Can't decide...backpacks or fanny packs for kids?

[la79al]

DSS will be 10 and DSD will be 6 when we head to WDW in June. I really can't decide how to carry our stuff into the parks. Last trip we had a one strap backpack that I dislike immensely and I ended up carrying 90% of the time. We also each had water bottles and there were two cameras not in the backpack. This year I am planning on limiting what we take into the parks. I am thinking that the kids will each be carrying their autograph books, pen and disposable camera. Oh and DSD will be carrying a collapsible cup because she backwashes and I won't even torture my DSS by making him share a drink with her. I will be carrying all the tickets, the standard first aid stuff, sunscreen, wipes of some kind, a camera and who knows what else. The water bottles are out this trip, as it makes more sense to get a 20 oz for the 4 of us to share. I can't decide how to pack it all. It will all fit in a backpack and I could just accept that I would be carrying it. I sort of like the idea of everything going into fanny packs though. I'm just not sure about the kids and fanny packs and obviously not everything would fit in my fanny pack. What are your suggestions? Also, where is a good place to get cheap kid sized fanny packs? I would most likely get one for each so if one gets lost/left behind, they both don't suffer.

 

[TheDizMom]

I personally think just limiting what you take and carrying one bag is easiest. I know I'll get stuck with it and I try to make it as light as possible. I just don't give my kids a bag because I know I'll get stuck carrying it eventually, and then I am carrying 3 bags! If you go with anything go with the fanny pack. At least it should hold a small autograph book, pen and camera and it will go around their waist so they won't be as likely to lose it or had it over to you.

 

[CastleCreations]

I go to Disney with my 4 and 5 year old and I don't nearly carry all of that stuff. I take a drawstring backpack and that's it. I don't carry water, because I just buy it in the park, or they drink out of water fountains. I put sunscreen on them, before we leave the hotel room and I do take a can of the clear, no-rub spray, because it doesn't weigh anything. I also take about 4 bandaids, our tickets, money, room key, camera, and I think that's it. I wear the backpack and it really doesn't weigh anything. This was the best option for our family. I can't imagine lugging around water bottles all day. Maybe if I had a stroller with a cup holder. LOL...I try not to make my kids carry anything, between the heat, and all the fun things they want to do, I think a backpack or fanny pack might get in their way. But whatever you choose, enjoy your vacation.

 

[briarberry]

My DD10 carried a fanny pack on our first trip with her autograph book and disposal camera and a small wallet. The second trip she didn't want to use it so I said I'd carry her wallet and that was all she needed. I did buy a water bottle strap (from a drink stand in a park, we have one from each park so we can choose) so all she carries now is a bottle of water. I only carry a small bag myself with the essentials (camera, wallet and a few other things). I am amazed when I see people lugging around huge backpacks etc. What do they have in there???? We travel light and if we really need anything we buy it in the parks.
I would leave it up to your kids. They will know what they want to carry with them.
Have a great trip!

 

[Hannathy]

I carry a shoulder bag (backpacks bug me) but it is lightweight and I don't carry much, 2/$1. ponchos, bandaids a few other little things , no water etc, it would all fit in a fanny pack -but I don't like those either. My DD takes a fanny pack and my rule is if you leave the hotel with it you carry it! my DS7 doesn't want to carry anything so he takes nothing. my Dh takes the digital camera in a pocket. If your kids want to take Autograph books-we don't anymore-I'd get them each a fanny pack because they get strapped on and don't have to come off when you sit like a back pack-less chance of leaving it behind. Everything a child would need would fit in a fanny pack.


I agree with the poster who stares at some of the folks who have enough stuff to go camping in the wilderness for 3 days! My Lord what do they have in there. Even when my DS was 2 I never had more than a small bag.

