Summer is the best time of year. You get to be outside with your little ones every day and have endless adventures. From zoo trips, splash pads, exploring nature parks, vacations and so much more, these summer diaper bag essentials will have you at ease.
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The trick is selecting items that won’t overstuff your diaper bag. All moms know there is nothing more annoying than needing something quickly but your bag is so jam-packed you can’t figure out where anything is. The item you’re looking for is usually always at the bottom so finding compact products will help keep everything in its place and easy to locate.
What To Look For In A Diaper Bag:
Selecting the right diaper bag is a must. These aren’t your ordinary backpacks that you can just reuse from your college days. Diaper bags are super well designed and thought out to make sure you have all the pockets and compartments needed to have a successful outing.
A huge tip is to select a diaper bag that is easy to get into. My first bag was an Eddie Bauer that had a flap for “style” and it was the worst. While it was super cute and offered lots of space, the diaper bag constantly fell over when I’d lift the flap back to get into the main compartment. When you’re trying to juggle your baby and get all the diaper-changing supplies out, you need efficiency. Another tip is to select a color/pattern that you and your partner both like. Not every husband wants to be rocking a pink diaper bag with sparkles if you know what I mean.
Diaper Bag Features You’ll Want Included:
- Multi-compartment with zippers
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Straps that attach to the stroller handlebar
- A portable changing pad included
- Pacifier case included
- Made with waterproof and breathable material
- Side compartments for water bottles and sippy cups
How To Organize Your Diaper Bag:
Front Pockets:
This space is best used for small items that can easily get lost or items you’d like to keep clean. This is the perfect area to keep silverware, straws, hand sanitizer, baby wipes and car keys.
Large Main Compartment:
Great for keeping large or oddly shaped items like extra play clothes, snacks, ointments, a fan and more.
Smaller Main Compartment:
I like to keep diapers in one spot, isolated from everything else for easy access and cleanliness. Most backpacks have an extra main compartment making it the perfect location.
Summer Diaper Bag Essentials
1. Diaper Bag
You can’t have summer diaper bag essentials without a diaper bag! I’ve tried a handful of bags and this one was hands down the best. I gift it every chance I get. It has so many compartments, the zippers don’t catch and it includes a changing pad and a pacifier holder.
2. Travel Size Sunscreen
A must have summer item that you should never go anywhere without. This brand is affordable and works great. You’ll love how easy it is to throw into a small pocket for easy access. I will note, that if your baby is 6 months or younger, make sure you purchase baby-friendly sunscreen to avoid any chemicals on the newborn’s skin.
3. Waterproof Wet Bag
These bags make life so easy when you take the kids to the splash pad or pool for the afternoon. You can store swimsuits, extra clothes and a pair of shoes in these spacious bags. The best part is you can latch it onto your diaper bag to free up inside space.
4. Portable Compact Fan
This fan is great to have on hand for those moments when your kiddos need to cool down and rest from all that hard work playing outside. Mama will find she loves this for her too!
5. Spray Hand Sanitizer
This will be one of your favorite summer diaper bag essentials. There aren’t always washrooms available outdoors and you want to keep germs away. The spray is not only easier to use but kids tend to find it more fun when they get to choo-choo their hands together.
6. Silicon Placemat
I own this exact placemat and love it. I tried disposable placemats but the sticky adhesive caused a lot of headaches and I found them messy to deal with. This placemat comes in so many cute patterns and it’s so easy to pack in your diaper bag.
7. Portable Clip On Speaker
These are such a great invention. This Bluetooth speaker is insanely cute and can easily clip onto your diaper bag. Perfect for playing sleep sounds when the baby needs a rest or listening to fun summertime songs on outdoor adventures. This is a summer diaper bag essentials must have for sure.
8. Yeti Water Bottle
My toddler uses his Yeti all the time. It’s perfect for summer months because the water will actually stay cold for hours and hours. The slim shape fits nicely in your bag’s side pocket and there are so many amazing colors to choose from.
9. Formula Travel Container
This container stores 3 servings of formula powder so you can keep that big tub at home while you enjoy a summer day out at the zoo or pool, worry-free.
10. 2-in-1 Drink & Snack Cups
Worth. Every. Penny. These are insanely cool, spill proof and efficient. These cups can be used as a snack cup using the twist-on lid or for beverages using the lid with the straw opening. These hold 12oz and can be purchased in 8oz as well.
11. Stackable Lunch Box
This stackable lunch box is a great summer diaper bag essential because it’s tall and lean, making it easier to fit in your diaper bag. This is so much easier than packing a separate lunch box to carry around.
12. Extra Straws
I can’t tell you how many times I’m scrambling in car compartments looking for a spare straw, even for my own drinks. Do yourself a favor and always have extra!
13. Silverware
You’ll always want a couple of sets of silverware when out and about during summer. The spoons and forks at restaurants are always too big for kids to use. These will be lifesavers.
14. Disposable Bibs
Summer picnics are the best. I always hated when I’d have to put a dirty bib back in the diaper bag after lunch making these disposable ones lifesavers. They work great and you just throw it away after the kiddos eat.
15. Travel Size Wet Wipes
Baby wipes are a mom’s best friend. Perfect for washing faces off or cleaning hands after eating. Be sure to buy travel size for your diaper bag. The big packs will take up too much space.
16. Travel Size Baby Powder
Baby powder will be your best friend when outside playing on hot summer days. It’ll be key to avoiding sweaty diaper rash.
17. Diaper Mini Trash Bags
Yes, you’ll 100% be changing diapers in the grass or from your car trunk when exploring nature parks or at the splash pad with your little ones. This can clip onto your diaper bag for easy access too.
18. Compact First Aid Kit
Scratches and scrapes are bound to happen during summer outings so best to always be prepared. I love how compact this option is making it easy to throw in a small pocket. The Band-Aids are designed so cute for kids too!
19. Sun Hat
Even with sunscreen on, a sun hat is crucial to keeping your baby’s skin protected and the sun out of his/her eyes. This brand offers the best colors and patterns.
20. Extra Play Clothes
Somehow mud, puddles and water always find their way to little kids. Having an extra pair of clothes for the drive home is never a bad idea.
21. Extra Socks
Socks are the first to get wet and dirty and can irritate skin if they stay on your baby’s feet too long. Always have a spare pair just in case.
22. Slim Wallet
Instead of carrying around a purse and your diaper bag, a travel-size wallet is perfect for holding a few cards and some cash. You can keep it in a secure compartment or clip it onto a zipper for quick access.
Diaper bags are so much fun to organize, especially for a summer outing. Always keep in mind how much space you have to work with and never try and pack your diaper bag to the max. You won’t be able to find a thing if it is! Not to mention it’ll be hot out and you don’t want a huge heavy bag on your back. Travel-size items are the way to go!
I hope you find these suggestions extremely helpful when planning your next summer adventure with your babies. Have so much fun this summertime season knowing you’ll be fully prepared for anything.
