What's in My Bogg Bag? 15 Mom Essentials I Never Leave Home Without
Never leave the house feeling unprepared again! Discover what's in my Bogg Bag and the everyday essentials I always keep stocked for beach days, playground trips, errands, and spontaneous family adventures. These simple mom-approved items help reduce stress, keep little ones happy, and make getting out the door easier than ever.
How to Make the Most Out of Summer Break
As a mom of three young kids, I've learned that the hardest part about leaving the house isn't wrangling everyone into their clothes (although let's be honest that is not exactly easy either). The real challenge is trying to remember everything you might need for the day and then tracking it all down before you even make it to the car.
Where's the sunscreen? Did I remember to wash the swimsuits after the pool two days ago? It's going to be hot today... is the portable fan charged? Do we have enough snacks? Before you know it, one child is crying because they stepped on a toy truck, another has dragged a step stool into the pantry to sneak snacks while you're distracted, and you are wondering, is it even worth it to leave the house anymore?
Sound familiar?
The good news is that you can avoid most of this chaos. You don't need to be more organized. You just need a simple system.
One of the best systems I have found is keeping a fully stocked Bogg Bag in my car all summer long. Instead of packing from scratch every time we leave the house, everything we use most is already packed and ready to go. Whether we're heading to the beach, the splash pad, the playground, the zoo, or saying yes to a last-minute invitation from friends, we're already halfway out the door.
A little preparation creates a lot more spontaneity.
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, these are the 15 essentials that always have a home in my Bogg Bag.
What's In My Bogg (As a Busy Mom of Three)
Outdoor Essentials
Mineral Sunscreen
Keep your little ones safe! Want to protect their delicate skin from the sun's rays while minimizing their exposure to harsh chemicals? Opt for 50 spf mineral sunscreen to keep them safe all afternoon. They have become quite mainstream and can be found at most grocery stores. Normally, I use the lotion formula but I switched it up this summer and bought a spray version. So much easier! It is super quick and easy to apply.
Bug Spray
This has been the worst year for ticks and mosquitos that I can remember. By the end of May, I had found 12 ticks on our family members! I decided it was time to start using bug spray to prevent them from crawling onto my little ones and making their way into our home. I chose to use a DEET free bug spray and I kid you not, I haven't found a single tick on the kids since I started using it. I cannot recommend it enough! We still do daily tick checks but anytime we are going into high risk areas a few quick sprays give me peace of mind and make all the difference.
Portable Fan
It has been a HOT summer. Because of this, I always have a charged portable fan in my Bogg. It is especially important this summer since I have a newborn to consider. Babies can overheat quite easily so it is important to provide them with shade and adequate airflow.
Pro tip: Get a portable fan that uses the same charger as your phone! When my fan is low on battery, I plug it into the phone charger in my car and charge on the go.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses help to protect your little ones eyes while you are out in the sun and allows them to see better while they are playing. They are my kids favorite accessories and each of them has about three pairs that they rotate between. It is always good to have back ups because they tend to get left behind if there is too much going on.
Sun Hats
When was the last time you did a super thorough job sunscreening your toddlers face? To be completely honest, I miss spots often. My toddlers are wiggly and don't like having sunscreen applied to their faces. Sun hats keep any missed spots protected and give me peace of mind. Not only that, but they help protect their eyes but they inevitably rip off or lose the sunglasses we just talked about.
Refueling
Bogg Brrr
This soft cooler is made to fit perfectly inside the original Bogg Bag. It has its own strap so that you can use it on its own as well. I keep my cooler stocked with snacks that don't need to stay cold all the time and when I leave for a day trip, if I want to add stuff to keep cold, I simply throw in an ice pack or two and it's good to go!
The one downside of this cooler is that my toddlers know EXACTLY where to find the snacks and when they see it they will start asking what I brought. Don't blame the Bogg Brrr though, toddlers will do this no matter what!
Water bottles
These are the ONE item that I do not always have packed because my kids use them all day every day. It is so important to stay hydrated! Make sure to fill and grab water bottles for your kids and yourself on the way out the door and toss them into the Bogg Brrr along with your snacks.
Snacks
I keep my Bogg Brrr stocked with room temperature snacks at all times! Nothing will ruin a spontaneous adventure faster than hungry kids. My go to snacks this summer have been granola bars, beef sticks, fruit jerky, applesauce pouches, dried fruit, and crackers. If I want to bring food that needs to stay cold, I add a few ice packs and snacks like cheese, yogurt or fruit salad.
Baby Gear
Diapers, wipes, diaper cream
I have done more newborn diaper changes on the go this third time around than I did with both my other two kiddos combined. Why? I have two other small children to entertain and it is summertime! My third is changed anywhere and everywhere. I always make sure to stock enough diapers, wipes, and diaper cream for the day.
Pro tip: Pack a clean onesie inside the diaper pouch in case of a blow out. That way you don't have to rummage around for a change of clothes with a tiny baby on the changing table.
Portable Changing Pad
Another must have for diaper changes on the go! This allows me to lay down my baby anywhere and change them. Make sure to wipe the portable changing pad down and allow it to fully dry every once in a while to keep it clean and sanitary for your little one.
Nursing Cover
Shop this pick ↗Just like the endless on the go diaper changes, I am constantly nursing on the go this time around as well. Often times, I am wearing clothing that allows me to nurse without a cover but if I am not wearing something nursing friendly or I am in a super public place, I prefer to use this cover.
Another HUGE benefit of this cover is that it is breathable and super cute. I use it to cover baby when babywearing if the sun is out and they love it. This nursing cover is an absolute must have!
