When you have children, it is inevitable that you will have to go grocery shopping with them sometimes. Maybe you try to go shopping at night only, or when you have someone who can watch them for you, but not all of us have that luxury. I go grocery shopping usually twice a week, and have to take all 3 of my kids (6 and under) with me almost every time. Having done this a couple hundred times by now, I have come up with a few things I do almost every time that helps most of the trips turn out successful.
Keep in mind, sometimes we have the meltdowns, tantrums, and trips you never want to remember, but overall, these things help me.
1) Make A List In Order
By preplanning what you will be shopping for, you can have a game plan that will help you get through in a timely fashion. I also suggest grouping your list by section/isle. Put all of your baby items together. If you know you visit a certain section first, put it at the top…put groups in order of how you will visit them in the store. Don’t waste time going to isle 1, then 20, then 2, then 12….by following the flow of your list, you can save time.
2) Take Advantage of the Carts & Cookie
My kids love the car cart! The only downside to these is that they might be hard to steer, but overall they can help occupy your kids. If they get tired of it, just move them up to the front with you instead. The bakeries of your story probably offer kids a free cookie too, so stopping there first thing, or when a meltdown is going to occur may help in a pinch!
3) Get them involved
-Play “I spy” with colors and/or products
-Let them bag items or put things in the cart
-Give them a coupon for an item in the isle you are in and let me find it/hide and seek style
-Play a rhyming game with items you are passing. Ask “What rhymes with pear?”, etc.
Keeping their mind busy and learning at the same time is a win-win!
If all else fails, I try to keep a small notepad and pen/pencil in my purse to let them draw while they sit in the cart too….I hope you have happy shopping experiences, and please share your tips in the comments!
Love these tips! I try to remember to bring a snack for my 17-month-old who doesn’t usually get sweets (so the cookie would be too much sugar for her). She doesn’t tend to get fussy while riding in the cart, but she will put her mouth all over the handlebar if she doesn’t have something to eat!