold-water sterilisation. It’s ideal for days out, or whenever you’re away from home.

Buggy hygiene

When you’re out and about with little ones, buggies can quickly become untidy with sticky fingers, dropped toys, crumbs and everyday mess.  

Keeping a few hygiene essentials on-hand can help to tackle any spills and germs spreading as they happen. This will give you peace of mind, knowing you are prepared. 

Milton wipes are a great addition to your bag. They make it super easy for quick clean ups, and they are also suitable for soothers with no need to rinse. 

If your little one uses a dummy, carrying a Mini Soother Sterilise is very handy to clean dummies whenever you need it. Our mini steriliser cleans and sterilises soothers on the go thanks to 2 sponges and sterilises in just 15 minutes using our Milton Mini Sterilising Tablets.

It comes with a strap, making it portable and easily clips onto handbags, changing bags and buggies etc. 

Quick clean ups at parks and soft play 

Parks and soft play can get messy, making it even more important to pack a few hygiene essentials in your bag. Keeping a pack of Milton wipes and hand sanitiser within easy reach means you’re always prepared for quick clean-ups whenever you need them.

A hand gel is perfect for days out, so both you and the kids can clean your hands before eating, after playing, or after using public toilets. Our Antibacterial Hand Gel kills 99.9% of germs in seconds and is suitable for children aged 3 and over. It has been tested on sensitive skin, making it suitable for the whole family and helping you maintain good hygiene while on the go. 

Knowing you’re prepared means less time worrying about the mess and more time enjoying the fun.

Preparing for a family day out doesn’t have to mean packing for every possible scenario. With a little planning and a few essentials, you can feel confident that you’re ready. By organising your bags, and packing practical hygiene essentials, you can spend less time stressing over what you’ve forgotten and more time making memories together.

Milton offers a wide range of sterilising and hygiene products designed to help protect your little ones from germs, giving you added peace of mind when you’re out and about. 

Explore our ranges to find the perfect items for your next family adventure.