Grocery shopping with kids can be rough, but these tips can help!
Between work and school and driving kids all over town for activities, the last thing I have time for is grocery shopping – but alas we have to eat so it must be done! Most of the time that means having to take at least one child with me grocery shopping.
Grocery shopping with kids can be so stressful. And when you have a large family, that means you are likely making frequent trips to the store (it is all I can do to keep enough bread, milk, and eggs in this house!) and chances are you have to take at least some of the kids along with you.
During the school break I usually have to take all four of my kids on a large grocery shopping trip with me and by the time I leave, I AM DONE. Completely physically and mentally exhausted. It is all I could do to survive the shopping trip.
Seriously, grocery shopping with kids can do that to you! IT. IS. EXHAUSTING. And chances are you’ll end up forgetting to get half of what was originally on your list and instead come home with a cartful of items that you definitely had no intention on buying that day.
*This post is sponsored by Sam’s Club – all opinions expressed are my own*
Now, of course taking all four of my kids grocery shopping with me is hard to handle, but what about just taking one child? Yep, that can get crazy too! Especially if you’re taking along a toddler!
But no fear, I’ve been doing this a while, and I’ve got some awesome expert tips to share with you. These tips for grocery shopping with kids can definitely make it easier on you – but pay special attention to the last tip that I offer, because it is absolutely genius and will save you time and your sanity!
5 Tips to Survive Grocery Shopping with Kids
Shop during the child’s meal time
Take the child or children during their mealtime. Pack a picnic for them and allow them to eat while grocery shopping. This works especially well for the toddler age group. I place my cart cover in seat, strap her in, and set her lunch box next to them. The child can happily munch away while you go through the store to purchase the items on your list.
Wear young children
This is a trick learned from my own mother. I remember going to the grocery store with her – she would wear one of those big, metal framed, backpack carriers with my youngest sister in it. Made it easy to find her anywhere! Whether I’m running in for a quick milk and bread trip or I’m doing a full shopping trip and have multiple kids to shop with, I always bring my baby carrier. I have one that is soft and foldable and allows me to carry a child up to 4 yrs old on my back. When they were infants I would use a wrap to carry them on the front – this keeps cart space clear and the child safe and with you.
Give them a job to do
Getting them involved and keeping them busy is key. The older children can read off items on the list and cross them off once they’ve been retrieved. They can also help push the cart. Younger kids can locate items and put them in the cart. Children really do love to help and be a part of things.
Play Games
We play all sorts of games while we grocery shop. We like to play Supermarket Bingo, I spy, 20 questions – anything to keep them engaged and focused on something other than running down the aisles and climbing the shelves. I always keep a small notebook and a pen in purse also, that way they can color, scribble, write, draw, doodle – anything to keep them busy
Don’t do it!
Ok, so you have my tips for how to survive grocery shopping with kids but this is my absolute favorite tip – it will seriously save your sanity. What is this tip? DON’T DO IT – yes you read that right, don’t grocery shop with kids!
But wait, how do you do that? You’re probably trying to figure out how I get away without grocery shopping with kids – easy, I use Sam’s Club’s Club pick up.
With Sam’s Club’s Club pick up service I can do it all! Get my work done, get the kids to practice on time, and swing by to grab all of my groceries – stress free and time efficiently!
While the baby is down for a nap, I can write out my meal plan for the week, log into the Sam’s Club website, and get all of my shopping done right there online!
I can pay for my order right then and there and leave my phone number for them to text me when my order is ready for pick-up. So, I can get it all ordered in the afternoon and head over to pick up the next morning, without even worrying about how must time it’s going to take me to wind my way through the store or how I’m going to entertain the toddler while I do it.
If I’m in charge of game snack for the baseball team? No problem! I just log in, order my granola bars and juice boxes, pay for my order, and swing by Sam’s Club on my way to the game!
This is such a game changer! Grocery shopping with kids used to be something I absolutely feared – now, I don’t mind at all. I can run in and be out with my cart full of fresh, frozen, and pantry items in 5 minutes!
How to use Sam’s Club Club Pick-Up
- Make sure you have a Sam’s club membership. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up through this link and you’ll receive a $10 gift card!
- Log in to the Sam’s Club website and order your items.
- Check out and pay for your order online.
- When you receive your email or text that your order is ready, head to your Sam’s Club.
- Look for the green kiosk near the check out stands and swipe your Sam’s Club Membership Card.
- An attendant will bring you your cart full of items and a printed list of what you ordered.
- ENJOY YOUR DAY!
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