I could have easily titled this ‘How to Grocery Shop like a Crazy Person’ because I realize my affection for grocery shopping goes beyond what is normal. And taking a toddler along with me to three different locations might qualify as borderline insanity. But it’s sort of my thing, so here’s how we manage it.
Preparation is key. After you write your list, gather the necessary supplies.
Choose the time of day when your toddler is usually the happiest. Even if your child just ate, pack snacks.
Yes, the snack cup is empty and being used only for prop purposes. We were out of snacks- that’s why we were going grocery shopping!
When hitting up three different locations, always start with the farmers market. Produce is freshest and cheapest here so load up on as much of your list as possible.
Let your child run free. Set them up with a game of seeing how many rocks they can get in a basket before you check out.
The answer is 36 when gathered 2 at a time.
Back in the car within 15 minutes and on to store numero dos, The Meat House.
Again, risk letting your child run free, as this should be a quick stop as well. Go in knowing what you need to maximize speed, as there are many short shelves with breakable jars. Also, maximize the samples.
Only shop places with samples.
Return to car, put meat in cooler and drive to final location. Check list before you leave the car to plan exactly which aisles you need to hit.
Apologize to toddler for having to strap her into the cart. Make up for it by distracting her with a snack.
And a necklace. Shopping at a place like Target means there are plenty of props ready to help you out: toys, necklaces, Easter eggs (only seasonally). Just remember to drop them back off in the $1 bin section before checking out. They won’t give a darn about that toy once they’re home.
Check out and let your child receive a sticker from the cashier. Unless they are out, like they were yesterday. Then run for the car before meltdown occurs.
Once home, let the toddler sample the goods.
This gives you time to unload, put up and high five yourself for being a super mom. There might even be time for a solo celebratory dance party, but keep that to yourself.
Shopping with kids- any tips to share?
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
Depending on where you shop the bakery might give out a cookie or the deli some lunch meat to the kiddo. Em doesn’t get cookies at home often so the one time a week we grocery shop she knows it’s time for her treat haha.
Erin @ Sugar Magnolia says
Levi’s new thing is standing up in the cart (with the strap on) and trying to give me a heart attack. He can climb out of anything it’s insane. Used to toys kept him somewhat busy while shopping but now he throws them and goes “uh-oh”.
Brittany Dixon says
Ohhhhh my gosh- I about ripped my hair out yesterday evening thanks to the throw-object-say-uhoh game. I’m glad H hasn’t thought to try that one out at the store yet…
Becky says
We’re trying to work on the concept of saying “ut-oh” only when things are accident, not when you intentionally throw something 🙂 Someday…
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
It sounds like you are SUPER prepared when it comes to grocery shopping with a toddler. No wonder you actually enjoy it! 😉
Hanna says
I try to hold off for grocery shopping until my hubby can keep them at home. If he’s not able to keep them then we will go to Publix because they don’t have toys at the kids eye level everywhere you turn! Publix also has the fun car buggies that the girls love to ride in.
Jessica says
She is way too cute – I can’t even handle the pics! 🙂
Carolyn @ LifeWithLyn says
I, too, am a “multiple store” grocery shopper. I don’t have kids, though, so I imagine it’s much more difficult with little ones in tow!
Beth Sheridan says
Oh fabulous post! I love it…My boy LOVES going grocery shopping and he LOVES strapping himself into the care (I know right?!) so we have so much fun shopping together. Since I work full-time, I usually wait until the weekend to grocery shop just so he can go with me. Great tips 🙂
char eats greens says
I love this!! You’re hilarious!!! I hope I become as creative as you for distracting Nia when she reaches that age haha
Christina says
Hahaha, I love this post! My daughter (16 months) is in a stage where she throws a tantrum EVERY time I need to strap her into the car seat, so going anywhere is pretty stressful (let alone going three places in one trip!). Luckily we can stroller-walk to a Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, so lately those are my go-to places.
Side note: I live in Arlington, VA and our farmer’s markets are SO expensive! The quality is definitely better, but I’m always so jealous when people talk about how inexpensive farmer’s markets are near them.
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
Oh, The days of grocery shopping woth your toddler. Sounds like you got the game plan down! Caden is at the stage where it’s clearly impossible to go to more then one store for more then 15 mins. I literally have 15 minutes to grab as much as possible before he starts to Climb out of the cart after he tells me he’s all done. if hes strapped him, meltdown begins. I usually reel Him back in with all the samples but once those are out he’s done. I’ve tried going to meat market, which is fine but I have to hold him or everything on the shelves will be on the floor. Again, their samples save me. I’ve finally have resorted to the express lane and my life is 100% easier. It’s well worth the 5 bucks for my sanity 🙂
Kim says
I’ve become obsessed with sippy cups with straws as those are the only kind my daughter will drink out of (as well as one where the milk doesn’t come out of it) – I have the thermos brand and Nuk brand but it looks like the one on the seat is one I haven’t seen before. Can you share which one it is?
