Do you let your kids carry things into the parks?

[alayne]

Recently my Mom offered to by my DD9 and DD11 a few things at the mall. The girls wanted their items in their own bag and my DD9 insisted on carrying her own bag after numerous attempts explaining how important it was that she keep up with the bag. In the end she left the bag in a store and when she realized it the bag was gone. It was hard but she learned her listen and has never asked to carry her own bags or bring a purse with her shopping.

I told the kids I would carry thier wallet, autograph book and disposable camera in my backpack. However, I was not carrying anything else. My DD11 wants to carry her purse with her money, camera, and "other junk items" to the parks. I have tried to explain that she isn't going to want to carry this all day and that if she losses it I'm not giving her any money. She is still insisting she needs to take her own purse.

I know I'm the parent and I can just say No, but I really don't want to have to start the trip out with a big No and fight.

Do you let your kids carry things into the parks?

Any tips on how to change her mind and let it seem like it was her decision in the end.

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

My oldest 2 DDs carry fanny packs or mini back packs (the fanny packs seem to work better) with their wallets, cameras, and auotgraph books themsleves. They have done really well with keeping up with them. We've only had one lost once on a ride and when we went to guest services it was there.

 

[ratlenhum]

I would get them fanny packs, something they don't have to take off or put down at any point. Whatever they can fit in the fanny pack, they can carry, but mom carries money just in case

 

[mecllap]

I vote for compromise: Cargo shorts; fanny packs; or small string backpacks. Only one day's worth of money. Not their Keycard.

 

[natashag76]

If DD insists on a purse rather than a backpack or fanny pack, perhaps a cross strap purse will keep her happy? My 2 oldest, 7 and 5 carry their own stuff (except for $$) in a fanny pack or pockets. I make them do it Otherwise I'm buried under cameras, sunglasses, gum, etc....

 

[CampbellScot]

Another designated "pack mule" here! I always seem to end up carrying everybody's whathaveyou by the end of the day. I think it's important for kids to have some responsibility for their things as they get older.

My step daughter started carrying a cross body bag at the parks when she was 8. She carried her autograph book and a pen and some chapstick and her disposable camera. Not a lot but enough for her to be "responsible" for her "things". Her dad carried her money. He still does. She's about to be 12. She is totally capable of carrying her own wallet and money at this point and usually she does, but at Disney we just keep their money with us just to be safe. My step son is 9. He has never carried anything in the parks. This is b/c he has the attention span of a gnat. He is very much like his father. In a place like Disney World with constant sensory bombardment it's all he can do just to keep track of his own body and where it is! Being responsible for a bag to carry around is beyond his current ability.

So basically it really depends on the kiddo. It's easier for girls b/c most girls like purses and with a cross body bag they don't have to think about it. They don't have to take it off their body for any reason really. Vera Bradley's Mini Hipster is PERFECT for a park bag. It fits what little a young girl would need...and Vera Bradley is all the rage in the tween set! My step daughter has two and has been saving up her allowance for another one...and leaving hints for her birthday all over the house!

Also, Lesportsac makes a really good park bag for young girls as well, the Kasey. My step daughter used that last summer. She loved it and it carried all she needed. They are usually on sale at Macy's. Lots of cute prints!!

 

[ldvcshop]

I think it is great to let kids be responsible; however, I see your concern over the items getting lost. We have a friend whose child lost his DS and all his games in an airport on the outbound trip. Now, that was unfortunate. Our boys don't usually carry much, but they each have at least a hat and water bottle holder. Boys are lucky because they have big pockets on those cargo shorts. I buy the shorts with the most secure pockets so they can put their electronics in them for safekeeping. The more convenient it is to stow the less likely that they will forget something on a ride, etc.

I like the crossbody bags since you can sling it around to the front when you sit in a ride without taking it off. Personally, for years I used a fanny pack then a backpack and now I carry a real purse. I feel all grown up with my lovely purse, but it is not as convenient as the other two.

When things get lost there is actually something gained...being a very forgetful child myself, I learned to try to remember. Each time my children make a mistake I keep reminding myself that it is better to learn lessons now and learn how to prevent mishaps.

My oldest is extremely forgetful, after loosing 6 jackets in one school year, but one day, he may get better and if not, at least he knows not to buy expensive jackets. Ha Ha.

Maybe let her carry some things in the bag, but not everything that is valuable. Unfortunately lost autograph books are priceless. Good luck, you seem to be asking all the right questions. and have fun!

 

[dragonfly08]

If we do autograph books, they can carry those. I make sure I have a large water bottle that we can all share. Other than that, they can't bring anything because by the end of the day I'll be carrying it!

 

[alayne]

These are all great ideas and tips. Lucky for me our first day is at Epcot and my kids love the World Showcase. I think I'm going to get her the Vera Bradley Hipster and let her carry her Passport Book, Autograph Book, Pressed Penny Money, Disposable camera and any other items she can fit and wants to take. I'll keep all money. This way it will give her a chance to see if she wants to do it everyday.

 

[growinupdisney]

When my kids were 7 and 5 they had their fanny pack they would wear. They would have a snack or two in there, sunglasses, gameboy, and anything else they wante dthat would fit. But I kept their $ and ticket/room key.

They last few years my ds13 has had a draw string backpack(that he actually bought at WDW) he now keeps his $$, light jacket and snack with him. My dd16 has a vera bradly backpack she keeps the same as my son witha few extras. I still keep there room key/tickets! They only time I will hold or carry their bag is when the want to ride a water ride and I don't tehn I will hold it or put in the stroller otherwise they have to hold and be responsible for.