Stay Clean and Dry
Towel for Each Child
Perfect for drying off at the splash pad or sitting on at a park while during snack time. Don't try to get away with sharing towels, you will definitely want one for each child.
Change of Clothes and Bathing Suit for Each Child
I love knowing that I have bathing suits packed away in my Bogg just in case. This way if we are out and about and decide to head to the pool or splash pad, we don't have to turn around and stop home to grab suits.
You also will need a full change of clothes for each little one as well. Accidents happen! Whether that accident is potty related, food related, or mud related, it is nice to be prepared with a clean set of clothes to offer them before getting back in their car seat. It also makes going destination to destination easier because you can change them after the pool and head to the playground or grocery store.
Wet Dry Bag
You will need somewhere to put their wet clothes after they change and a good wet dry bag keeps everything else in your Bogg safe! I use this bag to pack up their unused bathing suits and change of clothes when I pack my Bogg, and then will switch it to holding wet suits after I change them.
Entertainment
Bubbles
I have found it is a good idea to keep one simple entertainment item with you when you head out for the day. Being prepared with something like this can give you an extra 10 minutes when you need it and can help distract the little ones if they are on the verge of a mid afternoon meltdown.
I usually opt for bubbles because they fit so well on the side but you could also bring something like a soccer ball or even a few small trucks or some chalk.
Tools I Used
The few things that made this recipe easier — and healthier.
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Original Bogg Bag
A spacious waterproof beach tote keeps family beach essentials organized, sand-resistant, and easy to carry, making beach trips with toddlers and young kids much less stressful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Bogg Bag worth it?
In my opinion, yes! If you have young kids and you plan on spending lots of time outdoors in the spring and summer.
It is durable, easy to clean, and easily customized to your needs. The Bogg stands upright while you are packing, doesn't tip over in the car, and is roomy enough to hold everything you will need for your next trip to the beach or playground.
That being said the Bogg isn't a necessity. The real value comes from having a system that allows you to get out in the world with your family and make memories. Because we use it on a daily basis, it has been well worth the investment for our family. If there is a different waterproof bag that works better with your budget, then you can absolutely use that instead.
How can I make this organizational system work for me?
Here are my steps to making this organization system work for any family:
- Pack your Bogg with all of your essentials and pack it the same way EVERY time so that you know exactly what is included and where it is in the Bogg
- Leave your Bogg in your car so that it is always ready when you are on the go
- At the end of the day, restock and reorganize your Bogg and replace it in the car so you won't have think about it before you leave the house next
How do you organize a Bogg Bag?
I have found that clear, waterproof pouches used to separate various items make a huge difference. I can clearly locate the diaper pouch or the sunscreen pouch without digging around in a sea of loose items. Instead of another clear pouch, I use the wet dry bag to store clothing for the kids because then I can reuse it to put the dirty clothes in after the change. Wet dry bags are great because you can also throw them in the laundry to clean them every once in a while instead of having to tediously wipe down other zippered pouches.
The other key to organizing your Bogg Bag is layering. You can fit SO much in these bags if you layer your items properly.
Pro tip: Layer items the same way each time so you know exactly where things are, it makes the system more efficient! It also makes it easier to describe to other people where they can find stuff in your Bogg if they are helping you out.
Is a Bogg Bag only useful at the beach?
The Bogg Bag is useful everywhere! I bring mine to the beach, pool, splash pad, playground, friends houses, and kids sports practices.
Where shouldn't I bring my Bogg Bag?
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Bogg Bag. But there are definitely some places where you wouldn't want to bring it because of its size and weight. I would leave my Bogg at home if I was planning on:
- Hiking - it makes more sense to utilize a backpack type bag for this so that you don't end up with a sore shoulder
- Visiting museums or aquariums - it may be too large for tight indoor spaces
- Going to a theme park - it may be too heavy to lug around a crowded theme park all day, if you have a large stroller and it can fit underneath then that is a different story
- Heading to the airport to catch a flight - it won't fit under the seat in front of you, if you want to bring it on your trip I usually fill it and pack it inside my suitcase
What are your top tips for being prepared when you leave the house with kids?
Preparation is a gift to your future self! It allows you to be more spontaneous and confident. Remember:
Restock - snacks, new clothes or bathing suits if you used them, charge portable fans, check sunscreen levels
Reorganize - put all your items back in your Bogg the same way
Replace - put you bag back in your car so it's ready to go
How on earth do I fit this all in one bag?
Because the Bogg Bag is so deep, it is easy to layer your items. This is a the beauty of using the clear plastic pouches because they allow you to easily see what is inside and they are fairly structured so they stand up well inside the bag.
Layer 1: Brrr Cooler, Diaper pouch, Sunscreen/Bug Spray pouch, Sunglasses side pouch
Layer 2: Wet dry bag with change of clothes and bathing suits, nursing cover, hats, bubbles
Layer 3: Towels
Lay your towels right on top of it all and you are ready to get going!
Motherhood is full of enough surprises, you shouldn't have to scramble every time your family wants to head to the park, beach, or splash pad. Keeping a Bogg Bag packed with your everyday essentials has been one of the simplest systems I've put in place this summer, and it has made getting out the door much less stressful. Instead of spending time searching for sunscreen or wondering where the extra towels disappeared to, I can simply grab the bag and focus on making memories with my family.
If you're looking for more ways to simplify everyday life with kids, be sure to check out these helpful resources:
- 15 Beach Trip Must-Haves for Families - Everything you need for a stress-free beach day.
At Modern SAHM Solutions, my goal isn't just to share products that make mom life easier, it's to help you build simple systems that reduce stress, save time, and give you more opportunities to enjoy the moments that matter most with your family.