 

[nuts4wdw]

I am one of those that carries a huge backpack. I carry (just for those that wanted to know):
-Epipen for oldest ds
-Inhaler and aerochamber for youngest ds
-change of clothes for each ds (in case of meeting a fountain or mickey ice cream)
-2 way radios (so we can seperate)
-Batteries for radios (don't want to pay ºoº prices for those )
-diapers
-wipes
-Other diaper bag stuff bib, spoon. . .
-medicated diaper rash cream
-snacks (dried fruit, crackers, need these as I am type I diabetic)
-bottles
-formula
-h20 bottles (frozen from the night before)
-light blanket for youngest ds
-sunscreen
-ponchos x 5
-sometimes pack a light lunch (a penny saved is a penny for a nice character meal)
So, as you can see. I guess we could camp, but at least, I'm prepared. As for the original question. We put the backpack on the stroller. I wear a fanny pack. I, too, am looking for a fanny pack for little ones. Still haven't found one yet.So, there stuff either goes in the BIG back pack or under the stroller. It works for us. Good luck finding the fanny packs, if you find any be sure to post, enquiring minds want to know.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

My GKs (currently 10 and 12) carry fanny packs. I bought them at Wal*Mart for $5-6 and shortened (cut and re-stitched) the waist strap so it would fit their waists.

The packs I bought have small mesh outer pockets that I put small water bottles into. Inside they carry their digi-cams, autograph book, pen and a personal fan.

Then I carry an Overland Equipment Donner bag with my cash, tickets, cell phone, etc. in the fold down flap and my camera and whatnot in the center pocket.

HTH!

 

[dis-happy]

I guess I'm a mean mom; since we quit needing a stroller I have my kids each bring their own backpack (even the 6 year old). They are all small and lightweight but in them goes: some snack pouches, rain poncho, jackets during cool winter weather. In my backpack goes: camera, a small kit including: suncreen, Advil, bandaid, hand sanitizer, and finally my snacks for the day and a poncho. My dh has a pouch thing that is very slim but holds his stuff. When it's hot weather he also carries the softsided cooler over his shoulder (it's ergonomic and not bad at all to carry). In the colder months each child also carries a 12 oz. screw top drink in their backpack and we leave the cooler in the room.

I wouldn't share a drink. Everytime we do this (even if I think all are well) someone gets sick and I regret it. You might want to bring some disposable cups or different colored straws or something so no germs are spread.

 

[hollyb]

I am one of those that carries a huge backpack. I carry (just for those that wanted to know):
-Epipen for oldest ds
-Inhaler and aerochamber for youngest ds
-change of clothes for each ds (in case of meeting a fountain or mickey ice cream)
-2 way radios (so we can seperate)
-Batteries for radios (don't want to pay ºoº prices for those )
-diapers
-wipes
-Other diaper bag stuff bib, spoon. . .
-medicated diaper rash cream
-snacks (dried fruit, crackers, need these as I am type I diabetic)
-bottles
-formula
-h20 bottles (frozen from the night before)
-light blanket for youngest ds
-sunscreen
-ponchos x 5
-sometimes pack a light lunch (a penny saved is a penny for a nice character meal)
So, as you can see. I guess we could camp, but at least, I'm prepared. As for the original question. We put the backpack on the stroller. I wear a fanny pack. I, too, am looking for a fanny pack for little ones. Still haven't found one yet.So, there stuff either goes in the BIG back pack or under the stroller. It works for us. Good luck finding the fanny packs, if you find any be sure to post, enquiring minds want to know.

Hi this is our first trip with DD's inhaler and aerochamber. How do you keep yours cool? We are going in May and I am worried about it getting to hot. Can we just keep in DH fanny bag?

Thanks

 

[sl_underwood]

Last year we bought each of our girls a cellphone holder with a wallet attached to it for holding their cell phones, room keys and money. We had everything sent back to our hotel and dh or I carried a small waterproof backpack (about the size of a backpack purse but manly enough my dh would carry it) which held ponchos, 2 water bottles, sunscreen, a small first aid kit, and my wallet ad cell phone. When we rode a water ride everyone put their items in the backpack and it worked well.

 

[nuts4wdw]

Hi this is our first trip with DD's inhaler and aerochamber. How do you keep yours cool? We are going in May and I am worried about it getting to hot. Can we just keep in DH fanny bag?

