Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having each kid have a specific bag for each specific sport has been life changing. Get the type that best matches the activity so it has the right pockets/compartments… truly worth it it have a soccer bag that can actually hold a ball and cleats, swim bag with a waterproof section, etc.

This was us when the kids were younger and it has stuck with them! I'd put the uniforms into the bag when they came out of the wash, too, so kid always knew where to find it. When DD was really young and needed sports bras for under the lax pinnie, those went into her lax backpack as well.

Add a water bottle and snack to the bag for practice/games and the kid can carry his/her own things.

This works great for the kids' things, and I even have siblings bring sideline stuff to do (if needed) in their own small backpack. But I still carry a tote for my things or general family things. Example: if the whole family is eating at a sporting event, then I might have my own food in the tote.

Anonymous wrote:LL Bean bags are total workhorses and last forever.

This is what I use. I'm a big fan of zip top to keep things from falling out.

💩

+1 for specific bag for every activity. For kids who aren’t going to be doing the activity, bring them a backpack with toys. I use their old backpacks for that. They carry it. If they are old enough to be in a sport, they can be responsible for their stuff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, a lot of that stuff may not really be necessary. Like, explain the bento boxes. Is this for between sport 1 and sport 2? Can they eat at home before or after? And do they need a meal AND snacks ... on a weeknight? Are you out from 4pm to 10pm? Water bottles ... 100% should be carried by the kids. Yes, even the 4 year old. If the 4 year old cannot carry their own water bottle, they are not old enough for sports. Change of clothes, okay, for a 4 year old, that goes in the car and stays there. What else are you carrying?

Op - well today I left home at 4:15 immediately after the bus for kid 1 tutoring. Then went from there to pick up daycare kids. Then went back to get tutoring kid. Then took all the kids to soccer. We got home at 7:45.

NP: honestly on days like that my kids just eat in the car- I will bring sandwiches and snacks (basically a cold lunch of sorts) or sometimes just hit the CFA drive thru or similar at some point (probably on the way to soccer). They also change in the car. They carry their own gear bags and water bottles. I don’t carry anything extra other than my chair and my own water bottle.

We kept extra sweatshirts, sunscreen, first aid kit in the car and I can run and grab if needed. If the kids are still hungry when we get home, I serve them some leftovers or make something quickly (grilled cheese sandwich etc).

Get a duffel bag.

I hate carrying stuff in open bags that can tip over and spill your things all over the floor.

Anonymous wrote:Also, a lot of that stuff may not really be necessary. Like, explain the bento boxes. Is this for between sport 1 and sport 2? Can they eat at home before or after? And do they need a meal AND snacks ... on a weeknight? Are you out from 4pm to 10pm? Water bottles ... 100% should be carried by the kids. Yes, even the 4 year old. If the 4 year old cannot carry their own water bottle, they are not old enough for sports. Change of clothes, okay, for a 4 year old, that goes in the car and stays there. What else are you carrying?

Op - well today I left home at 4:15 immediately after the bus for kid 1 tutoring. Then went from there to pick up daycare kids. Then went back to get tutoring kid. Then took all the kids to soccer. We got home at 7:45.

Anonymous wrote:Agree with others that each kid should have their own bag that works best for the specific sport. For occasions where you really do need to carry some stuff (e.g. long competitions/tournaments), the Yeti tote is good if you want to invest in something durable. I also like the rectangular totes from Target. I love these for outdoor games in cooler weather so I can carry extra blankets and layers, toys and snacks for sibling, etc. Even for everyday use you could leave one of these in you car and put everything in it to get organized. I also use them for packing on road trips.

PP and this is similar to what I mean: https://www.target.com/p/scrunchable-laundry-tote-textured-blue-brightroom-8482/-/A-83794862#lnk=sametab. I got mine from the seasonal section a few summers ago.

Agree with others that each kid should have their own bag that works best for the specific sport. For occasions where you really do need to carry some stuff (e.g. long competitions/tournaments), the Yeti tote is good if you want to invest in something durable. I also like the rectangular totes from Target. I love these for outdoor games in cooler weather so I can carry extra blankets and layers, toys and snacks for sibling, etc. Even for everyday use you could leave one of these in you car and put everything in it to get organized. I also use them for packing on road trips.

Also, a lot of that stuff may not really be necessary. Like, explain the bento boxes. Is this for between sport 1 and sport 2? Can they eat at home before or after? And do they need a meal AND snacks ... on a weeknight? Are you out from 4pm to 10pm? Water bottles ... 100% should be carried by the kids. Yes, even the 4 year old. If the 4 year old cannot carry their own water bottle, they are not old enough for sports. Change of clothes, okay, for a 4 year old, that goes in the car and stays there. What else are you carrying?

Anonymous wrote:Having each kid have a specific bag for each specific sport has been life changing. Get the type that best matches the activity so it has the right pockets/compartments… truly worth it it have a soccer bag that can actually hold a ball and cleats, swim bag with a waterproof section, etc.

This was us when the kids were younger and it has stuck with them! I'd put the uniforms into the bag when they came out of the wash, too, so kid always knew where to find it. When DD was really young and needed sports bras for under the lax pinnie, those went into her lax backpack as well.

Add a water bottle and snack to the bag for practice/games and the kid can carry his/her own things.