Outings with toddlers: important tips for your family trips

Making the most of free family time and going on outings together makes both children's and parents' hearts beat faster. There is an almost unlimited number of excursion destinations, that you can visit.

In addition to animal parks, children's farms, amusement parks and adventure or water play areas, there are also more budget-friendly activities like small micro-adventures right outside your own front door, which are sure to delight your little explorers.

The best thing about outings with toddlers is the time spent together that all family members share. Only you as a family matter in such moments that will stay with you forever. That especially strengthens the family togetherness. For planning your family trips it is therefore all the more important that you consciously set aside time and that fun always comes first.

Outings are also learning situations, because your children learn a lot about nature. Unconsciously they absorb all the new knowledge about the animal and plant world up, which helps them understand the big world outside their own front door much better. Perhaps you as parents may also learn a thing or two.

So that a family outing becomes a complete success, the outing planning is particularly important. Besides the consciously scheduled time, above all there are the selection of excursion destinations and also making a list of all required items important points of the preparation phase for your day trips.

As a rule, you should always decide on your excursion destinations in advance together with your children. However, always keep in mind that desired places, in the best case, are child-friendly.

Especially for toddlers you probably still have buggies and strollers in tow so they can rest during an exciting day. The equipment as well as your provisions and everything else you want to take with you, depends significantly on the age of your kids.

However, one thing is always top priority in preparation: fun. Plan your next family trips with great anticipation and spend unforgettable family moments together.

Out and about with babies: what you should pay attention to

You can already embark on first outings with babies. Especially in the first months of life there are a few tips to keep in mind, that will make your family outing a real success. Especially important for planning outings with babies is the choice of clothing as well as packing a diaper bag.

So that babies tolerate the temperature change from inside to outside well, you should start with short walks and then gradually increase. You should pay particular attention to slightly warmer clothing. The best option for this is the so-called layered look, which allows you to react to different conditions and accordingly take off or put on a layer for your kids. When Dressing babies in spring, summer or autumn there are various aspects that you can pay attention to and read about on the relevant HABA topic pages.

Excursion destinations should generally be stroller-friendly. While babies experience most of the outing from their stroller, buggies and the like are also important for toddlers. Because after extensive walks and long, eventful outings on playgrounds or in leisure parks they often get tired, so they may want to spend short breaks or the way back only in the stroller.

Popular excursion destinations & micro-adventures with toddlers

Whether when hiking with children, extensive play sessions on playgrounds – outdoor as well as indoor – or bigger adventures like an exploration tour on an adventure trail and first encounters with great animals, outings are for children huge highlights that make them beam with excitement.

Besides the classic excursion destinations like zoos, animal parks, amusement parks and swimming pools, small micro-adventures are also special experiences that let your toddlers as well as the older kids enjoy themselves.

Thus, even your own garden with the right garden games can become a play paradise where young and old can really let off steam. Outings with toddlers are also not necessarily dependent on the weather. There are great possibilities in every season, for the family to explore the world. Whether autumn activities with children in the fresh air or rather creative alternatives for at home – the ideas couldn't be more diverse.

What you can specifically do and experience on the go with your little explorers? HABA has the best activities for children as well as the most important tips for outing planning summarized on the relevant topic page. Let yourself be inspired and happily plan your next family trips.

Family outing with toddlers: What should be on the packing list

Once you've chosen your destination and set additional conditions for your family trip, it's time for the detailed planning and listing of your equipment and provisions.

What exactly you should pack, depends, however, heavily on your destination, the duration of your trip and the age of your children. For toddlers you usually need additional spare clothes or other little aids to ensure you are well provided for at all times. So that you have a good overview of the essential items you get, HABA has created an overview here that you can use as a guide.

Suitable snacks:

• Puree/spoon biscuits

• \rfilled rolls/bread

• \rpretzels & pretzel sticks

• \rnuts

• \rcookies or sweet pastries

• \rraw vegetables

• \rmeatballs & other savory bites

Basic equipment:

• Food boxes & lunchboxes

• Water bottles

• \rdrink pouches

• \rnapkins

• \rwashcloths or wet wipes

• \rburp cloths

• \rinsect repellent

• UV protection & emergency first-aid kit

• \rtrash bags

• \rspare diapers

• \rwaterproof changing mat

• Spare clothing/UV-protective clothing

• Games

• Buggies & carriers

Changing on the go: How to pack diaper bags for your outing

Depending on how long you're out with your children, you may need to change one or another diaper or just swap clothing. So that this doesn't turn into a challenge, there are a few tips to keep in mind already when packing the diaper bag.

Packed cleverly, you're halfway there, so you should always first keep in mind what you need. Because: depending on the length of your family trip, the contents can vary. Also keep in mind that you usually don't have changing rooms or tables available while out and about. So depending on the destination, the bench on the playground or the back seat in the car will have to serve as a changing spot. Then it's all the more important, besides spare clothes, burp cloths and wet wipes, to also have a changing mat on hand.

