Grocery Shopping with Kids

Giving Time - Teaching Skills for Life

Do you find grocery shopping with kids stressful?

• I used to hate it, the kids were bored and got into trouble because they were bored.
• Most kids dislike grocery shopping.
• It can be boring noisy and busy.
• If your child is autistic as our younger daughter, or with another disability, they may struggle more.
• It is something about the environment of a big supermarket that triggers kids into unreasonable behaviour.
• You will find that giving the kids something to do while you are shopping will help a lot.
• We found stickers for good behaviour helps.
• Go grocery shopping when it is not busy

You may find it helpful to try out some of the following ideas when grocery shopping with kids

• Have a plan in case you get separated, this has happened a couple of times with us.
• It is scary for us parents but even more so for young kids.
• We come up with a plan such as meet by the meat counter, or speak to a shop worker(point out what they wear beforehand)

• Give the kids clear rules such as "stay by me" and "no sweets".
• Be clear what will happen if your child does not behave.
• Always do what you have said because your kids need to know your yes is yes and your no is no.
• If you have said "you can have sweets if well behaved", don't give them if your child has misbehaved.
• if your child has a temper tantrum or meltdown then take them to the restroom or outside to calm down.
• Don't worry what other people think. remain calm and in control.
• If your child calms down try again. If not give up the shopping trip.

• Give more responsibility as kids are able.
• An idea our kids have loved to do is they plan a meal and make it for us.
• The kids come up with a menu by looking through cookery books.
• They make a list of ingredients and check whether they need to buy these.
• Take the list to the grocery store with you.
• The kids are in charge of making sure they get the ingredients on their list.
• This keeps them focussed.

• Get the kids involved from the start. Show them how to check whether items need to be bought
• Have them check out your store cupboards and the fridge.
• It is easiest to start this by telling them they need to check for yoghurts for instance.
• Ask them to check how many you have.
• With the kids work out how many yoghurts you will need for a week.
• Start simple "if you eat a yoghurt a day for a week how many yoghurts do we need.
• If you need yoghurts get kids to write it on a list.
• Do the same with other grocery shopping you need.
• If your kids are young it will take a while.
• Be patient and let them do it.
• It is good for writing skills and for math skills.
• If your child cannot read or write or finds it difficult use pictures.
• We used pecs(picture exchange communication system) for a time.
• You can find some grocery pecs at www.grocerypecs.com

• Have your child count items into bags for example "put five oranges in the bag"
• Find six of the best apples.
• Can you find a square shape.
• Show me the green apples.
• Find a cylinder shape.
• what is inside this tin.
• What could we use this for ie. flour could be used for cakes, pancakes, biscuits etc.
• Get me two tins of.....
• Which bread do we have?
• How much is the bread?

• How much is the....?
• If the bread is on sale at .... how much money will we save?
• Oranges contain vitamin C what do our bodies need it for?
• Work out how much the bread, carrots and potatoes will cost.
• If this item costs ...how much change will I have if I pay with...?
• Find a cylinder shape.
• Find a cuboid shape
• Can you find a pyramid shape?
• Talk about the ingredients that processed foods contain.

• Teach kids about time management, set your watch for 30mins or 45mins and they can watch the time go.
• Let them be responsible for a list of shopping that they must get.
• Show them how to pay at the checkout.
• Let them carry their bag of groceries to the car and then be responsible for putting it away at home.
• Teach your kids about money.

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