Top 10 Tips for Grocery Shopping with Kids

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shopkids2It is Thursday. You are exhausted, but when you open your cabinets, moths fly out. Kidding. But the pantry is bare and you’ve fed your kids scrambled eggs for both breakfast AND lunch. What does this mean? A dreaded trip to the (insert Hitchcock music here) GROCERY STORE.

And what’s better than taking your child or children to a vast land of goodies right at arm’s reach? But it doesn’t have to be crazy. Does it? Here are ten simple tips to maximize your store trip with the littles and minimize the tears. From both yourself and your children. Let’s do this:

1.) Do NOT go hungry. Trust me on this. If you go right after a meal with full bellies, you are much more likely to buy yourself a few minutes more in the store due to fewer breakdowns because of low blood sugar. This goes for mama and kiddo. When I go to the store hungry, my cart is crazy-full of things I would normally never buy. Wow, those donuts and 12oz. steaks look mighty tasty. Resist the urge! Go full or go home.

2.) But Also Pack a Snack. Yep. I said it. Pack healthy snacks and water cups (that way if it spills it is “just water” and not a sticky stream of juice down Aisle 7). I usually make a “trail mix” with dry cereal, peanuts, and dried raisins or cranberries and hand out ziplock bags a few minutes into the trip. Keeps them occupied and less likely to ask for a treat if they are already holding one.

3.) Make that List. The most efficient store trips I have experienced are the ones when I go with a detailed store list. I usually divide my list by section of the store, so I am not running back and forth between aisles and passing the same people one hundred times. You small town folk hear me. You have a convo in one aisle then pass them two more times, with an awkward smile that says “Yep. It’s me again!” I also send text messages to myself sometimes too. Or do a quick scroll through my Pinterest boards before leaving the vehicle for recipe ideas.

4.) Park Next to a Cart Return. You may think parking as close to the front door is a good idea, but parking next to the cart return allows you to unload and load your kids straight from the car to the buggy, which eliminates walking through a parking lot full of distracted drivers when you are outnumbered. Plus, you can unload your groceries while your kids are safely buckled in and return it right there.

5.) Utilize your Gear. Below is a picture of me, shopping on the Fourth of July, with three kids three and under, in 2011. That was insane. Seriously. WHAT WAS I THINKING. But, the Moby Wrap was my saving grace that day, as double strollers, car seat carriers, and backpack carriers have been in the past. Check out Kristen’s KMB post about the benefits and convenience of baby wearing {here}.

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6.) Staple Coupons to Your Store List. I haven’t “couponed” in a while, but in the past I stapled all of that business to my store list. Otherwise, I am digging through my purse at the checkout while my kids are playing with dog toys and beef jerky. Staple them. You just saved yourself a couple bucks and a few gray hairs.

7.) Potty Trips. Go Beforehand. There is nothing worse than being *this close* to leaving the store when someone has to go potty. Then you have to find the ONE bathroom in the store and leave that heaping cart of groceries and perishable food items to their lonesome. Dear Lord, PLEASE do not let a stock boy see this full buggy and think it needs to be restocked. Potty BEFORE you begin. Please.

8.) Involve Them in the Trip. Give them a list of items to check off if they can read, have them find things in the store that are red, blue, yellow, etc., or color a picture of food on your notepad in the store that is healthy. When they feel some ownership to the trip, it makes it fun for them instead of boring.

9.) Treat Yo-Self. You heard me. You just spent an HOUR or more in a large store with children and tons of food. You have earned a movie sized box of candy, kettle chips, a large sweet tea, or a white chocolate mocha. You have earned a reward! You did a great job.

10.) Go at Night or Ask for Help. When all else fails, and you just cannot deal with another shopping trip alone with the kiddos, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Friends and family are always willing to lend a hand. Or go really late at night, when the husband is home and everyone is asleep. But still get yourself those Snow Caps for the drive home. You’ve conquered meal planning for the masses. That deserves a gold medal.

What are your life-saving tips for grocery shopping with littles? Share below and let’s chat!

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Christie
Hey friends! I’m Christie and the proud mama of three amazing children, Eden, August, and Titus. We love to watch 80s commercials on YouTube before bed, grilling on the back deck, a good round of Clue, and loudly playing basketball and jumping on the trampoline, keeping our neighbors on their toes. We currently have zero pets because they all seem to run away, I cannot keep real plants alive, and the kids will be in high school, middle school, and elementary school in the fall, so all thoughts and prayers are welcomed and appreciated. Being a part of Knoxville Moms has been such a blast and I have met some incredible women that have since become some of my dearest friends. Take a look at their stories, you’ll love them just as much as I do!

10 COMMENTS

  1. These are great tips, and I am a huge believer in snacks! I remember when I was so scared to go shopping with two! Mainly b/c my oldest would want to walk and not ride and couldn’t always be trusted to stay close by. Most of the time we make it out ok but we have had the days where the oldest had to go potty, and we were basically in the checkout line!

  2. Give yourself a break for the first few weeks post-partum and shop at the “fancy” grocery store. The one that will send a stock boy to help you carry out or has those special car carts. Those car carts saved me while I was getting used to juggling another little one in the mix. Once we established our new normal I went back to our regular discount store with carts that rarely have working buckles LOL

  3. Whoops 🙂 there are some great tips. my friend told me about parking next to the cart return and it changed my life. I also really enjoy getting myself a treat and it’s usually a bag of potato chips that I finish in the car. Yes an entire bag. I love the idea about making a list for the kids.

  4. Love this!!! Great for new and even us “seasoned” moms. I don’t know how many times #7 has been forgotten and backfired on me!! And I’m going to start #9 for sure!!!

  5. The main image showing the infant in the car seat sitting atop the shopping cart is unsettling to me. Shopping carts and car seats were not meant to be used this way, even if the car seat does seem to fit there. Please don’t risk your child’s life by doing this.

    • Ashley and Meghan:

      I SO appreciate your concern about my photo, and as we want all our KMB readers to enjoy reading our site, I have changed the featured image. I will say this in concern to my children’s safety, however. This picture was taken several years ago (my children are all out of infant carseats at this point!) and the specific brand had a safety latch on the back that clicked on the buggy itself. It was unable to be moved unless I physically unlatched it myself. As you can see from the other photo, I also utilized baby carriers as well, and now the children walk next to me 😉 Thanks so much for reading and sharing your heart with us!

  6. I agree with Ashley. The top image should be removed. Babies have died from falling out like that. Even if buckled it. Sorry! Good tips – bad photo!!.

    • Ashley and Meghan:

      I SO appreciate your concern about my photo, and as we want all our KMB readers to enjoy reading our site, I have changed the featured image. I will say this in concern to my children’s safety, however. This picture was taken several years ago (my children are all out of infant carseats at this point!) and the specific brand had a safety latch on the back that clicked on the buggy itself. It was unable to be moved unless I physically unlatched it myself. As you can see from the other photo, I also utilized baby carriers as well, and now the children walk next to me 😉 Thanks so much for reading and sharing your heart with us!

  7. My Ergo was my best friend. I wore Squish to the store until he was nearly five and too big to carry comfortably. There’s something to be said for shopping with a kid who can’t reach much!

    I SO agree about parking next to a cart-return. That’s where the expectant mom parking should be, in my opinion.

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