Printable Grocery Shopping List for Kids

I go back and forth on the whole "taking kids grocery shopping" issue.  On one hand, it's an awesome, hands-on educational experience.  On the other hand, it's pure torture.  In our last town, grocery shopping was my mommy time.  I'd bring with my ipod and a coffee and leisurely meander through the store.  Here it seems like I'm not able to sneak in as much mommy time, so I usually have a kid or all three with (yes, three...Jeremy is just as bad at sneaking treats into the cart as the small children are).  :-)

So I decided it was finally time to make a picture shopping list for the kids.  I've been meaning to do it for awhile, and today was the day.  I put pictures of things we typically get on most shopping trips on the list...the basics: milk, eggs, bread, etc.  There is a little check box for me to mark if we need the item that time, a picture of the item and then the name of the item.  Even though Micah can't read yet, we try to put labels on EVERYTHING.  It's a simple way to promote literacy development and build connections between words and objects.

I laminated the list and put it on a clipboard.  I explained to Micah that as we shopped, he was in charge of making sure we got the items on his list and wiping the X off when we put it in the cart.  That kid has never been so excited to go shopping before!  He excitedly told daddy "I get to be the boss of these things and make sure we buy them!!!  I'm in charge!"

He took his role VERY seriously.  And it kept him so focused that he didn't once ask for anything off of the list or whine that it was taking too long.  It was actually enjoyable to go shopping with him!  We even got several comments from other shoppers that he was being a great helper and that they wish they had a personal shopping assistant too.  He was sooooo proud!

Checking to see if we need it

Yep!  Erasing it off his list.

Here's a pdf copy of the list.  If you want me to email you the Word copy, just send me a message with your email address.  That way you can switch out the items that you want on it, but have a starting place.

Kids' Printable Grocery List