I don’t know about you, but I hate grocery shopping with the kids. It’s like be on some survivor show (I have never watched the actual show Survivor so I can’t say it’s like competing on Survivor, but I imagine being stranded on an online trying to survive for your life!)
Fortunately, after so many kids, you start to learn little tricks and tips. Tricks and tips like how to survive grocery shopping with your kids!
Tip 1
We purchased K a little kid shopping cart for Christmas one year and it was the best decision ever! We brought it with us when we went grocery shopping. She didn’t run off because she had her own cart to push and she stayed near by because we put non-breakable items into her cart. It made her feel included which made for much less hassle!
Tip 2
Grab a little mini notebook or some paper and a little clipboard as well as a washable marker, dull pencil, crayon, pen, etc. and let them “make a grocery list”. Before B could spell, he would draw our grocery list for us. We would tell him what we needed and he drew it. As he has gotten older, we use it to help with his spelling and handwriting. We tell him and he writes it.
Once they write their list, they need to make sure we get everything on the list. They can cross off the items on their list as you put the items in the cart.
If they are too small to draw or write, they can still scribble the grocery list and cross of the items as we get them. It helps develop their imagination as well as the ability to hold and draw. Plus, it helps them feel included. (And you can remind them that we can’t get that candy because it’s not on our list!)
Tip 3
Snacks always make life easier. Some of our local stores have set up fruit stands now for the kids. A lot of times, A is content to hold a snack that she can eat when we get home.
The other day at Walmart, she was able to get
for a snack for home and she was content with holding the container in her lap while we shopped.
If I can’t get her fruit or another healthy option;
is a better-for-you option that littles love! They are made from the goodness of navy beans and naturally flavored made without genetically engineered ingredients, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The best part is that A loved them! (Be sure to head over to your local Walmart to take advantage of an
while supplies last.)
Tip 4
If your kids are a little older, give them an item to go get from the list. Tell them which aisle, what the product is, and let them go get it. My older two love doing this. Not only does it include them, but it gives them a little freedom, AND I am getting to teach them about saving money while grocery shopping by price checking.
Tip 5
Again, if your kids are older, have them handle an entire meal. Have them prep the menu for the meal; check the food already in your home; make a grocery list; and shop for the items they need. It is such a learning opportunity and includes them in the entire process!
I don’t have fancy tips and they don’t take a lot of time or money, but just including the kids and making them feel like a part of the process makes a huge difference when trying to survive a grocery trip with the kids.
What do you do to survive your grocery trip with your kids?