Outside Supplies Station?

[preschoolteacher]

How do you set up the things you need outside? Specifically I'm wondering how to have drinking water, hand washing stuff, and garbage accessible to the kids but safe. Any suggestions?

And I gotta say my life is SO MUCH better now that we aren't cooped up for 11 hour days anymore!!

[bklsmum]

I have a 4 shelf greenhouse that I keep on the porch and I keep all of our outside stuff on that. It zips closed and is VERY convenient. As far as garbage goes I have a trash can on wheels that stays in the backyard and gets emptied on trash day.

http://cds.a9t2h4q7.hwcdn.net/main/store/20090519001/items/media/Hardware/SHOWT002/ProductLarge/GH-004.jpg

As far as garbage goes I have a trash can on wheels with a good lifting lid that stays in the backyard and gets emptied on trash day.

[spinnymarie]

This is a great question.
So far, we only stay out for about an hour/hour and a half at a time because that's the longest anyone can go without using the bathroom anyway.
We wash hands when we get inside and I haven't brought drinks thus far either.
I'm interested to hear what everyone else does! And how do you handle using the bathroom?
And i totally agree, getting outside makes my days SOOOO much more pleasant.

[debbiedoeszip]

For water I might get one of these:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/rectangular-water-container-10l-0854035p.html#.U0gUyFfLJsw

On hot days, I'd fill it twice a day (morning and after nap) with water and ice, and then keep it in a shady place with reusable cups close by.

[melskids]

In the nice weather, we are outside ALL day.

Drinking water is in reusable water bottles. We come in for a few minutes to do diaper changes as needed. They have to come in with me while I get meals together (and to wash hands), but as soon as I do, we take it outside to eat.

[snbauser]

My kids each have refillable cups with lids/straws that are always on the kitchen table. When we go outside I make sure they are full and take an extra pitcher of water and the kids take their cups outside. Handwashing happens when we come back inside. Bathrooms aren't an issue because the bathroom is directly across from my backdoor - like literally less than 10 feet. so I can stand in the doorway between the outside and inside and see the one who is using the bathroom and the ones outside. But I also make sure they all go before we go out to minimize the number of trips inside.

[KSDC]

I have a 4 shelf greenhouse that I keep on the porch and I keep all of our outside stuff on that. It zips closed and is VERY convenient.

http://cds.a9t2h4q7.hwcdn.net/main/store/20090519001/items/media/Hardware/SHOWT002/ProductLarge/GH-004.jpg

.

How sturdy is this? I'd love to use this, but I am worried that my Kansas winds would demolish it quickly...

[Unregistered]

deck bin

I have two deck bins inside my playground fence. I keep outside waterplay toys, and push/pull toys, large waffle blocks, etc. in them, but also a box of tissue, a box of wipes, & a small garbage can. I keep one bin with the opening facing the fence, so that it's even less accessible to kids.
For water, I use a cooler with large sippy cups & a frozen cold pack inside. Each cup is different and the kids choose their own each spring. I also keep a bottle of water in it, in case someone runs out. The older kids keep their cups on the top fence rail (their idea) but I keep the little kids' cups and help them, so that their cups don't get dragged through the playground.

[Laurel]

How do you set up the things you need outside? Specifically I'm wondering how to have drinking water, hand washing stuff, and garbage accessible to the kids but safe. Any suggestions?

And I gotta say my life is SO MUCH better now that we aren't cooped up for 11 hour days anymore!!

I bring them inside and give them a drink every so often or if someone asks then we all go in. I only have 3 now but when I had 6 I announced it was time for a drink and to sit at our little picnic table. I have a sliding glass door so I could see them at all times. I had a small table just inside the door with a pitcher of water and cups and various other things like tissues. We just come inside to wash hands and eat lunch or sometimes eat outside and go back out. I have a kitchen type swinging lid plastic can outside for garbage but it isn't for really stinky stuff. Just paper items and miscellaneous.

[Blackcat31]

I have an outdoor drinking fountain so we don't have to worry about drinks.



I also have an outdoor garbage bin that stays outdoors.



The only thing besides the kids that I bring outside with us is the wet wipes and my phone.

[mema]

All kiddos have their own water bottle. We fill it in the morning and again in the afternoon. If they need in between, we usually just run in and fill. I have a garabage outside in the garage (which is usually open). I have a few plastic bags in my diaper bag for at the park. I only change outside if absolutely necessary. We typically go out from 9-11/11:15 and 3-5. Bathroom breaks usually before going out and when coming back in. I take out a diaper bag (with 1 dipe for each kid, extra sunscreen, wipes, a small first aid kit, kleenex, couple plastic bags, emergency phone list). Everything else is already out.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have an outdoor drinking fountain so we don't have to worry about drinks.



I also have an outdoor garbage bin that stays outdoors.



The only thing besides the kids that I bring outside with us is the wet wipes and my phone.

That is awesome! Love the fountain!

[Heidi]

I have an outdoor drinking fountain so we don't have to worry about drinks.



I also have an outdoor garbage bin that stays outdoors.



The only thing besides the kids that I bring outside with us is the wet wipes and my phone.

I am looking all over for an outdoor sink that's reasonably priced and not too ugly. We eat on my front porch, so I'd like to put it there (covered porch with decking underneath). Where did you get that one?

[Jack Sprat]

How sturdy is this? I'd love to use this, but I am worried that my Kansas winds would demolish it quickly...

We had one. I think we may still have it. I am in Kansas and it held up very well. It was even blown across our deck and survived. If I was to use for supplies (love the idea) I would secure it down somehow.

[preschoolteacher]

So many great ideas ! Thanks !