Ideally, choose a time shopping when the children will be well rested, fed, and you will not be pressed for time. A tired, hungry child will be much more difficult to work with. Shopping with young children inevitably takes longer than shopping solo, so allow for extra time if at all possible. And be sure you are well fed, rested, and in a good frame of mind, too; if you are crabby, you are also be more likely to have problems with the trip. If possible, go on a trip to the playground beforehand. Getting physical energy out and having fun tends to make for more relaxed children. Try to keep shopping trips short. It is sometimes tempting to try to get everything done at once, but children have short attention spans and typically do not really enjoy stores. If possible, go to one store in the morning, and then one in the afternoon rather than attempt two back-to-back trips.
Make a shopping list. It can save time and help keep you on task so you don't forget a major item, and then have to go back again. You can write down your list on a piece of paper or keep your list on your phone. The advantage of using a digital shopping list is that it's easier to edit, and you can share it simultaneously with your partner.
Make a shopping list for your child too. With a picture-based list even a young child can stay busy checking things off. Older children can be responsible for part of the list all by themselves. You can easily find such lists online or make them by yourself in Microsoft Word.
When at the store, briefly but clearly go over expected behavior and what they can do to help.Tell the children which store you are going to and that you will be buying the groceries. You don't have to be overly heavy-handed about this, but a reminder helps make clear what's expected. Also remind about any potential rewards, such as making a special lunch afterwards.
Pick a sage cart. Avoid carts that have broken, or no safety straps in the seating area. Many children are seriously injured by shopping carts. If you see a broken belt, tell a manager. Some stores offer carts with special seating, cars on the front of the shopping cart or seats off of the back of the cart. The cars only fits small children and it's hard to see the child once inside.
Assign older children to a job you think is special enough for them to do. As you go by through the store they can be carrying out their special job and that should also make the shopping trip easier and faster for you as well. At the end of the trip praise them on how well they did their job so that they earn a sense of achievement. Suggestions for Special Helper Jobs:Grocery Shop With Kids Step 6Bullet1 Version 2.jpg Read the list to you.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 6Bullet2 Version 2.jpg Find a bunch of five bananasGrocery Shop With Kids Step 6Bullet3 Version 2.jpg Hand your list of deli purchases to the deli worker, and bring the items back.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 6Bullet4 Version 2.jpg Get a liter of milk.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 6Bullet5 Version 2.jpg Find the cheapest paper towels.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 6Bullet6 Version 2.jpg Find a coupon for you. (Even non-readers can match pictures to products.)Grocery Shop With Kids Step 6Bullet7.jpg Remind you to get an item (even if its on the list already).
Be Efficient. If you're meandering through the aisles, flirting with the cute seafood manager, and shuffling through your flier, you'll try the patience of the little ones.
Be Educational. The grocery store is a real-world situation in which reading, math, problem-solving and more are easily taught. Count the fruits and vegetables as you get them from the bin.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 8Bullet1 Version 2.jpg Have your child read the list as you walk the aisle.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 8Bullet2 Version 2.jpg Have your child find the cheapest item.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 8Bullet3 Version 2.jpg Have your older child figure which item is cheapest per unit.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 8Bullet4 Version 2.jpg Read the item's label out loud, point to the word, and put it in the cart.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 8Bullet5 Version 2.jpg Have your older child find the cereal with the most fiber, the least calories, or most Vitamin C (or whatever feature you're looking for).Grocery Shop With Kids Step 8Bullet6 Version 2.jpg Ask your young child what animal made a certain food (milk, eggs, cheese, bacon, etc.)Grocery Shop With Kids Step 8Bullet7 Version 2.jpg Point out colors of foods. Ask them if they can spot a red food, purple food, or yellow food.Grocery Shop With Kids Step 8Bullet8 Version 2.jpg
Thank your Children. At the end of the shopping trip, thank your children for their excellent work. A reward may be in order for a successful trip. However, pick a treat that you can be consistent with week to week. It does not have to be large. Ideas include: Stickers A trip to the park after the groceries are put away. A favorite song on the way home. Avoid sugary treats. A cookie, ice cream cone, or soda for a good shopping trip may be a welcome treat, but setting up an unhealthy food expectation is probably not a good idea. Do not start anything you do not want to do every week. If you get a toy from the vending machine once, or a ride on a kiddie ride, or the like, your kids will likely whine to do it every shopping trip. If you are willing to do it every time, great - be sure to factor it in your trip. But if it becomes an annoyance or a point of meltdown because you do not usually remember quarters, rethink the treat.
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