A Well Packed Purse—Toddler Survival Kit

Everyone with children has had that one moment when you wished you had something in your purse to provide entertainment (after some point, many of us have downsized from a diaper bag to a moderately sized purse, right?). Waiting rooms and restaurants occasionally provide activities for busy children; however, a properly prepared "survival kit" in your purse is worth its weight in gold. Here are a few suggestions of what to pack and keep stocked in your purse.

Mini photo album: You can use this time to remind your child/children about family members who live far away or friends they may not see often. We like to keep a small album of trips to the zoo. We talk about the animals and what we remember from our visit. Young babies love to stare at photos of other young babies so you might consider recycling those parenting magazines to cut out pictures.

Ziplock bag of stickers and index cards: Stickers are a great way to work on fine motor skills and the index cards are the perfect size. Crayons are easy to throw in this bag as well.

A tape measure: A great tool for learning measurements and math. The possibilities are endless for measuring salt & pepper shakers, silverware, flowers, chairs and more. We like the soft variety found at any craft store—it’s lightweight and easy to store.

Small pots of play dough: These are easy to keep in your purse and provide another great way to help with fine motor skills. It's a compact and quiet activity. A great idea is to each pick something to mold and then play a guessing game of what it might be. You might be surprised by the answers.

Kids can be busy and impatient in any situation. Keeping them occupied with one on one interaction and with quality items in your purse during a good wait could provide an excellent opportunity for learning and sharing.