This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.
I adore the unscheduled busy days of summer, there’s no other time of year that you can spontaneously take a day trip or a weekend away. This is exactly what we’ve been doing often, touring here and there – taking in the sights, tastes and smells of this wonderful season. Just last week the girls and I took three trips, ranging from 1-3 days. Yes, do the math, that was a week full of summer adventure!
It only goes without saying, I like to keep a day bag ready and waiting, for those impromptu moments when I can sneak away for a change of pace. While some events require specific things to pack, they all have a constant set of items required. These are the must-have items on hand for summer fun.
Whether you’re heading to a cabin in the far neck of the Rockies or a cottage in Muskoka, these essential kits should be at the top of your packing list for a safe and comfortable summer escape.
- Essential #1 – the Sun Kit
- Your sun kit should include all the essentials you need to make sure you’re not turning in to a lobster, and spending most of your escape treating your sunburns! This means packing sunglasses, hats, lots of water, and of course sunscreen!
- If you’re heading outside, always reach for sun protection first – including your Coppertone ClearlySheer SPF 50, Coppertone Sport SPF 30 and Kids SPF 60 sunscreens. And while it’s important to apply 15 minutes before heading outdoors, make sure you are reapplying every two hours or 80 min in or after going in the water.
- Essential #2 – the Rainy Day Kit
- On the flip side, we’re not always so lucky with our weather, but a little rain shouldn’t ruin your summer escape. Your rainy day kit should include board games, a deck of cards, and lots of pens and paper. While people will often reach for their phones and tablets during the rain, you can still enjoy some family time without the presence of electronics!
- Essential #3 – the Snack Kit
- My kids would agree with this one (…and frankly, I can’t blame them!), as you’ll need a good snack kit for any trip. My kit usually includes a yummy but healthy mix including a trail mix, granola bars, a few bananas and apples, a low-sodium beef jerky, and for a treat the kids will love, everything needed for a campfire s’mores.
- Essential #4 – the Medical Kit
- With all the outdoor time, you’re bound to encounter some minor scrapes and bruises. Pick up a general first aid kit to be safe, including bandages, disinfectant wipes and gauze. For women, yeast infections can happen anytime, especially in situations with wet bathing suits. Keep CanesOral Combi-Pak on hand for easy and convenient go-to relief so you can get back to being you , and not let it ruin your summer escape.
- Essential #5 – the Bug Kit
- Nothing says summer like mosquitoes and other little insects. While a fly swatter might do the trick some, you don’t want to forget your Muskol Insect Repellent – it provides eight hours of effective protection against mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks (a growing threat here in Canada) among others.
These five essential kits will ensure you can enjoy your summer escapes, without running out to the nearest shop for sunscreen and marshmallows!
What else would you include on your summer escape list?
WIN IT: One Canadian reader will get a Summer Essentials Package from Bayer, valued at $250. It includes the products pictured below, and also an amazing solar powered charger which has come in handy for all my summer travels as well.
TO ENTER: Fill in the form below with your qualifying entries. Good luck!
This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.
Elva Roberts says
07/18/2017 at 2:10 pmI love baking soda in baking certain recipes but you have to be careful of the amount.
ivy pluchinsky says
07/18/2017 at 2:25 pmI use baking soda to clean or whiten my teeth
MaryG says
07/18/2017 at 2:31 pmMy baking soda secret is to use it as a body scrub in the shower. It’s fantastic and effective.
leanne says
07/18/2017 at 2:33 pmI use it in my fridge and freezer to prevent smells
Jonnie says
07/18/2017 at 2:55 pmI use baking soda in shoes to help prevent odour and control moisture
Tara says
07/18/2017 at 3:15 pmI use it in the wash to get my towels smelling fresh every time.
Kathleen Bailey says
07/18/2017 at 3:49 pmI use baking soda with vinegar to clear my drains.
Melinda Jana says
07/18/2017 at 5:48 pmi use it to help tackle the stains in our bathtub
Glogirl says
07/18/2017 at 6:35 pmMy favourite baking soda secret is to add a bit to your facial cleanser to turn it into a gentle exfoliater.
Alison Braidwood says
07/18/2017 at 8:57 pmI use it in my cats’ litter boxes, and as a natural drain cleaner (with white vinegar, and boiling water).
Tina L. says
07/18/2017 at 9:07 pmI use baking soda and vinegar to clear the drains.
Soozle says
07/19/2017 at 5:01 amI use baking soda as a paste to clean and whiten my teeth
Carol Denny says
07/19/2017 at 5:36 amI use baking soda to clean and with baking.
