The First Day of Summer Has Arrived!! Survival Kit Below

For moms who want a little peace, a lot of snacks, and maybe five uninterrupted sips of iced coffee.  

Let’s be honest: the first day of summer hits different when you’re a mom. Remember when summer used to mean sleeping in and slow mornings? Yeah, me neither. Now it means wet towels on the couch, kids yelling “I’m bored” before 9 a.m., and wondering how sunscreen ends up inside your purse. So if you’re wondering how to survive this magical, chaotic, slightly-sticky first day, I’ve got your back.

Here’s what’s inside my real-life, mom-approved summer survival kit—equal parts functional and funny.  

🧴 1. Sunscreen (and a Backup Bottle for When They “Lose” the First One)

No summer survival kit is complete without SPF. But don’t just pack one—pack three. Because one will leak, one will disappear into the towel void, and the last one will be covered in Goldfish crumbs. 

👉 Mom pick:  

  • Spray for speed. 
  • Stick for noses. 
  • Mineral for sensitive kiddos (and your own face that’s seen some things). 

💬 Pro tip: Apply it before you leave the house. Trying to wrangle a slippery child in a parking lot is a core memory no one needs.  

💦 2. A Giant, Emotionally Supportive Water Bottle

This isn’t just hydration. This is your poolside lifeline. It’s heavy, slightly dramatic, and doubles as a weight in case you need to block a stroller from rolling away. 👉 Must-have features:  

  • Holds at least 40 oz. 
  • Straw lid so you can sip with one hand while the other saves a toddler from face-planting off a lounge chair. 
  • Cold retention, because lukewarm lemon water is a crime.   

🍿 3. Snacks. ALL the Snacks.

If you think you packed enough, you didn’t. Summer is basically one long snack negotiation. And yes, someone will cry if you forget the orange flavor. 

👉 My go-tos:  

  • Squeezable applesauce 
  • Trail mix (that you will pick the M&Ms out of when no one’s looking) 
  • Cheese sticks in an insulated pouch 
  • Gummy fruit snacks—let’s not pretend they’re real fruit, but they buy you 4 minutes of peace. 

💬 Pro tip: Always bring your own snacks too. A hangry mom is just a child in cuter sunglasses.  

🧃 4. Juice Boxes, Electrolyte Packs, and Bribes (aka Treats)

Whether it’s hydration or motivation, juice boxes are the currency of summer. Add a couple electrolyte packs (for you) and a frozen Capri Sun (that magically chills everyone’s mood). 

👉 Also:  

  • Dum-Dums, mini marshmallows, or “you-didn’t-splash-the-baby” treats 
  • Bribery? Nope. Positive reinforcement, darling.

🩹 5. First Aid Essentials—Because Summer is a Contact Sport

Scrapes, stubbed toes, mysterious bug bites—you’ll need to be part nurse, part magician. 

👉 Bare minimum kit:  

  • Band-aids in fun prints 
  • Antibacterial wipes 
  • Bug bite stick (trust me) 
  • Aloe for “I definitely told you not to touch the grill.” 

💬 Optional bonus: Frozen character ice pack that serves more emotional than medical purpose.  

👓 6. Sunglasses & A Hat to Cover What Dry Shampoo Couldn’t

This is less about UV protection and more about looking like you have your life together. 

👉 Essentials:  

  • Oversized sunnies to hide eye rolls 
  • Floppy straw hat or baseball cap = instant outfit upgrade 
  • Dry shampoo if you’re feeling ambitious 

💬 Pro tip: If your hat survives a day without being stolen by your child or soaked in juice, you’re doing amazing.  

🧺 7. A Mary Poppins Tote (or Wagon) to Carry It All

Let’s be real: You’re not packing light. You’re packing smart. And you need a bag that can hold everything without splitting at the seams like your patience. 

👉 Mom-tested favorites:  

  • Oversized beach totes with pockets 
  • Foldable wagons for playgrounds and pool days 
  • Mesh bags to shake the sand out and not bring half the beach home 

💬 Hack: Keep a spare outfit, towel, and underwear in the bottom. Even if they “swear” they won’t get wet. They will.  

📱 8. Phone + Power Bank (Because You're the Photographer AND the Lifeguard)

Yes, it’s your emergency contact, sunscreen timer, music DJ, and camera. Treat it accordingly. 

👉 Pack:  

  • Power bank (trust me) 
  • Ziplock or waterproof case 
  • Headphones (just in case someone else can supervise for 10 minutes) 

  

🧘‍♀️ 9. Optional (but life-saving) Extras:

  • Bubble wand – immediate toddler pacifier 
  • Foldable chair with a cupholder – throne of summer queens 
  • Noise-cancelling mindset – achieved via deep breaths and gummy worms 

The first day of summer isn’t about perfection—it’s about preparation (and snacks. Let’s be honest, mostly snacks). You’re not just a mom. You’re a logistics coordinator, hydration manager, snack sommelier, and lifeguard-on-duty. So pack the sunscreen, fill that giant water bottle, and bring your sense of humor.

Because this summer? You’ve got this. (Even if you lose your hat. Again.) 

xoxo