Grandkids haven’t changed much, but their stuff sure has.
If you’re taking little ones on an outing — let’s say to a zoo or one of NEO’s many festivals, you soon realize that it’s all about the food and drinks. Pity the hapless grandparent who doesn’t keep a grandkid properly hydrated and stuffed with snacks.
If you’re new to the grandparent-taking-kids-out scene, you’re in for a surprise. Back in the ’80s and ’90s, we had water-fountain-drinking, eat-at-home kids. Now it all comes with you on the outing.
Goldfish crackers, water bottles, juice boxes, bags of grapes, apple slices, Cheerios. Stroller outings are like being on a cruise ship with decidedly worse food and drinks.
Daredevils among us may skip the larder-to-go and hunt and gather at whatever festival or event we attend. Here are some helpful hints from grandparents who have been there, done that, and survived without dehydrating or starving their grandkids.
Be allergy-aware. This is a big deal, potentially life-threatening, and can bounce you off the grandparent circuit if you mess up. Know what the grandkid can and can’t eat. Listen to the parents.
Most festival and snack bar-food get low marks for nutrition. After all, festivals are the only place where deep fried cheesecake slices seem like reasonable dessert choices. To make your way through the junk food minefield, try fruit cups and broiled chicken sandwiches, soft pretzels, that sort of thing.
Portability is key. Dining space usually is limited. Look for foods in cups that little ones can hold themselves, watch for hot stuff, limit condiments and be open to not-quite healthy fare that scores high on convenience. There’s a reason fried dough elephant ears are popular.
Kids remember experiences, not food — at most it’s a 50/50 split. Any outing that doesn’t end in an emergency room is a success. If the grandkids fall asleep on the way home, that, dear grandparent, is a win.
Marie Elium has never dehydrated or starved a child despite years of forgotten water bottles and snack bags.
