With autumn arriving, its time to start thinking about all of the wet weather that comes with the territory. Sometimes, an unexpected rain shower is enough to leave kids in a total mess. Even the storms you know about can cause problems, especially on school days. There are a few ways that you can beat the rain without having to spend a fortune on lots of rain gear that is only going to be used every now and then. So, get ready to be prepared for the unexpected because these ten ideas will take your preparedness levels to a whole new level, which will save you quite a bit of frustration.
1. Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are bound to become your best friend when you’re dealing with the rain. You might want to start keeping a few bags in your car for unexpected rain showers. You can start out with an average-sized trash bag. With a tear here and there, you’ll have a poncho that will keep your child mostly dry. The trash bag can even cover your child’s backpack in most cases, which will help prevent your child’s homework from becoming sludge in the bottom of the backpack. Smaller grocery bags are the perfect option for shoes. Simply slip them over your child’s feet and tie them securely. The bag will prevent mud from ruining your vehicle while the bag itself will keep little feet nice and dry. If you have older children then you might keep a couple of bags in an emergency kit for them, so they can handle the issue before leaving school.
2. Wet Wipes
If you want to keep things a little manageable then wet wipes, whether it be a brand or homemade, are a great item to have at your fingertips. You should try to keep a pack in your travel bag as well as your car. These wipes are especially great when it comes to the rainy season. As soon as your kids get in the car, they can wipe away the mud, before it becomes too big of an issue. They can also wipe their faces and hands since rainwater isn’t always the best for the skin. Once the kids get out of the car, you can even use the wet wipes to clear up some of the muddy mess that stuck around.
3. Pack a Dry Bag
One of the best assets you can have, no matter the time of the year, is a dry bag tucked away in your car. You can use a simple tote, grocery bag or even a backpack to help create the perfect dry bag for you. Your dry bag should have a wide variety of things in it too. Most importantly, you should have a set of extra clothes for all of your kids. This can help if your kids end up drenched due to a downpour or if they happen to get wet before even heading inside to class. Apart from clothes, you might also keep a towel for everyone. This will help kids dry off and can even be used to protect your car from wet bodies. Apart from that, a blanket might be a great idea, especially if the weather is cold. You don’t want to risk kids getting sick during cold and flu season, so a blanket can really do a number to help prevent this.
4. Waterproof Bag
These days, most backpacks don’t come already waterproofed and those that do are definitely more expensive. This can be a huge problem if your child gets caught in the rain before or after school. A wet backpack means wet homework and other important papers that you may have needed to read. Worst of all, if you pack your child’s lunch in a brown paper bag then there’s a good chance much of it will be smashed and soggy before lunchtime. There is a quick and easy solution to get rid of this problem though, which will definitely make everyone’s life easier. All you have to do is scotch guard the bag or use a similar treatment and your child’s lunch box and you’ll be set. This should really change the way your child goes to school.
5. Umbrella Bag
Umbrellas are a great touch when its raining. However, when you close the umbrella after use, you’re going to be in for a mess. This can be a huge problem when getting into a vehicle or placing the umbrella in a locker for the day. An umbrella bag doesn’t have to be anything spectacular either. All you need is a simple bag that will cover the umbrella completely. This will allow you to protect your belongings from getting wet. You might also have children keep an extra bag in their locker so they’ll always have one to use, which will allow the used bag the chance to dry out.
6. DIY Rain Clothes
Rain clothes can be incredibly expensive, and kids grow really quickly. So, if you don’t deal with rainstorms for more than a few weeks out of the year, you might consider making your own DIY rain clothes. All you need to pull this off is some waterproof fabric or fabric that has been treated with a waterproofing material. From there, you can easily make a pair of pants, a poncho and other styles without a whole lot of effort. Best of all, the clothes can be slipped over your child’s other apparel which will allow them to enjoy the school day without extra layers. There are also lots of great tutorials online that will help you find the perfect items for your family.
7. Pack Spares
One of the best things you can do is pack spare items for your family. For instance, folded up ponchos can be found in many department stores and most sporting goods stores. These items are perfect for placing in a backpack, locker or even the car. Once you use the item, you can easily fold them up and use them again, which is more than convenient. Portable umbrellas are also a great option to have around. These can also be folded up and stored without taking up a lot of space. Of course, just keeping an umbrella in the vehicle can help you keep the rain at bay when moving from one place to the next. If its rainy season, you might also consider keeping some rain boots in the car, so you won’t have to miss out on any fun due to the rain.
8. DIY Stroller Cover
Walking with your little one can be a hard task if there is a sudden downpour to deal with. Luckily there is a great way to solve this problem. A stroller cover will help you protect your little one from the water, so you can get to your vehicle or home without worrying about your baby getting drenched. Purchasing a stroller cover in stores can be very expensive though. Luckily, there are many great ways to make your own stroller cover. One way is to simply use a tarp to cover the stroller while you make it home. However, if you’d like a solution that won’t leave the baby in the dark then you might want to consider using a clear shower curtain. There are many tutorials online to choose from too, which will help you choose the perfect match for you and your stroller.
9. Rain Hats
A rain hat can be one of the easiest ways for you to ditch rain accessories. These hats are especially great when it comes to toddlers. The hats are generally made out of the same material as a raincoat, but they offer the protection that a sun hat does. This can actually help keep clothes dryer while also protecting the face from the rain. Apart from that, these hats can save you from having to use an umbrella, which is great if you have toddlers to contend with.
10. Collect Umbrellas
Even though umbrellas can be a pain to deal with, they are one of the best ways to keep the whole family dry. So, you might try to start collecting umbrellas whenever and wherever you can. For instance, if you catch a sale on umbrellas then grab a few. This will save you money, but it will also allow you to be prepared for rain whenever it arrives. Your collection can be dispersed between the house, car, work, school lockers, backpacks and so much more. Plus, if your kids end up losing one of the umbrellas, you’ll have a spare on hand to make sure everyone is covered.
The rainy season can be frustrating if you don’t have a lot of time for cleaning up. Plus, no one wants to feel soaking wet, especially after a long day of work or classes. These ten ideas will help you set up for success, so the rainy season won’t leave your family feeling uncomfortable or vulnerable to colds as the chilly weather sets in.
