Backpack or diaper bag for parks with 2yo?

[Ducky'sMom]

Hey y'all,

I'm gonna be in the parks with my 13yo and almost 2yo for 4 park days and I'll have my husband for 2 days at the beginning and end of our trip. I'm already renting a stroller from KS, but I'm trying to decide if I want to take a backpack (it's what I took before 2yo was born) or if I want to bring a diaper bag. I'm gonna have to bring the diaper bag for driving down to and back from Orlando, but I'm not so sure I want to use it in the parks, which means I'd have to get a separate bag to designate as 2yo's diaper bag. Besides diapers and wipes, it'll have a sippy, snacks, and a change of clothes at least. I was going to carry the ponchos, maybe my small wallet, sunscreen, bandaids, and backup battery. I feel like combining stuff would be best, but I'd really appreciate advice on what bag would be better for this situation.

 

[farfaraway]

I guess it depends on the size of your diaper bag. If you can store it underneath the stroller that would be a plus. IF it's a large one, I might go with a backpack since it might be easier to carry around the park. Use which ever one can put all the things you need and can carry/get around the park with. Sorry it's not very clear.

 

[lostprincess_danie]

With a toddler we took a backpack and a smaller tote bag. Backpack held my stuff (phone, water bottle, etc.) and most of the baby things we would need while away from the stroller. The small bag stayed under the stroller with extra diapers, wipes, extra snacks and change of clothes. I would transfer stuff into the backpack as needed. This way I was not carrying around a lot of extras in my backpack when we were in line for attractions.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We take 1 backpack for us all and our 2 year old's stuff fits in it. We pack light. Ponchos & rain cover (and jackets, when it's cold) get throw in bottom of the stroller, everything else goes in the bag. My wallet, looooots of snacks, his change of clothes, couple bandaids in a pocket, water shoes for splash pad play, pullups, wipes, sunscreen stick, my lipstick, and I throw any souvenirs we buy in the bag too. Heck, I even toss the stroller fan in there when we go ride something usually.

I never ever leave my bag in the stroller - I know too many people who have had things stolen (we live fairly local and know lots of AP's). Water bottles stay in the stroller cupholders (though my brother in law had the LID of his Yeti stolen right out of their stroller!), and I shove rain gear in the seat with the cover pulled down when we jump on rides. I'm probably paranoid but I really don't want my stuff taken

Our bag is never heavy so it's easy for me to throw on for rides. I use bags inside the bag. We have a big zipper bag for spare clothes, pullups, and wipes and another zipper bag for snacks. Makes it easier to pull out when needed. It's basically the same bag I take on day trips, to the zoo, Disney Springs, etc.

 

[MomOTwins]

We bought the little clips that let you hang your diaper bag from your stroller handlebar. Makes it easy to pull aside on the walkway and get something out of the bag for kiddo. Plus saves an achy back at the end of the day.

 

[Riss]

My youngest sister uses a backpack as her every day normal diaper bag. I'm pretty sure it's designed and marketed as a diaper bag. It's probably a medium sized Toy Story print bag that fits everything a child could need in it. We brought it along with us in May and it fit his spare clothes, wipes, pull-ups, snacks, etc. It also has 2 side pockets to fit the cups for drinks. I believe we also put what the 6-year-old needed in there, too, like extra snacks and a change of clothes.

Similarly, we also never left the bag with the stroller. Since it was a backpack, it was fairly easy for her to carry around and never really got heavy. She actually wore it on her back all day for the most part and did have extra room for anything additional she wanted to put in for herself. I'm pretty sure she kept her card holder in there, too.

 

[CharissaOKC]

I agree with a lot of people on here that it depends on your diaper bag but I can share what works for us.

Our diaper bag is pretty big and has lots of pockets so we don’t bring it to the parks. If you have to have your bag searched all those pockets will slow you down a ton! We just use 1 more compact backpack for all of us. (2 adults + 2kids)

I think one thing to consider is how you tour the parks. We take a decent mid-day break and stay onsite so I have learned that I need just the basics as we are only in the parks for 3-5 hours at a time.

 

[nancipants]

Our diaper bag WAS a backpack. Like MomofTwins, we clipped it to the stroller handle and brought it with us when we had to park the stroller. I still use a backpack now that he’s potty trained with wipes/portable potty seat/change of clothes/emergency pull-up, along with our other park stuff.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I only ever had a back back style diaper bag, but I prefer a backpack over a shoulder bag at Disney - easier to pass around, shove into ride vehicles, and underneath the stroller.

 

[Princesca]

I am not a fan of leaving anything of value in the stroller, so I would either do the backpack and take it with you, or get a fanny pack or crossbody for valuables and small essentials and throw everything else in a 'there is nothing of value here' plastic grocery bag so it isn't a temptation for anyone.

 

[Anna131517]

A diaper bag is just a bag you put diapers in. A diaper bag can be a backpack. I always used a backpack as a diaper bag because it’s nice to have your hands free with young children. I say combine all your toddler’s stuff and your stuff in one backpack. That will make it easier to carry on transportation. We always leave our backpack in the stroller but there’s nothing valuable in it. I have a cross body purse I keep all the valuables in.

 

[mjkacmom]

My only diaper bag was a backpack one from lands end, purchased in 1995. It was always my go to trip bag, comfortable and the perfect size. I still have it.

 

[Disney102015]

I use a Skiphop changing pad. It has pockets where I put enough diapers and wipes for the day (plus desitin), and it clips to my backpack, which is where I put all the other stuff. That way I only have to take the changing pad to the bathroom for changes.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I use a Skiphop changing pad. It has pockets where I put enough diapers and wipes for the day (plus desitin), and it clips to my backpack, which is where I put all the other stuff. That way I only have to take the changing pad to the bathroom for changes.

That sounds like a great product. I wish I had had one when mine was a baby.

 

[AspenLL]

I use one of those foldable travel backpacks from Amazon, like the Zomake brand. They've been great. More than enough room for all toddler essentials plus some stuff for our 8 year old.

 

[ElenaRN]

My diaper bag was a backpack and I loved it.

I don't know what type of diaper bag you have but I wouldn't want to carry a heavy shoulder bag.

 

[ShannyMcB]

With a 2yo I would suggest backpack to keep your hands free. Please a tiny crossbody or fannypack/moneybelt for items of value.
If you take midday breaks you won't need to pack much at all assuming you won't be carrying around bottles or the like. As we discovered last year with our toddler less is more.

 

[sponica]

Trip 1, we used my messenger bag as the diaper bag. I also have one of those skip hop changing pads that has a clip.

Trip 2, we used an Eddie Bauer collapsible backpack as a diaper bag.

 

[MamaMermaid]

My diaper bag was a backpack and I loved it.

I don't know what type of diaper bag you have but I wouldn't want to carry a heavy shoulder bag.

Same. I can't remember who told me to get a diaper backpack but it was the best advice ever.

Highly recommend a backpack in lieu of a diaper bag!