I’m sharing our new summer wardrobe from Target Baby as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #TargetCrowd
We are about to head out on our very first family vacation of the year, and I have spent the past few days gathering, cleaning, and packing myself silly in anticipation of the big day. The entire family is buzzing with excitement, and I can’t tell you how much I need a break! I am of course excited about getting away, but really I just can’t wait to watch the kids experience and explore new things. As a mother I get super misty watching their eyes light up with happiness! These two rock my world, and even though they don’t always get along, when they do it’s pure magic. I anticipate all kinds of magic in a few days when we pack up and head out to sunny Florida for almost a week of top secret adventures. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about it later, but for now let’s just focus on what goes into preparation for this trip.
One thing that inevitably happens on vacations is that kids tend to need a few different changes of clothes throughout the day. They aren’t really getting dirty for the most part, but if you’re doing the beach in the morning, some exploring in the afternoon and a nice meal in the evening then you are going to need a different outfit option to go along with each situation. I am a big fan of kids fashion, but as much as I love it I don’t want to spend a ton on them so I stick with affordable favorites like Target that also have oh-my-gosh adorable outfits to choose from. I also love that they offer cool mix and match pieces that can be worn interchangeably too!
Speaking of affordable fashion, let’s talk about the basics of Summer vacation wardrobes. Going on a family vacation is supposed to be fun and easy, so I think that the kids clothes should reflect that as well.
Flowy fabrics
For girls I love light, bright, and airy dresses that are quick drying and really easy to get on like this dress from Target. It was less than $15and perfect for all kinds of activities. Plus she just loves twirling in it!
Happy Feet
And let’s not forget the shoes – comfort is king but style is a close second. When buying shoes for a vacation, repeat after me: BREAK THEM IN! If you don’t, constant walking in a brand new shoe will make feet very unhappy. Also, if you’re buying flip-flops you want to make sure the webbing that goes between the toes is fabric or at least some kind of foam – if you get the plastic kind it will rub and be extremely uncomfortable very quickly! Judah’s flops here were less than $10 at Target – quite a steal for comfy shoes, right?
Breathability
Summer time is hot. When it comes to vacation wear, active kids need fabrics that let in air. Choose fabrics that breathe and cuts that allow for air flow like this adorable polka dot top that has quickly become Kaia’s new favorite!
Sun protection
If you are going to be outdoors, you will want to protect skin from sun damage. Sometimes it is hard to lotion up wiggly littles, and some kids (like Kaia) are super sensitive to sun block so having a cover or a wide brimmed hat is going to come in handy and block the sun’s rays.
Comfort
Any mom will tell you that an uncomfortable toddler is an unhappy toddler. They aren’t exactly capable of the grin-and-bear-it technique when their clothes are uncomfortable, so ill-fitting clothes are a bad idea, especially on vacation. When sizing for vacation clothes, either know your size or let them try pieces on and test them out before purchase. I make it a point to know which brands run true to size and which don’t, and it is also a good idea to make sure there are no odd components to the clothing like straps that can fall down or get in the way. So please, make sure kiddos are comfy in their outfits so they can play until their little hearts are content!
Be prepared for accidents
If you have kids I’m sure you have experienced the bathroom accident in public scenario. I have – I thought Kaia was ready to brave a day out without a diaper on. I kept asking her if she needed to go with no luck, and then it happened. I went to pick her up when she immediately squatted with her pants on and then got upset with herself and covered her face with her hands. She was embarrassed, I was embarrassed, and it wasn’t a happy thing for either of us. I want her to feel like she is protected on vacation, and even though she does well with underwear she just isn’t ready to go on trips like this with them. I’m a big fan of natural products that work well, and I just love the new Honest diaper prints available exclusively at Target.
One stop shop
Guess what? Everything the kids are wearing in this post is available at Target! Their baby and toddler section is filled to the brim with adorable styles, and I love that I can pick them up at the same place I am getting other travel essentials from. I’m not a fan of driving back and forth, so having one central place to shop is super important to me. I save time, I save gas, and that means more time with these littles!
