Must-pack outdoor essentials
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- Lightweight stroller — 3Dlite ST convenience stroller folds for buses; shade + basket for layers. Confirm size on the official park site.
- Kids sunscreen SPF 50+ — Aveeno Kids SPF 50; reapply about every 2 hours (6+ months, or as your pediatrician advises)
- Wide-brim / UPF hat — Sunday Afternoons kids UPF hat for face, ears, neck
- Insulated water bottle — Owala FreeSip Kids 16 oz; offer water every 30–45 minutes
- Rain poncho — kids hooded rain ponchos for afternoon storms
- Cooling towel + optional stroller fan — MISSION cooling towel and a clip-on stroller fan
- Quick-dry clothes / change of clothes — spills and splash pads
- Broken-in walking shoes — kids walking sneakers; 15k–20k steps is normal
Dress using layers, check using the neck
Morning lines can feel cool; afternoons spike. Pack thin layers, not one bulky coat. Midday, do the neck check: warm & dry = good; sweaty = peel a layer; cool = add one.
Age tip for tickets + gear
Under 3 is free at most major parks; ages 3–9 need a child ticket. Our tool uses those same groups so gear matches how your toddler actually spends the day (stroller-heavy vs walking).