If you've spent a summer afternoon in Florida, you know the pattern. A sunny morning, a few clouds by lunch, and then a sudden, heavy downpour with thunder. Often it's over in an hour. Sometimes it isn't.
With a toddler, a surprise storm can go from inconvenient to miserable fast. A small kit and a little planning make it a non-event.
First: lightning is the real issue
Rain is uncomfortable. Lightning is dangerous. The National Weather Service's simple rule is "When thunder roars, go indoors." If you can hear thunder, you're close enough to be at risk.
- At the beach or pool, get out of the water and off the sand, and go to a building or a hard-topped car.
- At a theme park, outdoor rides and attractions often pause for lightning. Head to an indoor show, restaurant or shop.
- An open-sided shelter, a beach umbrella or a tree isn't safe shelter from lightning.
Check the forecast in the morning. A weather app with lightning alerts is worth having on your phone.
Plan the day around the pattern
During the summer rainy season, a common plan is:
- Outdoor time and water play in the morning
- Indoor shows, lunch or a nap break in the early afternoon
- Back outside in the late afternoon or evening, once storms pass
This happens to line up nicely with toddler naps. See >Toddler naps at theme parks.
The storm kit
Everything here fits in one small pouch or a corner of the stroller basket.
Ponchos for everyone
Lightweight ponchos Lingito Rain Ponchos Family Pack (6 adult + 6 child), reusable hooded ponchos Check price at Amazon are cheaper bought ahead of time than at the park. Kid-size ponchos Kids rain poncho fit better than cutting down an adult one.
A stroller rain cover
A clear rain cover that fits your stroller bemece Universal Stroller Rain Cover, clear EVA weather shield Check price at Amazon keeps your toddler and the seat dry. Look for one with ventilation, and take it off as soon as the rain stops. A closed plastic cover in Florida heat can get hot inside very quickly, so watch your toddler closely while it's on.
A wet bag or dry bag
A waterproof pouch Bumkins Waterproof Wet/Dry Bag (Watercolor Floral) Check price at Amazon keeps phones, park tickets, wallets and diapers dry. A waterproof phone pouch with a lanyard Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch, IPX8, black & green 2-pack Check price at Amazon lets you still use your phone in the rain.
Quick-dry layers
A thin, quick-dry long-sleeve shirt helps after the storm, when you walk into an air-conditioned building soaking wet. Toddlers chill faster than adults.
Spare socks
Wet socks and wet shoes are the fastest way to a meltdown. One spare pair per kid in a zip bag. Better yet, wear water shoes or sandals on likely rain days VIFUUR Kids Water Shoes, hook-and-loop, quick-dry aqua socks (Black Circle, toddler sizes) Check price at Amazon.
A small microfiber towel
A compact microfiber towel Dock & Bay Beach Towel, quick-dry sand-free microfiber (Cabana) Check price at Amazon dries the stroller seat, little hands and benches.
Where to wait it out
At a theme park: indoor shows, restaurants, shops and covered queues for indoor rides. Have one or two indoor options in mind before you go, so you're not deciding in the middle of a downpour.
At the beach: your car, a beachside restaurant or a public building. Keep the walk to the car in mind when you choose a spot on the sand.
Keeping a toddler calm in a storm
Loud thunder can scare little ones. A few things that help:
- Stay calm yourself. Toddlers read your face.
- Name it: "That's thunder. It's loud, and we're safe inside."
- Make it a game: count between the flash and the boom together.
- Bring out a favorite snack or a story while you wait.
- Headphones with a familiar song or story can soften the noise. See >Car ride and line entertainment.
After the storm
Florida storms are part of the deal. A small kit and a flexible plan mean you'll hardly notice them.