Kim K says
07/19/2017 at 6:20 amI use baking soda as a tooth polish.
Juliee Fitze says
07/19/2017 at 6:42 amMy favourite way to use baking soda is to use it to remove stains.
Allie f says
07/19/2017 at 6:47 amI use it to deodorize my fridge and freezer!
Florence Cochrane says
07/19/2017 at 6:53 amLove of the great things in the Summer Essentials Package from Bayer, I would love some of the coppertone sunscreen.
I love using Baking soda to clean and shine my sink.
kathy downey says
07/19/2017 at 7:08 amI LOVE BAKING SODA FOR CLEANING TUB AND SHOWER DOORS!
Lindsay Threlkeld says
07/19/2017 at 7:12 amI like baking with baking soda.
I love your sun kit, we’ve already gone through so much sunscreen this summer!
Nicole S says
07/19/2017 at 7:40 amThanks for the chance. I like to clean the bathroom with lemon and baking soda.
Lori L. says
07/19/2017 at 8:51 amI sprinkle baking soda onto my white cutting board then cover in vinegar to make a paste. Leave in the sun for a few hours then rinse off & it looks new again!
Janet M says
07/19/2017 at 9:20 amI use baking soda to clean drains on a monthly basis.
Travelbuds says
07/19/2017 at 9:41 amI use baking soda in my drains, in fact just did it a few days ago.
Marlene J says
07/19/2017 at 9:51 amClean the Microwave
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.
Doris Calvert says
07/19/2017 at 9:57 amI use it to keep things fresh like your fridge, shoes, packed up clothes
jan says
07/19/2017 at 10:18 amI honestly only ever used baking soda in recipes. So many others uses!
louise says
07/19/2017 at 10:39 amI use baking soda and vinegar to unplug my sinks, also use baking soda in my wash is removes grease off my husband clothing.
Julie F says
07/19/2017 at 10:42 amTo keep my teeth white I clean them once a week with baking powder
Jennifer P. says
07/19/2017 at 11:11 amMy favourite baking soda secret is to put it in my cat’s litterbox to help reduce odours.
Lynda Cook says
07/19/2017 at 2:12 pmBaking soda is great for so many things, from whitening my teeth to cleaning my stove top, plus I like to sprinkle some on the carpet before vacuuming too!
Francine says
07/19/2017 at 4:18 pmBaking soda is great for removing countertop stains
Catherine Cole says
07/19/2017 at 4:22 pmI use baking soda along with vinegar ins smell cleaner
Heather Ritz says
07/19/2017 at 4:23 pmI use baking soda to freshen the food disposal
Catherine Cole says
07/19/2017 at 4:24 pmI use baking soda along with vinegar in my sinks to make the drains smell better and run better
Kim Tanti says
07/19/2017 at 4:59 pmAfter washing my veggies and fruit I put it in a jar of applecider vinegar and baking soda then rinse again.
Erika Letson says
07/19/2017 at 5:48 pmMy favourite baking soda secret is to use it in my family’s bath water to soften their skin!
Elaine G says
07/19/2017 at 6:37 pmI use baking soda to clean the drains
Tasha says
07/19/2017 at 9:02 pmMy favourite way to use baking soda is to remove the dirt and grime from bathroom tiles.
Nicole W. says
07/19/2017 at 9:24 pmI have to admit that I don’t have a baking soda secret… but I’m greatly enjoying those that others have posted above! Very helpful! I need to try it for cleaning apparently! 😉 Thanks for the chance to win a great looking prize
Carole D says
07/19/2017 at 9:28 pmI don’t have any baking soda secret! I use it in my fridge and freezer to prevent odors and in the bath tub to soften my skin.
Erin McSweeney says
07/19/2017 at 9:40 pmwhen your kid throws up on carpet putting baking soda on it helps to absorb the smell and get out the stain
Maritess says
07/19/2017 at 9:53 pmI put baking soda on a pouch with essential oils and place it in my shoe and coat closet to refresh the it at all times.
Marlene Unruh says
07/19/2017 at 10:59 pmI just used a baking soda paste on my little grandaughter to ease mosquito bites, it really helped.
Sarah alexis says
07/20/2017 at 12:28 amMy mom taught me to sprinkle it on counter-top stains and then scrub them away!!!!
Elaine Jasvins says
07/20/2017 at 5:32 amBaking soda and vinegar to clean my metal drinking bottles
lori a butler says
07/20/2017 at 6:11 ami mix some with my toothpaste to whiten my teeth
Kelley Moore says
07/20/2017 at 9:56 amI put baking soda in my travel trailer fridge at the end of the camping season to keep it from getting mildew while in storage
Dana Miller says
07/20/2017 at 12:43 pmMy best use of baking soda so far is to use it as a teeth whitener. On our bucket list this summer, my daughter would like us to make homemade bath bombs together with baking soda and essential oils.
