Indiana State Fair: What's In My Fair Bag?
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The Indiana State Fair is calling, and so are the corndogs, the rides, and about a hundred “Can we get this?” asks from our kids. Part of going to the fair is making sure you’ve brought all the essentials for the day (because no one wants to have to go back and forth to the car a million times). The right fair bag items can be the difference between a meltdown and a mom win.
To help you prepare, we asked three CityMoms at three different stages of motherhood to share the “behind-the-scenes” of what’s in their Fair bags this year. Get a glimpse inside a diaper bag all the way to teen-approved goodies.
Fair Bag Essentials for Mom of Teens
From CityMom Jeanine
It’s finally here! Gone are the days of lugging around a backpack or diaper bag now that my kids are teens. Their “essentials” are pretty much nonexistent, so I’ve kept things light for this year’s trip to the Indiana State Fair.
Here’s what’s in my Indiana State Fair bag:
Sunscreen (because, well, always).
A flat hair clip to keep my hair up on those humid fair days.
Phone charger, a literal essential.
A portable fan I can clip onto my shirt. It’s perfect for those moments we’re not in the cool DNR building (PS this is our secret favorite bathroom stop onsite bc it’s hardly ever crowded!)
A quick snack for when the kids and I need a little fuel.
Tower 84 spray, which is a lifesaver for cooling off my face and neck on the go.
And my clear belt bag. It makes finding everything a breeze!
It’s the perfect combination of practical and minimal, and leaves me free to actually enjoy the Fair.
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Fair Bag Must-Haves for School-Age Moms
From CityMom Sarah
As a mom of three school-age boys, my Indiana State Fair game plan revolves around two things: Letting them get as messy (and wet) as possible, and having a plan for when they do.
Here's what I never leave home without:
A dual-purpose cooler bag is my favorite Fair hack! I bring a bag that doubles as a cooler. It’s perfect for keeping snacks fresh and drinks cold. Bonus: the Fair is super family-friendly, and the 9” x 10” x 12” bag rule doesn't apply to diaper or snack bags.
Bring two pairs of shoes: comfortable tennis shoes for walking, and a pair of Oofos or other recovery shoes for the ride home (game changer).
Foldable reusable bags just trust me on this one. Your kids will find something they want to carry home.
Lightweight beach towels - think skinny and packable. It’s August in Indiana, so they’ll either be sweaty or dumping water on their heads.
Cooler with snacks and chilly towels. Staying cool and fed is key. I keep it stocked with water, prepped snacks, and those awesome cooling towels for quick refreshes.
These sunglasses - functional and fashionable, because Midwest sun in August is no joke. (Or if you prefer a more bougie version, you can’t beat these Tom Ford’s)
Mosquito repellent - especially if you’re heading there in the evening. (If you don’t want to bring a bottle, they come in wipe-form too!)
Large zipper pouch with a change of clothes. Bonus points if it doubles as a wet bag.
Hand sanitizer and wipes because no one enjoys sticky fingers — ever.
What’s In My Fair Bag: Toddler Edition
From CityMom Britny
With a two-year-old and four-year-old, I’m still rocking the diaper bag this year at the Fair. I have a diaper caddie in the car with extra diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes.
Here's what I’m bringing into the Fair in our diaper bag:
Ruvalino diaper bag. We’ve had this from the get-go. I love that it comes with a changing pad and has lots of upgrades that just make sense, like a wipe holder on the side, an insulated pocket for bottles, etc.
Diapers and wipes. We love the Huggies scent-free wipes.
Mabel’s Labels for our water bottles, inside our diaper bag, and inside the kids’ shoes. Basically, for anything we might accidentally leave behind.
Banana Boat Kid’s Sport sunscreen. We prefer the roll-on one, but they have sticks and sprays as well.
Hand sanitizer that’s perfect for on the go. Seriously, we have these in every car, school backpack, and diaper bag.
First-aid kit like this one or this cheaper option that you can use your HSA account to pay for.
Chapstick because I never leave the house without it.
Quick change of shoes for the drive home or after my tennis shoes are soaked, like the ones from United State of Indiana.
Looking for more links to get your fair bag essentials? Shop our fair bag prep collection here.
MORE INFO: The Indiana State Fair takes place August 1–17, 2025 (closed Mondays) at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. General admission is $14; kids 5 and under enter free. Advance discount tickets are available online. For tickets, parking, hours, and schedules, visit indianastatefair.com.