 

[cadd10]

My kids will be 7 and 5 this year. Do you remember what sizeor brand fanny pack your kids used when they were that age? The strap on some of them seem very long - even too long for me!

I have been debating whether or not to let them carry their "stuff". It is nice to see I am not alone.

 

[guarn3md]

My DS9 carries his own bag. He has used a string backpack and a small crossbody backpack - made by FUL. He carries his autograph book, pen, camera, pin lanyard, trading pins and he always has to pick up maps (even though we have been many times and don't need a map). He doesn't carry his money - we do. I also stopped having him bring cash. He gives us the cash before a trip and I buy him a gift card from the Disney store and then he uses that throughout the trip. DS knows that he is responsible for his bag and does a good job keeping up with it.
Hope this helps!
Debbie

 

[ccgirl]

Recently my Mom offered to by my DD9 and DD11 a few things at the mall. The girls wanted their items in their own bag and my DD9 insisted on carrying her own bag after numerous attempts explaining how important it was that she keep up with the bag. In the end she left the bag in a store and when she realized it the bag was gone. It was hard but she learned her listen and has never asked to carry her own bags or bring a purse with her shopping.

I told the kids I would carry thier wallet, autograph book and disposable camera in my backpack. However, I was not carrying anything else. My DD11 wants to carry her purse with her money, camera, and "other junk items" to the parks. I have tried to explain that she isn't going to want to carry this all day and that if she losses it I'm not giving her any money. She is still insisting she needs to take her own purse.

I know I'm the parent and I can just say No, but I really don't want to have to start the trip out with a big No and fight.

Do you let your kids carry things into the parks?

Any tips on how to change her mind and let it seem like it was her decision in the end.

I bought my DD8 a fanny pack. That way I don't have to worry about her leaving it behind. I do not let her carry all her cash. Only $15 all in $1 bills (that way she "thinks" she has more). But, she has her chap stick, a notepad, pen etc. in there. I think it works much better than a purse.

To answer a PP, I think it was Target I got it at and it was for children. You could also purchase an adult one and sew the excess so it can pull tighter. I didn't want to do all that work so I just purchased the child size one.

 

[ILuvMulan]

My kids have always carried their own small backpacks with their autograph books, pins, etc. But they do get to be a pain when you have to take them on and off all day to ride. I think we may go the fanny pack route next trip. Last year was the first year I let them carry their own money (they are 11,
11,and 13). I must say, that we only had one mishap and luckily it turned out well.

 

[kwdw]

Recently my Mom offered to by my DD9 and DD11 a few things at the mall. The girls wanted their items in their own bag and my DD9 insisted on carrying her own bag after numerous attempts explaining how important it was that she keep up with the bag. In the end she left the bag in a store and when she realized it the bag was gone. It was hard but she learned her listen and has never asked to carry her own bags or bring a purse with her shopping.

I told the kids I would carry thier wallet, autograph book and disposable camera in my backpack. However, I was not carrying anything else. My DD11 wants to carry her purse with her money, camera, and "other junk items" to the parks. I have tried to explain that she isn't going to want to carry this all day and that if she losses it I'm not giving her any money. She is still insisting she needs to take her own purse.

I know I'm the parent and I can just say No, but I really don't want to have to start the trip out with a big No and fight.

Do you let your kids carry things into the parks?

Any tips on how to change her mind and let it seem like it was her decision in the end.

Laughing because I remember being that age and wanting to carry my own stuff and look more adult!!!! Especially at the mall....

I'd make the compromise be either a cross body bag, fanny pack, or string backpack - make sure it's lightweight and make sure she practices wearing it with the stuff she wants to put it in for at least a couple hours. Let her keep a few dollars with her so she could quickly buy a small snack or trinket without bothering you - but you keep the bulk of her money and park tickets. Refuse to carry it at all during a park day. Be clear that your offer to carry the basics still stands if she wants to leave the bag behind the next day - but don't compromise in the middle of the day unless the crankiness is impossible to deal with.

Humorously - I am now a "cargo" shorts for girls traveler. Did the small cross body bag - too heavy/awkward. Did the fanny pack - don't like looking like a complete dork in all my photos and now realize I can fit everything into the pockets of cargo shorts. Bonus - NO bag line to enter the parks! The shorts can still make me look a little dorky - but bag free is just awesome!

 

[natashag76]

My kids will be 7 and 5 this year. Do you remember what sizeor brand fanny pack your kids used when they were that age? The strap on some of them seem very long - even too long for me!

I have been debating whether or not to let them carry their "stuff". It is nice to see I am not alone.

I bought all of us Everest fanny packs on Amazon. Kids got the the kids size, we got the adult ones. We still use them any time we go to WDW, Six Flags, etc.

The straps can be a bit long for smaller kids. DH wrapped it around somehow and then everyone was happy.

Good luck!

 

[Virtucomp]

We let them carry sunglasses, a disposable camera (a while ago) and a hat. I always have the cards since I'm the fast pass runner anyway. I think they had a little money but definately not a lot.

 

[Kelblum]

This year, we let me 10yo DD carry a bag with her camera, autograph book and cell phone. She actually did really well with it and we didn't have any problems.

 

[emo6565]

I only let my kids carry things that it will not upset ME to lose. They trade off is, they can carry a bag but I get to decide what goes in it. Have fun.

 

[rileysmommy]

My dd (9) wants to carry her own bag this year. This will be our first trip with no stroller and I'm only bringing a small crossbody bag for myself. She got an American Girl crafts crossbody bag for Christmas and we realized that it will be perfect for her to carry her camera, autograph book, lanyard and extra pins. She wants to carry her Disney giftcards but I am putting my foot down and saying no on that one. I can just see what will happen if she lost all her money on the first day. She's very excited about it.