TO INFINITY AND BEYOND | LITTLE LIFE BACKPACKS

The summer holidays are in full swing, so with what seems like every other British family, we're enjoying as many days out as we can. Who knows how long this beautiful weather will last (it's already been months it feels like, I know) so we truly want to cherish every moment as when autumn and winter hits I'm sure we'll be doing what we do best and having a good old moan. My boys need a exercising, like animals, they have to get a run out or they'll be going up the walls and ultimately send me crazy in the process. When LittleLife sent us some of their Buzz Lightyear backpacks, it was the perfect excuse for another fun filled summer day out - just with that little Disney magic on top.


My boys are Toy Story fanatics, so it was no surprise that when I saw the buzz design, I opted for them. I was impressed that they stocked the style in the toddler rein backpack, as well as the kids style too so both boys could match. Yes I am that parent. LittleLife offer next day delivery too so if you want to purchase them for a certain date, you know you can with ease. I let the boys put in a few of their own little toys for our day out, before I crammed them with the essentials - so with their backpacks on we headed off to a local beauty spot, a limestone gorge. The reins came in super handy for Mr. Independent Patrick, he rarely wants to hold our hand and we didn't want to confine him to a pushchair as it really defeated the point of a day of wearing him out - so with the reins he could really break free, without actually breaking free. Fooling them into thinking their in control is a winner every time.

The bags also clip around the front of the chest, along with adjustable straps so there isn't any worry that they'll slip off their shoulders during your adventures. The boys adored parading around with them and of course, we had 101 renditions of 'TO infinity and beyond'. So what do I pack in the boys bags for days out? It varies depending on what we are doing and where we're doing but ultimately my top tips are;

1. Snacks snacks snacks, you never know if you're going to get stuck in a traffic jam, or not fancy forking out mortgage prices for a packet of crisps in the local cafe. We only truly started doing this during the time Patrick was dairy intolerant, because we couldn't risk not finding anything for him, but now it's a complete habit. It easier, cheaper and the first thing that goes into any bag I pack for the boys.
2. Wipes, even if your little ones are toilet trained there will be something that needs to be cleaned. Runny noses, dribbling chins, sticky hands or muddy bottoms. My two will get into everything and anything they shouldn't and you can bet your bottom dollar the day I don't bring trusty wipes with us, I'll have needed a pack full.
3. Pointless toys. Noah likes to pack almost anything in his own little bag, I guess it's his way of growing up and however irrelevant it is, I let him do it. I know we're not going to use the one lego brick, or the threading button he's insisted he needs but as long as he feels like he's done his bit then I'm happy because I know he is. A good car or something with wheels is handy though, they can roll them down slides, along fences and play with them at tables if you opt for something to eat out.
4. A childs' cup. Along the same line of the snacks, you never know if you're going to be able to pick up a kid friendly drink or something in a usable bottle for them. More often than not I find the drinks suitable for the boys are ladened with sugar and it's handy if we have our own cup that I can pop water or juice in, so they can hydrate guilt free.

Would we have days out now without the boys having their own bags? No. They're already packed and loaded in the car for our next adventure, as I find it makes leaving the house one hundred times faster if I know we've got the bags ready to go. The boys always carry their own, and I think the super cool design is a big factor to that as they want to carry them, there's no arguments too over who has which one. Thanks LittleLife, you've made days out that little bit smoother for us.


*We were given these backpacks by LittleLife in exchange for a feature on Babies and Beauty. All opinions are my own.