Whether you're going hiking, to the pool, beach, baseball game or theme park, you'll want to pack some snacks. You want something you'll actually eat, nothing that will melt or get smashed, doesn't need to be refrigerated, lightweight, and disposable. Here are some ideas:
1. Buy some Snacks you don't normally have in the house-those are boring and you (especially the kids) will probably opt for the great-smelling popcorn or $12 candy. It's okay to splurge on a treat, but if you have snacked well, you won't need to spend as much because you're hungry. Maybe the pouch applesauce (it's fun to suck from the pouch) or character snacks (Angry Bird shaped crackers or Mickey Mouse fruit snacks)
2. Make your own trail mix. Use Reece's Pieces instead of plain M&M's or almonds instead of peanuts. Try adding dried coconut or your favorite cereal. Use dried cranberries instead of raisins. Letting the kids mix their own will help them be more inclined to eat it.
3. Be sure to hydrate. The powder add-ins will be a lot cheaper than buying soda or juices. I love the Vitamin C packets. They actually taste pretty good too.
4. Energy Bars or cereal bars. Cliff bars and Lara bars are my personal favorite. Also, the Golden Graham cereal bars are pretty good.
5. I heard this tip about Disneyland, but it could be adapted for other places-at the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor, you can get the biggest Waffle Cone and ice creamless cones and scoop from the giant waffle cone for the kids. Sharing a treat is a fun way to enjoy and try things. At a baseball game, it's easy to share peanuts and popcorn. Pack some baggies so everyone gets their own.
This past week I was able to go on an "Amazing Race" with the youth for their Youth Conference. We traveled by bus and light rail to downtown Denver and they had to follow clues around the city. It was a ton of walking and I was impressed at how well I was able to keep up with them. They were such a nice group of kids-especially MY group. But some of the most memorable things were people we met or saw downtown, especially homeless people and street performers and some just hanging around. One challenge was to play chess with a stranger and teach a gospel principle. You had to find the public chess boards and talk someone into playing with you. The guy we found was really nice and was trying not to win too fast, but really our team would have liked him to just do it quick so we could move on. Another time, we saw a guy playing a banjo who was very talented and I wondered if he made a living just playing his banjo. People in general are very nice and helpful. I've always preferred to believe that people are basically good, some are just lost or have had a hard life. I know there are some downright evil people in the world, but I didn't come across any in the past few days. Of course, I also know that the Lord was blessing and protecting this great group of kids and I'm grateful for that. I'm also grateful to have been able to participate and to be with my daughter.
