5 Tips for Shopping with Little Kids

I’m not what you would call a clotheshorse. I have clothes in my closet from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Now not all of the clothing fits, but the fact that I have decades old clothes shows you that I don’t purge my closet often. I’m a bit of a hoarder.

Periodically I declutter. Out-of-date skirts and dresses get tossed. Stained shirts get the boot. Shirts with collars that scream that they are from another decade are thrown in the giveaway pile. Worn out shoes and boots are thrown out. From time to time…after the Great Decluttering of 2011…I will get the urge to go shopping.

When my kids were little, I would put off buying clothes for as long as I could. I know you may wonder how I shopped for anything, particularly clothing, with little ones underfoot.Shopping for me with the littles was actually quite easy.

1. Plan Your Shopping Trip

Often with an older child in preschool, the younger ones and I would head to a big box store or the mall to shop.

2. Pack the Stroller

As I pushed the stroller or cart through the aisles my little ones would happily look around. Buy a sturdy stroller.

3. Skip the Changing Room

I never tried on any clothing so there was no time lost in the changing room.

4. Make It a Quick Shopping Trip

Of course, I had to constantly pick up clothing that the kids pulled down…why are clothing racks so close and why do toddlers have a such a long reach even when strapped in to strollers? Pack snacks and a few small toys to keep kids occupied as you shop. Purchase a fabric shopping cart cover.

5. Checkout!

With my clothing picked out we’d head to the checkout.