Gillian Morgan says
07/20/2017 at 5:24 pmI add baking soda to my cats litter box to keep it fresh longer.
Andrea Amy says
07/21/2017 at 12:04 amI use baking soda with vinegar as a general household cleaner.
Stephanie LaPlante says
07/21/2017 at 6:09 amMy favorite is to mix it with vinegar and use it to clean.
409cope says
07/21/2017 at 12:46 pmI use baking soda and vinegar to unclog drains.
Maryanne says
07/21/2017 at 6:36 pmI like to use it sometimes as toothpaste!
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard says
07/21/2017 at 7:36 pmwe use it in the fridge and freezer to prevent smells
HEIDI C. says
07/21/2017 at 8:44 pmI use it to deoderize our cat litter and to keep our fridge and freezer fresh.
Jolie says
07/21/2017 at 9:30 pmI always have a box in my fridge 🙂
Amie says
07/21/2017 at 11:47 pmRelieve insect bites ! Make a simple paste of water and baking soda and apply as a salve onto affected skin!
Tainan Lu says
07/22/2017 at 5:12 amI use baking soda to clean my bathroom
Elizabeth R says
07/22/2017 at 5:44 amI sprinkle baking soda in the litter boxes, helps keep odour away.
Wendy Wagar says
07/22/2017 at 9:20 amI always used baking soda in my kids running shoes and other sport shoes. Just let it sit overnight and then put it down the drain in the morning. Works every time and does double duty cleaning the drains.
abrown says
07/22/2017 at 9:33 amjust add sunglasses, some cold drinks and a book for everyone and it’s perfect!
Tammy Harrison says
07/22/2017 at 10:01 amI use baking soda and lavender essential oil to deodorize carpet, car upholstery, beds, and especially my dog bed
Heather Bush says
07/22/2017 at 11:28 amI use it to keep my refrigerator smelling fresh
Sab Edwards says
07/22/2017 at 2:42 pmok I keep baking soda in the fridge and freezer… and when baking I have to say cow brand (so I don’t grab the baking POWDER by mistake lol)
Sab Edwards says
07/25/2017 at 11:12 pmI won this from another blogger so please delete my entries GOOD LUCK EVERYONE
Ashleigh Swerdfeger says
07/22/2017 at 3:00 pmPour baking soda and vinegar down the sink to clean the drain.
Sheryl P says
07/22/2017 at 3:35 pmI use baking soda to keep drains in the house smelling fresh
wobbles13 says
07/22/2017 at 3:44 pmi pour baking soda into the kitchen compose to keep it from stinky
Tara Betterley says
07/22/2017 at 4:10 pmMy baking soda secret is that I put it in my grey tanks of my trailer to keep the odor down..
Alex. says
07/22/2017 at 5:26 pmI use baking soda mixed with vinegar to clean my windows
Margo b says
07/22/2017 at 5:39 pmI use it in the refrigerator to keep the fridge smelling nice
LILLIAN BROWN says
07/22/2017 at 6:17 pmMy favourite way to use baking soda is to keep my fridge smelling fresh
M Thompson says
07/22/2017 at 6:40 pmI use baking soda and vinegar to clean drains
Judy Cowan says
07/22/2017 at 6:42 pmI make a paste of it with water and use it to scrub surfaces that I need to clean.
Cathy C says
07/22/2017 at 8:13 pmI like to use it for my sink drains and also the dishwasher to freshen it up every month.
Wanda Tracey says
07/22/2017 at 8:27 pmI use Arm & Hammer baking soda in the final stages of boiling down my maple syrup so that if there are any dirt particles left that were missed they come to the top in the foam and can be scooped off.
Linda G says
07/22/2017 at 9:42 pmBaking Soda (I use the box that I keep in the fridge to prevent odours) & vinegar clears out the drain,
Alana LeSueur says
07/23/2017 at 1:49 amBaking soda is incredible for adding to laundry,(as is vinegar terrific for setting vibrant colours initially on the first washing)…I use baking soda exclusively for cleaning all my pots and pans.
Wendy Jensen says
07/23/2017 at 8:18 amIt is not really a secret but my use for baking soda is to deodorize my fridge.
Betty S says
07/23/2017 at 10:33 amI put a box of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down my kitchen drain to keep it sweet smelling
Sherry F says
07/23/2017 at 12:16 pmI like to use the old baking soda from my fridge for a volcano in my kitchen sink with some vinegar. It is fun for my grandchildren and really keeps the kitchen drain smelling nice.
