How We’re Surviving Summer With Triplets (and a Toddler)
There’s something about summer with little kids that feels magical…and completely chaotic at the same time. Add triplets plus a big sister into the mix, and suddenly even stepping outside feels like a full production.
But after a lot of trial and error, I’ve realized something important: summer survival isn’t about doing everything. It’s about finding simple things that keep everyone happy for at least 20 minutes while you drink iced coffee (or chai - my fave) before it melts.
Here’s what’s helping us survive summer with triplets this year.
The Backyard Is Basically Our Summer Vacation
I used to think we needed elaborate plans every day to make summer “special.” Turns out? The kids are happiest with water, sacks and freedom to roam.
The water table = MVP
Our water table has become the center of our universe.
The Triplets could spend all morning splashing cups, pouring water everywhere except where it’s supposed to go, fighting over the same toy and somehow soaking themselves head to toe in under three minutes.
And honestly? It’s worth it.
A water table is one of the few activities where:
All three babies can play at once
They burn energy
They say cool
I can sit nearby for a second and breathe
Pro tip: throw in random kitchen items. Sponges, measuring cups, spoons, even a turkey baster! Suddenly it’s “sensory play" instead of chaos.
Well...less chaos
Blow Up Pool = Instant Happiness
While the triplets dominate the water table, our toddler gets her own little setup: a blow up pool.
Nothing fancy! Just one that can have enough water to splash, toss toys around, and pretend she’s at a luxury resort asking for snacks every four minutes.
Something I overthink activities for her because she’s older, but I’ve learned she mostly wants:
Attention
Independence
Popsicles
And to feel like she has her own special thing
The blow up pool has been perfect for that.
Bonus: everyone naps better after backyard water play
We’re Attempting the Beach this Summer
Keyword: attempting
Taking triplets plus a toddler to the beach honestly sounds like an Olympic event, but we’re doing it anyway because I refuse to let having multiples stop us from making memories.
Will it be relaxing? Absolutely not.
Will someone cry because sand touched their foot wrong? Definitely and it will probably be Crew.
But I know years from now I won’t remember the stress of packing five million snacks. I’ll remember sandy baby feed, sunscreen-covered cheeks, and my daughter running toward the waves like it’s the best day of her life.
Current beach survival plans:
Arrive EARLY
Keep expectation low
Bring way too many snacks
Accept that someone will need a full outfit change immediately
Leave before everyone completely melts down
That last one is key.
Sometimes surviving summer is just keeping everyone fed and making one memory at a time.
The Zoo: Controlled Chaos
The zoo feels like one of the few outings where everyone is genuinely enjoys themselves.
The toddler gets excited about every animal like it’s a celebrity sighting, while the triplets are happy just people-watching from the stroller with snacks in hand.
The best part about zoo days is there’s zero pressure to “do it all.”
Sometimes we only see half the zoo before someone needs a bottle, a diaper change, or emergency pretzel. And that’s okay.
Summer with small kids has taught me that successful outings aren’t about perfection - they’re about getting out the door at all.
Aquarium Days Are A Hidden Gem
If you have babies or toddler, aquariums are elite summer parenting.
Dark rooms.
Air conditioning.
Mesmerizing fish.
Contained walking areas
It’s basically a sensory dream for overstimulated moms and kids alike.
The triplets love staring at the glowing tanks, and my toddler acts like she personally discovered every fish in the building.
Also: aquarium days are perfect for those brutally hot summer afternoons when nobody can survive outside anymore.
What Summer Actually Looks Like Right Now
If I’m honest, most days don’t look Pinterest-perfect.
They look like:
Wet diapers pilled near the back door
Towels everywhere
Sunscreen in everyone’s eyes
One baby eating sand
Another refusing naps (Archer)
My toddler asking for a snack while already holding a snack
But they also look like:
Belly laughs at the water table
Tiny swimsuits hanging to dry
Sticky popsicle smiles
Sleepy babies after long summer days
Memories I know I’ll miss someday.
And honestly? That feels like enough to me.
To the Moms in the Thick of It
If you’re surviving summer with babies, toddlers, twins, triplets, or just tiny humans in general - you’re doing better than you think.
You don’t need extraveg
spell check
ant plans.
You don’t need perfect outings.
You don’t need aesthtic matching towels.
Sometimes surviving summer is just keeping everyone fed resonably cool, and making one good memory at a time.
And that counts.
