Have ever made your kids carry backpacks?

[spoiled_momma]

Hi there last time we went in dec the kids then 8 and 5 carried fanny packs with there disney dollars and autographbooks and snacks in them I carried a big fanny pack and DH carried a back pack with extra sweatshirts, gloves and stuff like that for the kids, since it was dec and got cold at night.. We usually put the back pack in a locker and went back for it later..


This Dec the kids will be 12 and 9 and I was thinking of making them carry there own backpacks with there stuff in it. that way we dont have to get a locker..

has anyone ever made there kids carry a backpack or should I stick with the fanny pack for them?

thanks

 

[DVCLiz]

We use a family backpack - we bought it at WDW one year and it has the Disney characters embroidered on it. We pack a wallet with tickets and money, three ponchos, three umbrellas and a guidebook. We carry Pal Mickey, although I must confess he sometimes gets wadded up in the backpack and he sometimes gets left in the hotel room toward the end of the trip!

We have a zippered pouch in the backpack that holds the wallet, along with a small tube of sunscreen and sunglasses for anybody not actually wearing them. That's all we take to the parks - we never take food, snacks or drinks, but buy as we go instead. Too heavy for us to carry around all day!

DDs 16 and 11 take turns wearing the backpack, and I occasionally take a turn too. It seems to work well for us!

In cold weather, we all wear coats, etc. as needed and usually have gloves and scarves in our coat pockets. We've never been when it was iffy about coat-wearing, so we've never stored them - it has always been cold ebough to know you would need them all day and in the evening too.

We might have to add a second backpack if our supplies increase, and in that case each DD would carry one and I would relieve them throughout the day!

 

[ep4244]

My girls do (they're 7 and 9), but only because they want to. They got tired of me limiting the number of times they could pull me over backwards to reach in and get something.

I found these great backpacks that about half the size of a regular backpack and they are just right for the girls to carry all their essentials (sunglasses, money, cellphone, extra socks, rain poncho, autograph books).

 

[ep4244]

oops - posted twice

 

[buzz2400]

I don't make my ds carry a backpack. I carry one and sometimes he will take it for me. I think it would be a hassle if he had one when we go on rides and then I would end up with it so I feel it is easier to carry just one. I would just make them wear their fanny packs and every now and then ask them to carry the "family" backpack.

 

[vicb]

I haven't so far but last trip DD then 11 carried a small shoulder slung purse in which she kept her own camera (we didn't do autograph books that trip), pins, gum, wallet. It was a help. Generally speaking I don't make my kids carry anything other than their own coat/sweatshirt which they can tie around their waist if necessary. DH or I carry a small fanny or back pack.

 

[NCombs]

Our kids took turn carrying the family backpack last year with the husband and I. It was the sling kind which has one strap that comes across your chest. I wore a fanny pack in addition to that.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd has been traveling with me since she was 5, now almost 12. She lugs/carries her own stuff. She has her own carry-on for our flights and she carrys it herself. When at WDW, if she wants/needs something, then she figures out how to carry it. She usually wears a fanny pack. she has her chap-stick, autograph book/pen, poncho, Disney Dollars all in there. Maybe a snack or two. My dh wears his fanny pack (only in WDW!!!) and I have mine.

 

[MinnieFan]

In the past we've had DS14 carry the family backpack, which is not heavy - just light jackets and a bottle of sunscreen. But this year we did rent a locker at each park so that no one would have to carry the back pack on rides.

 

[SuJo]

We do the family backpack as well. My DH carries that one around and it has the rain ponchoes, cameras, tickets, etc... in it. My two DDs each have their own fanny pack that contains their autograph book, pen, a disposable camera, gum, and a small snack. I found it easier to have them carry their autograph books that way if someone is taking someone to the restroom and they run into a character, they have their autograph book with them. It has saved me many times and the girls love having their own stuff.

SuJo

 

[missminniemouse]

On our trip this past December, both kids had small sized backpacks. DD9 used hers part of the time while DS5 usually wasn't that interested in using his. They don't drag too much stuff into the parks with them other than DD's camera. The backpack gave them a place to put their jacket if it was warm enough, which it wasn't most of the time. Mostly their stuff ends up in the family backpack, which I carry or in DH's camera bag. I'm hoping that on future trips they'll use their own backpacks more. This was sort of a trial run for us.

 

[momsgoofy]

On our last trip to WDW, DS was 11 and he didn't plan to carry a backpack until I told him repeatedly, "I'm not a pack mule...I am your mother!!" Well, he decided to take the bright red backpack I use for the plane...have a small, shoe bag size one I carry in the parks...and used it. He found out it was easier than trying to shove stuff...autograph book, pen, hat, sunglasses, his own bottle of water, etc...things that I refuse to carry for him and DH. Also it made it easy to spot him as he wandered throught the crowds a bit ahead of DH and me.

 

[maxaroni]

Last 2 times, dh and I had fanny packs with ds using his occasionally. This time, we are using a family backpack (small), if ds wants to take anything that doesn't fit, it's his responsibility.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I carried one and made our son carry one in November. Of course he left it in the arcade at CSR once! Got talked to a long time....
He'll be carrying it again, though next month, too. It's bigger than my new one, and can carry my drinks and Passporter.
Kim

 

[crazymomof4]

Oh Yes!

We've got 4 kids so you can imagine all of the stuff we bring in... snacks, cameras, Brita bottles, etc. etc. I love my kids but I'm not a pack mule.
Besides, DS 13 and 15 are both way bigger than I am! They carried their own stuff on our 2003 trip and will do so again this Sept. This coming trip DS #3 wil be 8.5 yrs old so, he will have his own backpack too. DD 4 is a peanut (29 lbs, soaking wet!) so DH and I will carry her stuff.