Your diaper bag should ideally provide structured storage of diapers and co. Ideally it has several compartments so that you can store diapers, wet wipes and creams in one area and spare clothing in another area. Soiled clothing should in turn also be able to be stored in a separate compartment when you're on the go. Sort everything into the diaper bag in the order you will need to use the items later.. On the go, for example, you will first need the changing mat. This should always be placed at the top of the bag so it's within easy reach.

Tip: Packing in order makes the effort much easier for you.

Out and about with toddlers: perfectly equipped for every outing

You can set out on a family outing in any season and in any weather. Whether it's raining, storming or the sun is shining – with the right equipment you'll have a great family time anywhere. What you need for your outing and which tips you should keep in mind for outings on warmer days, HABA has compiled in this overview of the right equipment collected for you.

Outdoor clothing – ready for any weather

There are suitable garments for every weather condition. So you don't have to miss out on your great outdoor outings if the weather doesn't turn out as expected. Whether stylish rainwear or warming vests for stormy days – in the HABA range you'll find a diverse selection of breathable and modern outdoor clothing. There's something for every taste.

Browse the online shop and choose the right garments for your children so that nothing stands in the way of your next family outing.

Practical backpacks for outings with toddlers

Plenty of provisions, games and other explorer toys should of course also be stored well for the big family exploration trip. Backpacks are the optimal choice here, as they are often more comfortable and more robust than most bags and also look great. HABA's children's backpacks impress with their high-quality craftsmanship and are available in many different colors and designs.

Browse the HABA range and pick the best backpacks for your family outings.

Perfect travel first aid kit for toddlers

During your preparations you should write the travel first aid kit down as one of the most important items on your list.

In unfamiliar environments, toddlers can sometimes fever, rashes or minor injuries have, so that you need to act immediately.

But what belongs in the travel first aid kit? HABA has compiled on the topic page the most important information as well as helpful tips summarized that will make your trip planning easier.

Protect children's skin properly from UV radiation

Playing, romping and splashing on hot summer days creates wonderful memories.

So that you can enjoy your outings in sunny weather to the fullest, you should protect your kids' delicate skin proactivelyOn the sun protection page, HABA has

ten valuable tips compiled for you and answered the most frequently asked questions/magazine/family-life/health-care/sun-protection-for-babies-and-toddlersOn the sun protection page, HABA has

the car ride becomes a fun affair Activities for toddlers in the car

The family outing is coming up and the anticipation of all family members can hardly be contained. If only it weren't

the seemingly endless car ride to the chosen destinationTo prevent it from being defined by pure boredom and little pests in the back seat, there are various ways to keep your toddlers occupied during the journey and thus shorten the waiting time. With the right On the sun protection page, HABA has

/magazine/leisure-creativity/travel/car-games-for-kids – and that's for young and old. Whether tricky memory games or other /magazine/leisure-creativity/playing/family-game-ideas, which can be implemented with only a few or no materials at all – games for toddlers couldn't be more varied. Besides the /magazine/leisure-creativity/playing/playing-with-children there are also calmer alternatives such as audiobooks or a playlist with favorite songs of your kids. They help calm already heated tempers or possibly encourage a nap.No outing planned? Keeping toddlers busy at home

If you don't plan to go on outings with your toddlers in the near future, there are

many different alternatives, with which you can keep your kids creatively occupied or simply let them romp around wildly.HABA has collected which activities are particularly popular with children here for you:

Playing & romping indoors with toddlers

Do your kids rather belong to the

/magazine/leisure-creativity/playing/games-for-homebodies, who are hardly enthusiastic about playing outside? No reason to be sad, angry or disappointed. Because the

mobility of your little ones can be actively encouraged when romping indoors  even within your own four walls.  HABA has on the corresponding topic page

the most popular play ideas for at home collected that will surely motivate even the smallest homebody to be more active.Time for creativity: crafting with toddlers

In addition to action-packed games, there are also quiet activities such as the

crafting with children, where your little artists can really express their creativity. In doing so you actively promote your toddlers' motor skillsLast but not least, joint crafting sessions also produce On the sun protection page, HABA has

beautiful works of art that are worth showing offSuitable ideas, tips and craft tutorials to recreateOn the sun protection page, HABA has

can be found on HABA's page about crafting with toddlers. findet ihr auf der HABA Seite rund ums Basteln mit Kleinkindern.

Image credits

Family outing in the mountains © EVERST - stock.adobe.com

Child jumping in puddle © ValentinValkov - stock.adobe.com

Mother and child at a picnic © Sergio - stock.adobe.com

Child with Sunscreen on the back © Tomsickova - stock.adobe.com

Mother spending time with her children © zinkevych - stock.adobe.com