Shopping with School Age Kids

Shopping with school aged children is not always the easiest task.  Shopping with kids (of all ages) always makes things interesting.   Kids are full of life and bring adventure and life wherever they go.  This totally includes shopping trips.

This summer, the boys and I have been doing our errands and grocery shopping together.  Some days and trips it goes without a hitch and super smooth.  Other trips you would have guessed WWIII broke out in aisle 10!  Shopping with (my) kids is an adventure.

I have learned that when I follow these five guidelines before we enter the store… our shopping trip goes smoother.  Not always perfect, but it is quick and effective… we get the job done.  Below are five tips that work for my boys (and me) for shopping together.

Five Tips for Shopping with School Aged Kids

Do not shop hungry

This is an excellent tip for kids of all ages (young and old) as well as Mama.  When we are hungry we get HANGRY.  When we are hungry we make rash decisions on our food choices.  Our patience is limited.  Make sure YOU and your kids have a snack (or meal) before shopping… or you will find yourself grabbing items that are not on your list or children throwing snacks in the cart because they are starving.

Do not shop when tired

When you are tired you are not as alert and your patience is low.  When your children are young (infants/toddlers) it is smart to shop around their napping schedule.  As your children get older, although they may not take naps anymore, they still have an optimum time for shopping and being out in public.

For example, my children do not do well after 4PM in public.  It is just not an enjoyable experience to be around other people in a grocery store at that time of day.

This also goes for Mama’s optimum time of day for shopping.  Do YOU shop better in the morning, afternoon or evening?  We all have our natural rhythms during the day that give us energy… or make our midday slump.

Create and use a shopping list

Always be prepared.  Do your meal planning before hand at home and create your shopping list.  Use your shopping list.  This is not the time (shopping with kids) to meal plan while shopping or browsing the entire store and dream shop.

Helpful tip: Have your children help you find items on the list and/or cross off items.  Involve them with the shopping experience.  This can be a fun game as well as make the shopping trip go by quickly.

Get in.  Get your stuff.  Get out.  Be efficient and quick as possible.  You have kids with you.

Set clear expectations

Be sure to tell your children your expectations before you set foot in the store.  Tell them how you expect them to behave, act, and more.  This doesn’t always go as planned, but it helps when they need a firm reminder while shopping.

Are they allowed to walk or ride on/in the cart?  Do you need to see them at all times?  Can they push the cart?

Setting clear expectations won’t guarantee a smooth and distraction-free shopping experience, but it can help everyone involved to know where they stand.

Reward system

Part of my clear expectations (mentioned above) is that if/when my children behave a certain way, they earn a reward for helping Mommy shopping.  I am not above bribing or rewarding my children (so this might not work for everyone).  Your reward doesn’t have to be big  or elaborate.  It could be a fun activity you do together later, a yummy meal or dessert treat.

The J.M. Smucker Company contacted me and asked me to share about their product for a #SundaeFundae.  While shopping at Wal-Mart with the boys, our reward for their shopping behavior was fun Smucker’s® Ice Cream Toppings of their choice.  It is summer and hot outside.  Our family has been enjoying making our own ice cream with our ice cream ball (I shared our experience a few weeks ago).  They were very excited to pick out their own topping of choice to use on their ice cream.

I will share the boys ice cream creations using the Smucker’s® sundae toppings in a few weeks.  They can get quite creative… and they LOOK delicious!

What are some of your tips and tricks for shopping with school aged children?
Do you offer a reward for good behavior while shopping with kids?
Have you tried Smucker’s® Ice Cream Toppings?