What’s in your backpack?
Did you know your brain is the greatest backpack you’ll ever own? It’s completely infinite inside. You'll never run out of room for new skills, stories, and mental tools to solve everyday problems.
Mousey loves these reminders to take only what we need in the backpack he carries with him on his back. If we take care of our tiny tools, we can do great work in our world!
Mousey keeps these items in his backpack all the time. The other tiny tools he carries might change depending on the kinds of problems he plans to solve that day.
Do you have any of these same things in your backpack?
A notebook & something to write with
A good backpacker is rarely without something to write on and write with. You can also use it to draw ideas that you don’t have words for, write down a friend’s contact information, or leave a note for someone you care about.
Backpacker tip: If you don’t have your own yet, try out one of Mousey’s notebooks. They’re free to download and print, or you can copy the ideas on your own paper if you don’t have a printer handy right now.
A small flashlight
It’s always nice to have a light handy in the darkness.
Backpacker tip: If you’re ever not sure what’s under your bed, you can use a little light to find that missing shoe before you go to sleep…
A spoon and a snack
Adventurers need a good snack on hand, and occasionally a spoon to eat it! Chopsticks are also very handy and get easier to use with practice.
Backpacker tip: A lightweight plastic spoon does the exact same job as heavy kitchen silverware. Just make sure to ask an adult before raiding the kitchen drawers!
A basic first-aid kit
If you’re going on adventures, you might need a small sticky bandage or some ointment. A tube of chapstick helps soothe hurt places too.
Mousey found a pocket first-aid kit shaped like a small backpack for his very own, but you can probably find what you need and make your own kit!
Backpacker tip: Using a plastic bag to hold it together helps keep your kit dry if you’re running in the rain.
What’s in my backpack?
These are the tiny tools I carry with me almost every single day. By organizing them into simple "kits," I'm always ready for a new adventure without overloading my bag!
The Tech Kit: A tablet with a keyboard (which I use to build this website!) and a few USB drives to back up my work when I'm on the go.
The Creative Kit: For writing, drawing, and painting the things I see and feel as I move through the world. It holds plenty of paper and a free highway map of my home state, North Carolina. Backpacker Tip: Never underestimate the power of a napkin drawing!
The Clean-Up Kit: Perfect for refreshing myself after a long day outside. It holds wet wipes, a brush, a clean change of clothes, and a tiny rain jacket for my young son.
Snacks!: Being a mom means always being prepared. I carry sweet pick-me-ups for my son—and honestly, a few treats for myself, too!
The Fresh Kit: A good lip balm, mints, and a sip of water. It’s an instant reset button that helps me feel ready to chat with someone new.
The Power Kit: A small portable charger and cords to keep my phone and tablet running.
The Purse Kit: My secret weapon! This is just a tiny backpack disguised as a purse for places where big bags aren't a great fit, like restaurants. Inside, I keep a bit of cash, tissues, and a trusty pocket knife (one of the perks of being a grown-up backpacker).
The On-the-Go Kit: A reliable pair of walking shoes and a handy water bottle filled with water, lemonade, or tea depending on the day's vibe.
Backpacker’s tip: o one can call you a “pack rat” if you keep your collections organized in “kits!”
One thing we all work on every day is carrying less and optimizing our tools to be more efficient. No one wants extra baggage or to lug around something heavy that isn’t useful.
Happy backpacking!
Hope you can find a way to make it an interesting day