I’ve learned over time that I personally don’t love carrying giant overpacked diaper bags everywhere we go. They always felt bulky, heavy, and somehow impossible to keep organized. Instead, I’ve found that keeping a smaller zipper pouch inside a soft everyday tote works so much better for our lifestyle.

I love using a cotton tote bag, especially ones that feel a little more relaxed and effortless like something you’d bring to the farmers market. Bonus points if it has pockets because then I can throw in my phone, chapstick, keys, or snacks without digging through the bag every five seconds. I know everyone loves the plastic tote style bags because they wipe down easily after messy park days, but I personally gravitate toward softer natural fabrics and something that feels a little more simple and cozy.

Inside my small zipper pouch I keep all our little essentials that make park days easier without feeling overpacked.

Bamboo Bandaids
These are always in my bag because little scrapes somehow happen the second you leave the house with kids. I personally like keeping bamboo bandaids because they feel a little gentler and more natural compared to traditional options.

Wipes & Diapers
The obvious essentials. I only keep a few diapers and a small pack of wipes instead of bringing the entire house with me. Just enough for an easy outing.

Natural Bug Spray
This is something I always keep nearby especially during warmer months or evening park trips. I personally try to keep things as gentle as possible when it comes to everyday products we use often.

Hand Sanitizer
A must after playgrounds, snacks, park bathrooms, and all the little sticky moments throughout the day.

Tallow Sunscreen
I keep sunscreen in the bag depending on how long we plan on being outside. I do believe some sun exposure is important for us and our vitamin D, so I personally try to find a balance instead of constantly avoiding the sun completely. For longer park days though, I always like having sunscreen with me just in case.

Water Bottle
I feel like no matter where you go, everyone ends up thirsty immediately. A reusable water bottle is one of those things I never skip.

Foldable Picnic Blanket
I recently found the cutest foldable picnic blanket from Little Unicorn and it fits perfectly into this setup because it folds down compact enough to fit right inside the tote bag. It’s thick, comfortable, and so easy to travel with which makes park days feel effortless.

No surprise honestly because I’ve continuously purchased from this brand throughout my baby’s first year of life from their bibs, muslin blankets, car seat canopy, crib sheets, and sleep sacks. I love that so many of their products are cotton because if you’re someone like me that tries to be mindful about fabrics and avoiding too much polyester around your baby, this is such a great option.

I also love that if you want to switch out your park bag or reorganize things, the blanket folds up neatly enough to store in a baby dresser, basket, or even a special compartment in the trunk of your car if you like keeping extras nearby.

Snacks
One snack I always keep on hand is the Once Upon a Farm Wheels because the ingredients are super simple and it feels like an easy healthier snack option to grab while we’re out at the park or running errands.

A Special Toy
I almost always throw one special toy into the tote. Sometimes it’s something familiar from home or something small that keeps outings feeling fun and comforting.

Active Skin Repair Spray
One thing I always keep in the bag instead of traditional ointments is Active Skin Repair spray. This is what I personally swapped out for Neosporin. It’s a gentle skin healing spray that can be used on little cuts, scrapes, bug bites, irritated skin, and minor wounds. It’s made with hypochlorous acid which is something naturally produced by our bodies to help support healing.
What I love most about it is that it’s mess free and doesn’t contain petroleum or harsh ingredients. It’s just an easy thing to have on hand for little everyday accidents at the park or while out and about.
At the end of the day, I’ve realized I enjoy keeping things simple. A soft tote, a few thoughtful essentials, and enough room left over for the little things that actually matter most.

Shop The Products
    •    Cotton tote bag
    •    Small zipper pouch
    •    Bamboo bandaids
    •    Natural bug spray
    •    Hand sanitizer
    •    Tallow sunscreen
    •    Reusable water bottle
    •    Little Unicorn foldable picnic blanket
    •    Once Upon a Farm Wheels snacks
    •    Active Skin Repair spray
Seriously life changing for everyday outings 🤍