Thanks!
Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life says
Rihght now I am still shopping with an infact… which means hauling an infant carrier around and barely having enough room for groceries in my cart due to the car seat…. My trick is to go grocery shopping immediatly after nap time when she is super happy, so I can but her in the Moby wrap and shop that way while bouncing and dancing down every aisle. I can usually make it through the store with a happy baby this way 🙂
Sarah says
Yes, samples are definitely important! I know the bakery will give out free cookies to little kids, but I’m trying to avoid that becoming an expectation every time we go to the store, so I was very happy to discover the fancy cheese samples at the deli counter! Although I’m afraid I’m creating a bit of a gourmet monster… he now requests bites of “hard cheese” any time I get the big wedge of parmesan out of the fridge! (Also, can I just say how brave you are to let your kid run free at the farmer’s market? Our market might be a bit bigger & busier than yours, but I’m pretty sure I would lose him in a minute. I feel like I need a leash for him when we go there!)
Amy@ahealthyandhappyheart says
Yes snacks are a must! My son just turned 1 year so he isn’t walking around yet…but I always talk to him about what i’m buying, and ask him to hold some (unbreakable!) items for me. He loves to “help” out! I also make silly faces at him when going up and down..he thinks it is funny and keeps him from grabbing everything or trying to escape!
Karen says
Bring handy wipes to wipe down the cart before and after you are finish. This is as much for your child’s safety as well as the next. I wish more people would do this.
Karen says
First, she’s just too cute!! Second, I totally agree with the bringing a snack and going at a time you know your toddler is the happiest. We usually go right after breakfast so that we can get back to play outside & take nap. Works pretty good and she loves places like, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods and Trader Joes so it makes it easy (knock on wood).
Maria says
Hmm, funny. I use all these same tips when grocery shopping with my husband. Especially the sample thing. Not so much the necklace thing.
I tend to grocery shop alone because of this 🙂
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I don’t have a toddler yet, but the key with a babe is to go right after you feed them in hopes that they’ll snooze the whole time! I also have a carseat cover so that it stays dark in there for him. 😉
Holly says
I love grocery shopping with my toddler (21 months) too! We usually hit up a few stores, but often on different days. Snacks are KEY. We also use pouches as special treats while shopping. He doesn’t get them at any other time. I have re-usable ones that I can fill with whatever his favorite foods are at the time, since they change frequently. (and its also much cheaper!)
However, I never take him to the farmer’s market on my own as he is super fast and loves to take things and throw them. We usually go on Saturdays as a family so that there is always someone to hold his hand.
Ashley says
Ha! This is hilarious, but true. My little guy loves the checkout–putting things on the belt, swiping the card, and signing his name (nobody looks at those anyway!). When fussiness starts, I just scoop him up and yell, “It’s time to pay!”.
Lauren says
Singing helps distract and keep my toddler happy. Also letting her help me-putting the apples in the bag, putting an item behind her in the cart. Its kind of funny that at certain stores like target and costco shes been allowed to get out and walk (she looves to push the cart at the bottom) but other stores like trader joes shes never told me all done and has never gotten out of the cart. Sometimes we are in and out and other times oike when she wants to walk I just try and make an adventure out of it. I dont want her to always feel rushed around.
Jen says
Wyatt’s new thing is throwing everything out of the grocery cart. I literally cannot go grocery shopping alone with him anymore. But this is kind of a good thing. Now that I can only go on the weekends, it will force me to meal plan!
Liz says
I don’t have any little ones, but it sounds like you’re doing a great job.
Coleen @ The Redhead Baker says
Hah! I love this. I am also a crazy person who loves to go grocery shopping. But adding in a toddler does make it a little harder. We *always* hit the deli counter because they always offer Liam a slice of cheese (and Liam eats cheese like it’s going extinct, so we are *always* buying cheese!).
Jamie says
This made me smile =) I love reading your blog!
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
Snack snack snack!!!! I bring a million snacks when we go anywhere!!!! I am very well aware that once the snacks are gone, it might be temper tantrum time. Or at least try and throw the eggs out of the cart…or dumb the strawberries into the cart. 😉
Paige says
A stroller is a must at our local produce stand, my little guy is a runner 🙂 I do love a good grocery shopping experience though!
Lani (@armytbonegirl) says
I love that my grocery store (the military commissary) has the “rocket” carts! He loves “driving” around the store while we shop and that will keep him busy long enough for us to get what we need!
Chantal says
I grab an apple from the produce and let her chew on that while we shop, then pay for it later 😉