Karla Sceviour says
07/23/2017 at 12:52 pmI use a box of baking soda in my fridge to keep out odors. Its not really a secret though lol 🙂
Geraldine Durant says
07/23/2017 at 3:49 pmI use baking soda as a tub scrub and teeth whitening
Krista M says
07/23/2017 at 4:07 pmI like to use baking soda in the washing machine with my loads to boost deodorizing the clothes.
Elizabeth Vlug says
07/23/2017 at 4:57 pmI use a little baking soda and water to soak pots with burnt residue in them. I leave it overnight and then just wash in the morning. Usually the stuff comes right off.
Claire Martel says
07/23/2017 at 7:57 pmBaking Soda for Brushing Teeth
Amy Heffernan says
07/24/2017 at 7:08 amI like to put it in the fridge for odors!
Jessica eapen says
07/24/2017 at 8:49 amI keep a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to keep the insides smelling fresh.
Kimberly Dougherty says
07/24/2017 at 9:59 amI use baking soda with glue and contact solution to make my kids some slime!
Marilyn M says
07/24/2017 at 11:14 amI use baking soda to clean the kitchen stainless steel sink
Robyn Bellefleur says
07/24/2017 at 12:01 pmI like to use it to brush my teeth with to help keep them white.
Katrina says
07/24/2017 at 5:18 pmI use baking soda in shoes to help prevent odour.
Tava says
07/24/2017 at 5:24 pmI make a baking soda paste to make all the taps sparkle like new – it’s as close to a magazine as any part of the house will ever get!
Linda says
07/24/2017 at 6:31 pmI like to use baking soda with lemon juice to scrub my countertops.
Debbie W says
07/25/2017 at 5:59 amI add it to my bath. It softens the water and I feel fresher.
leeanne c says
07/25/2017 at 6:30 amI like to use it to clean my jewelry, scrub the bathroom and kept in the fridge
Christine Murray says
07/25/2017 at 9:07 amI use it with vinegar to keep the drains clean. I also use it in my wash to help eliminate ordors.
Caryn Coates says
07/25/2017 at 12:26 pmI love using baking soda in my laundry
Erin W says
07/25/2017 at 1:10 pmI mix baking soda with vinegar to use on stains!
Alea Elliott says
07/25/2017 at 4:34 pmMy secret is to use baking soda to whiten teeth!
Julie-Lynne McCann says
07/25/2017 at 6:32 pmBaking Soda & water ….make into paste and place on any stains in carpet …leave for a few hours or until dry then vacuum up …the stain is gone …great for when animals or kids are sick on the carpet
Sarah Jackson says
07/25/2017 at 7:48 pmBaking soda in the kids shoes overnight to help get rid of the stink !
Laval Brassard says
07/25/2017 at 8:14 pmI use baking soda in my pool
dave says
07/25/2017 at 9:21 pmI use it in my fridge
Sharon says
07/25/2017 at 10:12 pmI use it to clean marks on walls…
Laurie P says
07/26/2017 at 10:54 amI add baking soda to my laundry, makes a huge difference!
Maria says
07/26/2017 at 2:28 pmI use baking soda in my kids sneakers to take smell out
Lucy says
07/26/2017 at 2:36 pmI use it for getting rid of tea stains!
Victoria Ess says
07/27/2017 at 7:15 amI use it to clean my appliances!
Sunshine G says
07/27/2017 at 9:40 amIt’s great to clean coffee stained mugs – once they’re soaked with a teaspoon of baking soda, the stains come off like magic!
SweetPanda says
07/27/2017 at 10:26 amI use baking soda to clean the grease on the tiles at the back of my stove
Karine says
07/28/2017 at 8:01 amI put it in my hair when it’s greasy to refresh it quickly!
TJ Turnbull says
07/28/2017 at 11:33 ambaking soda in a luke warm bath helps relieve a sun burn
Jenny Major says
07/28/2017 at 1:21 pmI use baking soda to clean or whiten my teeth
Josie Tusa says
07/29/2017 at 5:23 pmI use baking soda together with my detergent to give my laundry that extra boost.
Tara Gauthier says
07/30/2017 at 12:20 amI like to use it for general household cleaning, so many things it can tackle!
Erica Seaman says
07/30/2017 at 4:26 amI like to add vinegar to the rinse cycle of the wash,it leave clothes and towels soft and sparkling clean.
Doris Humber says
07/30/2017 at 4:55 pmIt is great for whitening my teeth.