Must have items when in the world with preschoolers...?

[passiflora45]

It's our first visit to Disney, and we're starting to make our packing lists. I've read a few posts here, and in some blogs, but want to hear from DIS parents about what items they wouldn't dream of leaving behind when heading out to the parks.

 

[nj disney family]

snacks. anything that will occupy them while waiting in lines(phones, games, coloring books, etc.)

 

[atomik_momma]

snacks and a drink, wet wipes for after the snack. and if we're talking under the age of four, a stroller or carrier.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

SNACKS and drinks. Before I leave home, I put tons of snacks into mini ziplock bags and then pack the ziplock bags in tupperware so the snacks don't get smashed in my luggage. Then before the park each day, I put a bunch of the ziplocks into my park bag.

I pack things like: fruit snacks, cereal, pretzels, goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, etc.

 

[roseaster]

Wipes, a change of clothes, sunscreen.

 

[Thing 1]

Not much. Mine are older now but past the toddler/diaper stage we truly took very little. We have a peanut allergy kid so we took wipes to clean everything, his epi pens and a few fruit snack packs but not much more. We had our cell phones of course but the only time we would hand them to him was if we had a long wait for food.

 

[holden]

1. snacks (goldfish, cereal, etc) in cups/containers with lids
2. drink
3. change of clothes (even if you don't think you'll need it - kids might want to play in fountains in Epcot or spill a drink, for example)
4. hat/sunglasses
5. sunscreen (spray/stick)
6. new small dollar store type toys/sticker books, etc. to keep them busy in restaurants/in line
7. stroller - even if they want to walk...they will get tired
8. patience

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

Baby wipes, hat, thermos sippy,
Sunblock, grandparents.

 

[here757]

Patience!

 

[wilkeliza]

Fair warning not a parent just a aunt but this is what has gone with us on vacations with the 3-4 crowd.

Snacks that you know your little one likes.

My sister-in-law brought glow bracelets and necklaces for night time when our nephew was just shy of 3. It kept him entertained at night and he didn't beg for an of the other light up toys. (not that he is usually a beggar. This kid literately never asks for anything and is such an easy going kid)

A lovey that they won't freak out if it gets lost. This was so if they wanted to nap in the stroller they still had a comfort item. We call them loveys and they are just those small little blanket things kids seem to like. Never their favorite but one that will do. Not all preschoolers will nap but we have a trooper of a napper who at 5 will still pass out around 2 for at least an hour.

Change of clothes. Even the best potty trained kid can have accidents in all the excitement. Besides potty accidents they may just get dirty and if your kid is anything like my nephew he does not like dirty clothes. He is using the extra pair less and less but it is a good idea to have for the 3-4 crowd but maybe not needed for the 5s.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

One thing we brought - that my son loves even now, were quarters and pennies for the "Squishing machine". This was a great distraction, and he would keep looking for them all over the parks. helped when we got to rides they were too little for, they could look for as many penny squishers in the area while the adults road the rides. Perked them up out of bad moods because they would never know which one they could get at the machine. DS just pulled some of his squished pennies out to take to show and tell at preschool, he's gotten them out several times and has told me about where they came from and the stories he remembers that go with them.

we also brought little bubble tubes, colors and paper (small pad and only a couple crayons), snacks, and the double stroller we rented was a great idea too!

 

[JessicaH]

definitely hit up the dollar spot at Target and stock up on little toys and trinkets. The glow sticks are a great deal (compared to the overpriced light up toys for sale at the park)!!!

 

[Lupeix]

Definitely a change of clothes, favorite snacks and the pennies for the machines. DS went nuts for the machines on our last trip (he was 5). Make sure you have a good napping stroller (yours or rented), bring a water bottle to refill often. I did the glowstick and dollar store stuff and it didn't work. The stuff at Disney looked so much better to DS (it really is, can't blame him). I was glad I had a Disney Gift card with money budgeted for that, the souvenirs are part of the Magic. From now on I will make sure I always have pre-paid trinket money

 

[glk2009]

Ditto everything else posted above... I also brought a few Ziploc bags for wet clothes (or leftover snacks)and a small washcloth to dry off if the kidlets ever encountered the splash pad areas.

 

[MouseOfCards]

One thing we brought - that my son loves even now, were quarters and pennies for the "Squishing machine". This was a great distraction, and he would keep looking for them all over the parks. helped when we got to rides they were too little for, they could look for as many penny squishers in the area while the adults road the rides. Perked them up out of bad moods because they would never know which one they could get at the machine. DS just pulled some of his squished pennies out to take to show and tell at preschool, he's gotten them out several times and has told me about where they came from and the stories he remembers that go with them.

we also brought little bubble tubes, colors and paper (small pad and only a couple crayons), snacks, and the double stroller we rented was a great idea too!

Are the pennies a swallow hazard for little ones? Is there a minimum age for this?

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

My children, who have been known to eat buttons, had no interest in trying the pressed pennies. Still, we pressed, admired, and then stored in Mommy's bag for safekeeping.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

well my son was 4 and we pressed and put them away for safe keeping and admiration. My daughter was almost 2 and she could help choose the penny, but didn't get to hold onto it without us watching her. They could admire for a bit and then we'd put them in our special bag and head on to our next adventure.

 

[wilkeliza]

Are the pennies a swallow hazard for little ones? Is there a minimum age for this?

You can buy a press penny holder book and then just let the kids choose the penny and you take it and slip it in the book and they they can look at it while it is in the book but never out of your sight.

 

[Figmentmommy]

In addition to a change of clothes and wipes, I suggest bringing your own toilet seat covers. I loved the Potty Toppers brand which can be found at Babies r Us or Amazon. They are much bigger than the thin ones found inside the stalls and they have a waterproof backing for added protection. They also have the option to stick to the toilet if needed. My kids are way beyond using these at this point but I'll confess that I still carry them in my bag for traveling where I know I may have to use a less than desirable public restroom! What once was for my kids is now for Mom!

 

[wilkeliza]

Oh I just remembered one!

If your toddler is scared of self flushing toilets (a lot are) make sure you bring post it notes! Before your toddler sits down put the post it over the sensor and it will think it is blocked so won't flush. That way your kids can wiggle or do whatever the need to go and it isn't going to flush while they are on it.
Just make sure you remember to take it off when your little one is done.

Off topic for a moment but I hate the self flushing as an adult but the big concert/sports venue by me has awesome touch free but not automatic toilets. So you have to wave your hand over the top sensor to activate the flush instead of it doing it itself and it works so much better!