The unconventional playground item you need in your nappy bag

"We wondered why we all don’t already know this." 

Just like mums, our baby bags carry a lot. 

Nappies, wipes, toys… and the occasional spag bol stain.

But there’s one unconventional household item you likely already own that truly deserves a spot inside:

The shower squeegee. 

Let us explain.

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Bye bye wet bums!

It sounds a bit bonkers, but sometimes a little madness paves the way to pure genius.

The idea blew up after it appeared on the social media pages for Legacee Bags, a unisex baby bag brand, designed with dads in mind.

Founder Rachael Hudson told Kidspot she had no idea how much of a lightbulb moment it would become.

“We ultimately needed this hack as we live in Melbourne, where you can experience four seasons in one day,” she said. 

Let me paint the picture: 

It rained overnight, but now the sun’s out. 

The kids are bouncing off the walls, so you decide the park is the best place to burn off some energy.

You get them there, only to find the equipment is wet.

Now you’ve got two options:

1. Load them back into the car to avoid discomfort (aka whinging) from soggy clothes. 
2. Whip out your trusty squeegee — because you packed it after reading this article.

Obviously, it’s option two, because once the kids see a park, there’s no turning back. 

While the video reached millions across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, Rachael was quick to give credit where it’s due.

“We actually saw a woman do it on a slide at a childcare centre and thought it was simply genius. We wondered why we all don’t already know this,” she explained.

“We knew we needed to spread the brilliant hack, and our video just went viral.”

Image: Instagram/legacee bags

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"Life made easier"

The comment section of the post was filled with parents whose minds were blown. 

“Such a good idea — better than the tea towel I carry around,” praised one parent.

“OMG, life made easier,” another gushed.

A third added: “That is such a simple idea. Yes, they can get wet, but it makes things so uncomfortable.”

Of course, there were some naysayers. 

“Or let kids get a little wet? Won’t hurt them,” one wrote. 

“Bro, don’t you know the sleeve trick — the one where you wet your entire jacket arm trying to get the water off slides?” joked another.

Rachael, however, is happy to leave the old-school methods behind.

“Ultimately, the consensus was that this hack was genius and will be used by childcare workers, school teachers, and many parents from now on,” she said.

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Her own family was tired of carrying home wet towels and dealing with the extra washing.

“You don’t always know what the liquid is and might not want to use your towel on it,” she added.

Overall, Rachael is thrilled to leave puddle-covered slides in the past.

“We can happily say no more wet towels or wet butts, plus more room in the nappy bag for something else,” she said.

Who knew the humble shower squeegee could save the day… and our washing piles? 

Originally published as The unconventional playground item you need in your nappy bag