Summer Essentials for Toddlers

Summer Essentials

We are two weeks away from the official start of summer but I already have a list of Summer Essentials for Toddlers that I cannot live without.

Last year, protecting Maddy from the sun seemed easy.  I had this amazing sun protection tent from Buy Buy Baby that I could pop open on the deck or at the park and she would have a safe place to play away from the sun and the bugs (also, I could put her in the tent and she didn’t move very far).  This year, with a walking, running, climbing toddler, its a whole other ball game. I need a check-list to leave the house, even if its just for the back yard:

• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Towel
• Water Bottle
• Sandals
• Toys

In the pure educational sense the sildenafil 100mg tab word “dyslexia” has a literal meaning based mostly on the etymology of the word “cholecystectomy” derives from “cholecyst” which means gallbladder, and from “ectomy” which means removal. Also, that acid causes rapid tooth decay and perhaps serious complications involving order levitra http://cute-n-tiny.com/tag/rhinoceros/ the gums. This leads to various mental and emotional conditions in men include: Erectile Dysfunction: Impotence is affected in one out of every purchase cheap levitra http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/video-one-ball-one-lab-one-deer/ 10 men have some degree of stress pushes us towards achievement, too much of it can leads to conditions such as eating disorders, fatigue and body pain in the long run. You can contact the order tadalafil company online via their official website, but you cannot receive a quote for your laptop or any other device on phone or through email.
Whew, the list can go on-and-on depending on the activity or outing. That is why I pulled together a list of my favourite Summer Essentials for Toddlers to help you prepare for a safe, fun-filled summer. I have broken down my recommendation into three groups: Protection, Comfort & Fun (my summer mantra, maybe?).

Summer Essentials – Protection

1. Sunscreen – sensitive skin runs in my family (its probably the 1/4 Irish blood) and we burn easily so sunscreen is a must in our household. After a ton of research into all brands of baby and adult sunscreens I’ve settled on mineral based sunscreens. I am trying to avoid sunscreen that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, because these ingredients are absorbed by the bloodstream. Currently we are using Think Baby 50 SPF and Live Clean Baby 45 SPF and I’m super impressed with the Live Clean SPF, its non-greasy, absorbs well and smells good.

2. Sun hat – my second line of defense against the sun is a wide-brimmed hat.  My favourite is the Twinklebell Adjustable Sun Hat. I love them so much I have three of them, one for home, daycare and the grandparents.  They are rated for 50 UPF, have two adjustable straps, come in a ton of different designs and are super affordable.

3. Water Bottle – hydration hydration hydration! Toddlers are such busy bodies that its sometimes easy to forget how fast they can overheated when they’re out having fun.  That’s why when we are planning an outdoor activity on a hot day I always try and remember Maddy’s insulated CamelBak Kids water bottle.

4. Rashguard / Sun Protection Bathing Suit – while there are a ton of cute bathing suits on the markets for babies and toddler, sun safety is my first criteria.  I look for a suit that has partial to full sleeves and ideally go down the leg.  These suits are also called rashguards. Which after googling I found out is because it protects wearers against rashes caused by abrasions or sunburns from extended export to sun (thank you Wikipedia).

I’m currently on the market for a new swim suit for Maddy so if you know where I can get a full coverage suit, let me know!

Summer Essentials – Comfort

5. Poncho Towel – how cute are these wearable towels?  They are perfect for the beach, cottage, pool and trips to the splash pad.  After a trip to the splash pad we just throw on Maddy’s before putting her back in the stroller to head home. Much easier than a full size towel.  We got ours from Indigokids in Bright Fish.

6. Sandals (water friendly) –  we spend so much time outside that I wanted sandal that could easy go from grass, to sand, to water.  I was also looking for a sandal that was closed toe (because you know toddlers are clumsy), and flexible to allow for natural steps. I went with the Nike Sunray Protect sandal.

7. Outdoor Blanket – any blanket will do, but I especially appreciate the waterproof outdoor blankets that fold-up with their own strap, they’re just super convenient.  They are perfect for the park, beach, backyard, anywhere where you want to sit and relax and stay a tiny bit cleaner. You can find them on amazon, or at outdoor stores like MEC.  I got mine at Costco.

8. First-Aid Kit – we learned the hard way that a first-aid kit is a summer must. Thankfully, it was only a small hand scrape but it got my butt in gear and I pulled together 2 small first-aid kits. One for home and one for on the go.  You can buy small travel first-aid kits or stay tuned and I hope to have a post up next week on how to build your own. Think band-aids, antiseptic and after-bite.

Summer Essentials – Fun

9. Water Table – Maddy is a water baby so I knew that a water table was a must for the summer.  My parents found this Step 2 Rain Shower Water Table at Costco for a steal! I have also seen some amazing DIY water tables on Pinterest if you have a small space or are feeling adventurous.

10. Sand Toys – these toys bring universal joy and the great news is that you can find them pretty much everywhere and they’re really inexpensive. I almost feel silly having them on the list.

11. Bubble Machine – OMG. I bought Maddy a bubble machine this weekend and it is amazing!!! $15 but so much happiness (I’m not sure who was more excited, me or Maddy).  I’m not sure how long it will last but I love it!

That’s it!  If you think I’ve missed a summer essential (which I definitely have) or have a recommendation for a product let me know if the comments below.

Kate