Mom shares wet playground hack that’s a game-changer for rainy play

Kids don’t care if it’s pouring rain or chilly outside—they’re still going to want to go to the park, and they might even flat out demand it. On clear but cold days you can at least bundle them up, but when there’s rain…UGH! Rainsuits and boots can help, but if you have a kid who refuses to wear waterproof clothing, chances are they’re going to come home soaked from the wet play structures. Many parents pack a towel to dry off surfaces, but what happens when that gets soaked? (Where do you store a sopping wet towel? And let’s not even get started on what happens if you accidentally leave it in the car or stroller. Hello, mildew!)

Gayle Chapman (who goes by @gaylegchapman on Instagram) has been documenting her adventures as a first-time mom in England, and she came up with a brilliant (and incredibly simple) park hack that will make winter outings much more enjoyable (and dry) for the whole family. Pack a shower squeegee! 

She keeps hers in the stroller to ensure it’s always on hand, and when she arrives at the park she wipes down all the wet surfaces before letting her kiddo play. Talk about a game-changer!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gayle Chapman (@gaylegchapman)

“This playground hack is an absolute game changer, especially in winter when you head to the playground and there’s still some rain,” Chapman captioned her viral reel. “You can pick up one of these cheaply and it will change your life. I’ve had this stored in the back of my head since I saw a lady do it ages ago (thank you to that woman!) so as soon as the bad weather came I got a squeegee! Gets a few funny looks but anything that saves me time makes me happy.”

“Also great for morning dew in the summer,” she noted. “Tell the others!”

Seriously, what parent doesn’t love a good hack? Instagram is a treasure trove for crafty, creative shortcuts and tools to make our lives easier, and sometimes you’ll be surprised at what you can find. Need a DIY spray to keep spiders out of your home? Here you go. Want to reuse plastic parmesan lids? They double as a straw lid for mason jars. Tired of wasting food in your fridge? Reorganize it in a more efficient way. The list goes on and on.

A version of this story was originally published on Dec. 2, 2023. It has been updated.