Thanks

Hi, I just put ours in the bottom of the back pack. Somewhere it will not be directly hit by the sun. We've never had a problem.

 

[LilBlackSheep]

On our last visit, I had a fannie pack that only had my stuff in it (camera, tickets and sunglasses). If your kids want to bring anything along, get them their own fanny pack, as backpacks can be left behind or lost too easily.

 

[dzorn]

I usually carry a backpack that is fairly large, because DD has food allergies. I always carry extra snacks. She is a very pick eater so I need to carry her food.

Denise in MI

 

[scrapperjill]

I say if your set on having the kids carry their own items...then fanny packs would be the best option. Simpley because we all know how kids can be....as well as alot of adults Getting busy..setting something down then walking away from it....Having something like a backpack or shoulder bag IMO is just asking for it to be left someplace sometime during the trip (on a ride, at a resturant, in line, while shopping...the list goes on). That being said...our kids wore fanny packs last time which held their autograph book, pen, some gum and a snack or two. And they worked perfectly the whole trip.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I just resign myself to carrying any items we bring into the park-although we seriously limit what is brought in to begin with. I figure I would carry a purse most places, so a small bag will not kill me in Disney. I used a Baggalini this last trip and it was wonderful...small enough to tote around, yet large enough to fit what we needed. I don't have my kids carry anything. I tried that with the fanny packs a few years ago (like OP, I had to cut and sew ours to fit children's waists), but they still would take things out and then leave them somewhere...cause they are too excited. So I also have to be alert and on mom duty. I hold it all and when they need something, I dole it out, then I promptly collect it back when its not needed anymore. It comes down to comfort and what works for you as a family.

 

[hollyb]

Hi, I just put ours in the bottom of the back pack. Somewhere it will not be directly hit by the sun. We've never had a problem.

Thanks for the advice. I was told to put it in a cooler, we tried that over the weekend, even though it was away from the direct ice packs. When we went to use it I could tell the mist was very hard to pump out.

Have a great day!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Thanks for the advice. I was told to put it in a cooler, we tried that over the weekend, even though it was away from the direct ice packs. When we went to use it I could tell the mist was very hard to pump out.

Have a great day!

DS has severe asthma (we travel with his nebulizer too) and he just carries his inhaler and turbohaler (effectively the same thing as an aerochamber) in his cargo shorts pockets. Never an issue and he uses it multiple times per day.

I was always told by the dr that the inhalers can't tolerate temperature extremes. Maybe the cold from the cooler crystallized the mist to a degree.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

Last year was our first time and I did not know what to take so I tried to take everything. My backpach was so full it wasnt even funny, this year I am cuttig way down and taking only the bare essentials, but I will most likely still be carrying the backpack. I am more than willing to pay a bit more for something in the park that I may or may not need instead of carrying it. I think this year I will be limited to the following items.

Camera
Autograph book
Change of clothes for my 4 yr old
Sunscreen (my son and wife are really pale)
Itinary, park map etc

 

[Mouse House Mama]

The kids will fit in the backpacks easier. It's hard to stuff them in those little fanny packs!

Okay- I couldn't help myself so forgive me.
Honestly I think you are taking way too much stuff. We have 3 small kids and we take less than you. We don't even take a bakcpack,fanny pack, diaper bag etc. Park tickets, room keys, money etc. go in dh's pocket. We are still in diaper stage so we throw a few diapers and wipes in the carriage and the camera and sunscreen. If we didn't have the carriage I would just take a really small bag. Good luck!

 

[hollyb]

DS has severe asthma (we travel with his nebulizer too) and he just carries his inhaler and turbohaler (effectively the same thing as an aerochamber) in his cargo shorts pockets. Never an issue and he uses it multiple times per day.

I was always told by the dr that the inhalers can't tolerate temperature extremes. Maybe the cold from the cooler crystallized the mist to a degree.

Thanks I think we are going to just keep in DH fanny pack. I am hoping she won;t need it but can never take the chance of not having it with us.