How to Make a Family Sports Basket

Comments May 8, 2012 | Kids, Sports, Spring

Today we are going to talk about how you can make your very own family sports basket. Designed to stay in the back of your car and go in and out with a moment’s notice with everything you need. I’ve had a few years to collect a few ideas both of my own and from some very seasoned sports Moms that I think you’ll find very helpful as you navigate the busiest part of your family’s spring sports season. Here are my tips:

1. PIck the Perfect Basket: I love this one because they have come down in price, now widely available at big box retailers at just $5, picking stripes so its easily identified, loving the padded handles so anyone can carry it, and the awesome open top so you can easily get things in and out for everyone in your crew.

2. Pack it With a Purpose: a. Always carry sunscreen: Check the expiration dates to make sure you have a fresh supply, include sunscreen for the face that is different than that used on the rest of the body and consider using a sports formulary that won’t wear off while your family is sweating.
b. Carry bug spray and bug bite solutions at all times: Its one thing to use a spray to prevent mosquito bites and entirely another to be dealing with a swollen red ant bug bite. Have necessary items to clean and cover the wound and hopefully take down the swelling and pain swirly.
c. Create a sanitizing bag: If you spend enough time at sports fields, you’ll find way too many don’t include permanent facilities. This bag is key both to use in the less than clean restroom and to use after the fact. You’ll never regret having more than enough wipes, hand sanitizer, and mini-lysol spray.
d. First Aid Kit: Speaks for itself…just make sure to freshen it up at the beginning of every sports season, not just once a year.
e. Medicine on the Go: Include key medicines like aspirin, Motrin, items for upset stomachs or lower GI upsets. I actually have this bag that I include in my purse all year round so its a snap to just transfer it back and forth as needed.

3. Be ready for the Weather: This is where you make sure to always have a compact umbrella for those storms that take you by surprise. As well, include a durable lightweight but warm blanket that you can both snuggle up in if its chilly or spread out on the ground for everyone to relax.

4. Team Parent Supplies: If you are that very awesome person who has volunteered your time, I have a few favorites everyone will love. The Coaches clipboard is genius because not only does it give you a clip in case people need a flat surface but it also opens up to let you fill it with supplies you never know when you’ll need. A short list of my favorites include: Post it Notes, permanent marker, masking tape, pens, paper, envelopes incase you need to collect money, game and snack schedules and more. You as a team parent have so much responsibility to get people to communicate and serve in the snack shack, its all about making it happen without a hitch.

Creating a team parent central makes it possible for anyone to find what they need. After all that’s what you are trying to do ~ have what people need handy, but not always be the one to give it to them And just for extra credit ~ don’t forget to throw in plenty of snacks. I hope these tips help you this Spring as you take your family out into the wonderful world of sports and I’d love to know…

How do you set up your Family Sports Basket each season?

Thanks for stopping by!