What bag to take with little kids?

[koima]

I'm going to Disney World with a 1 year old and a 4 year old, and with diapers, bottles, snacks, and changes of clothes for both of the little guys, taking everything we need in a fanny pack or small cross-body bag isn't practical. My diaper bag is so big as to not be practical to carry around all day. I'll have a double stroller from home, so I can put some things in it, but don't really want to leave anything important in the stroller while we're on rides, so a compact but roomy bag recommendation is needed! What do you take to the park when you have little kids?

DH recommended a backpack, which would work but seems awfully big and bulky.

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

Check out this thread, although I think a lot of the posts are for people not carrying a lot of kid items.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1855851

 

[Fletch3rd]

I would love to know a good bag to have with kids too. I checked out the other "bag thread" and saw some cute ones, but I too need a bag for bottles, snacks, diapers, change of clothes...for dd1 and ds3. I would like to find one that was somewhat waterproof or at least not cloth.

 

[MJAJmom]

When you have a little one, it makes it harder to be "stylish" with your bag selection. For my trip last April with DS3 and DS6, my 3yo was still in diapers so I carreed a smaller sized backpack. Mostly because of diapers/wipes. I put a change of clothes for both in a ziploc and left it in the stroller. I put extra diapers in a ziploc in the stroller and only carried 2-3 in the backpack. I had small snacks for him, sippy cup, tissues, etc in there. I never leave anything of value in the stroller, just the extra diapers and change of clothes. If you use a ziploc instead of a diaper bag or shopping sack, then everyone can see that there's nothing to steal here.

I liked the backpack because I felt I had more to carry, was very comfortable and balanced, and left my arms totally free (mostly to carry DS3). There are lots of backpacks that are smaller and lightweight.

For my oct trip, DS3 was now potty trained. So I upgraded to a baggallini messenger bag. That was great because I had a little bit less to carry around. I still had a stroller and left the change of clothes in it.

Have fun selecting a bag!!

 

[riley2008]

I second the backpack. They come in all sizes, so you can get a smaller one. I would reccommend that you look for one with two cup/bottle holders - one on each side. (Some only have one.)

If you are worried about needing something waterproof, you can always spray the backpack with water repellant. You can find it in the tent section of Walmart and sporting goods stores.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

after attending a local kids hospital fair this weekend and dragging my oh so beautiful "tigger is that you? " bag around with clothes, snacks, wallet, money and diaper and wipes my shoudlers were killing me- and we were only there for four hrs if that!!! i will for sure be taking a back pack with us for these things at dis.

 

[aestapa]

I know you mentioned that you didn't want to leave much in the stroller, but I thought I'd share what we do.

We have a double stroller as well, and use the Skip Hop Duo. It is designed for double strollers. We keep all the extra clothes, ponchos, diapers etc in that, which stays on the stroller. Fleurville makes a "Daddy Diaper Backpack" if you want to go the backpack route....I'm sure others would be just fine too. You can see that here: http://www.ashberrybaby.com/item_1329/DJ-Bag-in-Chocolate-Ballistic.htm

Then, we take one of the small diaper clutches, which is just large enough for a diaper, wipes etc. Its easy to remove from the bag for rides or potty breaks, but doesn't weigh much. Fleurville again makes a lightweight one. They are sold all over, but here is one place: http://www.ashberrybaby.com/item_1353/Re-Run-MicroPod-in-Olive.htm

We are one of those families that comes very prepared ot the parks...we will probably miss the days of having a stroller!! But, I hate to carry stuff, so I keep as much as possible in the stroller bag.