On the Go with Baby – How to make impromptu travel with baby, even just out to a restaurant, easier and less stressful!

Once upon a time you could just grab your jacket and head out to dinner.  Throw a few things in a weekend bag and off you went!  But that was before you had kids.  When baby comes along, suddenly, even a quick bite at a local restaurant seems to require a mountain of diapers, bibs, toys and so much more!

There is no question that when you have kids, especially young children, you need a lot more things to make it through a day comfortably.  But there’s also no reason that a last-minute getaway is out of the question.  We’ve found it’s still possible, if we’re prepared ahead of time.

We keep extra supplies in the car for “emergencies” – like when we’ve left the house in a hurry and forgotten to refill the diaper bag.  We have extra diapers (both for our toddler and our baby), extra disposable bibs,baby wipes (travel pack),and the all important antibacterial hand wipes.

In Wendy’s purse, we carry several small toys.  This way, we’re never caught out at a restaurant, or at someone’s house or a doctor’s office, either.  Busy kids are happy kids, and happy kids = happy parents!  So what do we have tucked away in her purse?  A Schylling Magnetic Sketch and Erase Board,one of the Dover Little Activity Books, and a few Indestructibles.  All of those fit into a tiny space, are super light weight and make no mess!  She also has extra antibacterial hand wipesand a couple disposable bibs for good measure.

For more ideas on great travel toys for kids to bring along, you can check out our suggestions for baby travel toys.  Or, if you need travel toys for toddlers, read how we were able to Travel With a Toddler and Still Be Able to Call it a “Vacation”, see our picks for Top 10 Great Toddler Travel Toys, and 3 Great Toddler Travel Toys .  Want travel toys for older kids?  Great Travel Toys that will “Grow” with your Child will help you choose travel toys with staying power!  Any of those toys would work great for an “emergency” stash to leave in the car, too.  Just make sure you don’t leave crayons in there.  They will melt in the summertime!

We love our Skip Hop Pronto Diaper Changer Kit, especially for tight restaurant bathrooms, airplanes and just about anywhere you might travel with kids.  We keep it stocked and ready to go!  For travel with toddlers, throw an extra Take & Toss Sippy Cup into the back of the car, and never have to try to tackle a restaurant without one again.  For travel with baby, we love the Green Sprouts infant water bottle cap adapter.

Love to travel with baby?  Have a travel with kids tip?  Please share!  We’re always looking for new ideas!