The 10 Best Shopping Cart Covers
Special Honors
Modern Beautiful Nautical This versatile polyester cover can be used on a shopping cart, a car seat, or a high chair. You can also use it as a privacy wrap when nursing. It’s made of a lightweight fabric that’s both durable and stretchy, and measures 29 by 27 inches. It features a handsome anchor design and can be personalized with your child’s first name in your choice of 42 colors. It’s also available in patterns covered with flowers, elephants, shamrocks, tractors, and more. modernbeautiful.com
Editor's Notes
June 03, 2020:
Anyone who has taken a baby to a grocery store has likely felt nervous about putting their precious cargo into the seat of a shopping cart, since studies show so many germs tend to live there. You’ll eliminate much of your worry with one of these handy shopping cart covers. It’ll provide a barrier between germs and your child, and also provide a little bit of comfortable padding. In today’s update, we added in the recently upgraded Busy Bambino 2-in-1, which boasts durable stitching and fabric, and which rolls up easily into a stylish pouch that can be carried by the handle or fit into your diaper bag. It has a vibrant blue color and is covered with fun animals like elephant, moose, birds, and more. You can buy it with confidence, thanks to its money-back satisfaction guarantee. Another standout choice is the Summer Infant Cushy, the number one pick on our list, which boasts a contemporary print that features soft colors and is easy on the eyes. It incorporates a removable seat positioner to help keep your child in place.
For a model with heavily cushioned sides, look to the Leachco Prop 'R Shopper, which features handy storage pockets on the back and is sold in a fun forest print or either gray or green with white polka dots. If you prefer neutral solid colors, check out the Brica Go Shop, which is gray with black trim and is designed to fit on standard-sized carts as well as larger warehouse store ones. If you like color-coordinated sets, the Skip Hop On-The-Go might be right for you, as a matching diaper bag is sold separately. It boasts a stylish geometric print made up of connecting triangles, and incorporates handy loops for attaching toys or teethers.
For safety’s sake, babies should be able to sit upright while unassisted in order to be placed in the seat of a shopping cart. In addition, never leave a child unattended in a shopping cart, even for a moment, as falling is a risk.
Why You Need A Shopping Cart Cover
These soft covers go over the little bars that can pinch a child's fingers.
Being a parent means fending off harm and being two steps ahead of your little ones all day long. Whether you sty at home while your partner works or you two are sharing the responsibilities equally, your mind is never off your munchkins. This is especially true when you're bold enough to venture out into the world — like to the grocery store — with them in tow. However, if you're determined to make healthier meals at home, and don't have a sitter to watch your son or daughter when you shop, you have no choice but to bring the kiddo along. Putting him in a shopping cart might be a good way to contain your curious cutie, but there are a few issues with that clunky, metal item, that a good cover can address.
Shopping carts are covered in germs. A cover isolates your child from the nasty things. These covers also keep your kid's tiny digits safely inside of the cart. You don't want your youngster reaching through the sidebars to grab something enticing, only to knock a pyramid of products over or, worse, hurt himself. These soft covers go over the little bars that can pinch a child's fingers. Another benefit of that aspect is that your kiddo's toys won't fall through the cracks. Every parent knows what sort of high-pitched tantrum can arise when a child realizes his precious Pixar figuring dropped through the shopping cart and is long gone.
Even if you don't remember to pack your kid's toys for the store, that's okay, because many shopping cart covers have ones built-in. You'll find teething items, mirrors, rattles, and other helpful trinkets to distract and entertain your darling while you get your shopping done. Shopping cart covers are much more comfortable than the hard metal or plastic they envelop, too, providing a nice, cushioned place for your little shopping companion. This padding also offers a safety boost. In the event of a cart-on-cart collision, the cover will soften the blow on your young rider.
Other Tips For Shopping With A Baby
Interacting with your baby or toddler, from chatting with her to bringing her along on errands, is great for her development. You're doing her a favor by letting her tag along to the store, and even explaining to her what you're doing, as you're doing it. This outing does, however, pose some challenges, so here are some tips on taking your children to the market. First, choose a parking spot wisely. It's best to put your car near the stacks of shopping carts outside, so you don't need to abandon your baby in the car while you run across the parking lot to grab a cart. You should also choose your cart with care. Most stores have a few different sizes and styles. Get a big one, with plenty of room for your cutie to get comfortable.
Next, know that you can actually make grocery shopping quite fun for kids if you give them a task.
Make sure to go in the early hours, before the store gets too crowded. This is less stressful on both you and your child. You won't worry about bothering too many people if your youngster starts acting up, and your child won't feel overwhelmed by hoards of strangers. Next, know that you can actually make grocery shopping quite fun for kids if you give them a task. Consider printing out a list with photos of the items you're picking up, and asking your children to point these out as they spot them. This will keep them occupied, and help them learn words. As your cutie points at the yellow fruit corresponding with the banana in her photo, you can teach her the word banana.
Another very important tip is to never shop with hungry children. Shopping on an empty tummy isn't even a good idea for adults, and has been shown to cause you to buy more stuff. You can imagine how it will drive youngsters to throw screaming tantrums. Give your baby or toddler a snack before heading into the shop. Finally, if at all possible, bring your partner or an older child along. That way, one person can be in charge of watching after the little one, and the other person can take over the actual shopping. If you go prepared, then grocery shopping with a baby or young child in tow doesn't have to be a nightmare.
Features In A Cart Cover You'll Love
When it finally comes time to make your shopping trip, there are some features in a cart cover you'll appreciate. If you have a very young baby, or you plan on growing your brood, you'll want a cover with a seat positioner. These can support an infant who can't yet sit up, and can be adjusted to accommodate older babies. Some models feature storage for toys, snack cups, and more. As for your valuables, you can find covers with special pockets for smartphones.
You should also choose a cover that folds up compactly when not in use, and possibly even comes with its own storage pouch.
Messes can happen, especially when you're rolling your baby-occupied cart past free juice samples. Find a cart cover that's machine washable to make cleanup easier on you. Ask yourself how you'd like to attach your cover to your cart. Some have simple elastic bottoms that you stretch over a cart in one quick step. These are convenient for preoccupied parents who can't afford to take their eyes of their cutie for more than a moment. Meanwhile, some models feature buckles. These can conform to more types and sizes of carts and may feel more secure than the elastic designs.
Get double duty out of your cover by finding one that also fits over a high chair. With those, you can protect your baby against the germs and dangerous hinges of both shopping carts and those uncomfortable plastic high chairs offered by restaurants. Some even have seat belts to keep a squirmy child in place. Your cutie will appreciate a soft fabric and plenty of filling to create a pillow-like environment. You should also choose a cover that folds up compactly when not in use, and possibly even comes with its own storage pouch.