The information in this artice is brought to use by befree’s adaptive zipOns

I don’t know about your family but for my family Sports seasons has a funny way of making their way through a family. Charlie used to play Soccer when he was little and Suzzane played softball and soccer.

My nephew David M. played football and baseball and now my nephew Jason David’ M.’s son is playing football, while my niece has played softball and then moved on to basketball.

Watching them reminds me of when Charlie was growing up and tried his hand at basketball, wrestling, and soccer as well as back to high-school when David play Soccer.

And then there was Suzanne. She did play softball for a while, but she eventually decided it just wasn’t for her. She was a true girly girl, and I have to laugh when I think about it now.

Even though sports weren’t really her thing, there were still times when she had a sports bag packed and ready to go. Which got me thinking: what actually belongs in a child’s sports bag?

Football, volleyball, tennis, cross country and more are back in full swing, and for sports parents, that can mean one thing: the youth sports bag is about to get messy, sweaty and smelly.

With a little planning, though, parents can keep those bags stocked with the things kids actually need while making game days, practices and tournaments a little easier.

Kids need fuel when they’re active, so having a few easy snacks and drinks packed can make a big difference. Water should always be part of the plan. Depending on the activity, weather and length of practice or competition, parents may also want to consider a sports drink with electrolytes.

Easy snacks such as fruit or granola bars can also be helpful before, during or after activities. The goal isn’t to turn the sports bag into a grocery store. It’s simply to have a few convenient choices available when a hungry athlete needs them.

Kids grow. Sometimes it seems like they grow out of something overnight. That makes checking uniforms and sports gear especially important. Clothing, shoes and other equipment should fit properly. Ill-fitting gear can make it harder for a child to participate comfortably and may contribute to problems or injuries.

And don’t assume that because something fit last month, it still fits today. It’s a good idea to check regularly, even if your child hasn’t used the item recently. A quick monthly check can save you from discovering five minutes before practice that those pants suddenly look like Capri.

Texas weather alone has taught me that you can leave the house in one temperature and end up dealing with something completely different a few hours later. Kids can be particular about being hot or cold, too.

Having a sweatshirt or lightweight jacket and a pair of pants available can help. Even better are pants that can be put on or taken off without requiring a child to remove their shoes or cleats.

That’s one reason befree’s adaptive zipOns caught my attention. Their design allows pants to zip on and off without requiring the wearer to take off shoes, which can be especially useful for children with limited mobility or anyone who has difficulty changing clothing in a traditional way. It’s a simple idea that can make getting ready for changing conditions much easier.

Some of the things that end up being most important in a sports bag aren’t necessarily the sports equipment. Depending on your child and the activity, you may want to keep extras such as:

• Hair ties or other hair accessories
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• A small first-aid kit
• Extra clothing
• Water and snacks

Every child is different, so what goes into the bag will depend on the sport, age of the child and how long they’ll be away from home. But having those little necessities available can prevent a minor inconvenience from turning into a bigger problem.

One thing I wanted to remind parents is to keep the Sports Bag clean because let’s be honest: youth sports bags can get gross. Sweaty clothes, muddy shoes, old food and half-empty drink bottles have a way of disappearing into the bottom of a bag until someone finally notices the smell.

A weekly clean-out can help: Empty the bag completely and wash it if the material allows. Remove old food and drinks before they have a chance to become a science experiment.

Give everything a chance to air out, and consider using an air freshener or even a dryer sheet to help with lingering odors. It only takes a few minutes, but it can make opening that sports bag a much more pleasant experience.

When I think about all the sports bags that have come through our family over the years, I realize they hold more than just uniforms, snacks and equipment. They hold memories.

There was Charlie trying basketball, wrestling and soccer. There was Suzanne giving softball a try before deciding that being a true girly girl was much more her style. And now there are my niece and nephew making their own memories with softball, basketball and football.

The contents of a sports bag may change as children grow, but the goal remains the same: make sure they have what they need to participate, stay comfortable and enjoy the experience. And sometimes, something as simple as having the right pair of pants available can make a difference.

About befree

befree is dedicated to improving the lives of people with limited mobility through adaptive and inclusive fashion. For millions of people living with temporary or permanent disabilities, getting dressed can present challenges that many of us don’t think about until we experience them.

befree creates clothing designed with those needs in mind, including adaptive options such as zipOns that make changing easier. For families involved in youth sports, adaptive clothing can be another useful tool to consider when putting together a sports wardrobe that works for each individual child.

Glenda David Charlie Suzanne

Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.

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