If I’m being honest, I’m not really a road trip person. I would much rather hop on a plane and arrive at a different city that much quicker, but since having kids it’s not always that easy or cost effective.
Road trips can be hard and boy have we had some serious breakdowns, parents included! (I have literally told Brandon to pull over so I can walk into the woods and never return).
But they can also be adventurous and memorable!
I do love passing through towns and seeing how other people live. I love seeing different landscapes and how they can change so quickly. I love being part of an unplanned caravan. I love listening to my toddler tell us creative made up stories from the back seat to pass the time. There’s a lot to be appreciative of the open road even when it wouldn’t be your first pick.
“Roads were made for journeys, not destinations.” Confucius
So in the last few years I’ve adapted and learned a few things that help me keep my sanity (what is left) while I travel in a confined space for an extended amount of time with my whole family. Again, road trips are a love hate relationship for me!
I’ve collected my must have items in the list below to help any parent that is anxious about their upcoming travels.
These items have been life savers more than once, been packed/used/rebought and used again, and some became favorites for the little ones as well.
Keep this list handy for when you’re planning your next road trip adventure.
25 Road Trip Essentials for Kids
1. Books
We always keep a pile of books in the car whether it’s a road trip or not, but adding new ones is always a fun surprise for the kids. My youngest really likes the Pop It books that make sound when you poke to "bubbles."
2. Paper towels/napkins
“Clean up, clean up everybody, do your share!” If you’re a hoarder like me you can save up your fast food napkins and keep them in one place in the car or tuck a roll of paper towels under a seat. Kids are messy. Husbands are messy. You’ll need something to clean up with!
3. Water color pages
All kids love these and they are mostly mess free. You just need to add water to the “marker” for them to color.
4. Plastic shopping bag(s)
Use to clean up trash or in case someone gets sick. Many times we’ve had to put soiled kids' clothes in a bag as well.
5. Snacks
Healthy snacks are ideal–carrots, trail mix, crackers–but add a few new and fun items to keep it exciting. We love fruit snacks, granola bars and goldfish.
Tip: Divide your snacks into 2 bags: one for the drive there and another for the drive back. Having different snacks each way will help with any complaints about selection.
6. Snack containers
Try reusable snack containers to create less waste and can be easily refilled.
7. Cooler
Growing up we always had a cooler placed in the back seat that one of us could always reach. Fill it up with easy open drinks and refrigerated snacks. We like to have cheese sticks and cut up grapes on hand in the cooler.
8. Reusable water bottles
These are durable, spill free and easy to fill up at most rest stops. They can also be handy when you’ve reached your destination and don’t want to buy a water bottle every time.
9. Hand sanitizer
Do these come in Family Size options?! Between sketchy bathrooms, random playgrounds and sticky treats, you will need all the hand sanitizer you can get.
10. Tablet
We have the Amazon Fire tablet and love that it has a durable covering and can pre-download games, shows and books. Long car rides are usually the only time our little one gets to play with it so he thinks it's always a special car treat.
11. Headphones
Headphones are especially great if you have more than one kid in the car. As a parent, you don’t want to hear multiple tablets on full blast fighting for attention.
12. Charging cord
You don’t want your phone or tablet dying at the worst possible time.
13. Window clings
A fun way to entertain. These are extra special if you are on the road during a holiday; pick up a themed window sheet for a dollar at most stores.
14. Lollipops
This is the best treat that will last longer than 30 seconds. Can also help with nausea if you have any car buddies that get motion sickness.
15. Sunglasses
For the passenger, driver and the kids. Nobody wants to be squinting the whole time and end up with a headache.
16. Wet wipes
Great for a quick wipe down in a forgotten roadside bathroom or wiping up a spill in the car.
17. Playlist/Audiobooks
We don’t want our kids staring at screens the whole way there so pre-download a few new audiobooks you could all possibly enjoy. We also have The Greatest Showman soundtrack on repeat in our car that we all love.
18. Bubbles
My boys LOVE bubbles and taking these with us has been such simple entertainment. We usually use them during a pit stop where they can get some energy out before having to get buckled back in.
19. Jump Rope
My oldest likes the rope (doesn’t quite get the jump part yet) but likes to run around with
it like a snake following him! Again, great for a rest area activity and takes up little space in the car.
20. Car seat organizer
As the passenger, I HATE having to crane my neck or contort my body to hand something back to my kiddos. A car seat organizer that can hang in front of them and be reached is a life saver. It will also help to keep your car from exploding with things everywhere.
21. Medicine bag
Stock up on Tylenol, Benadryl, band aids, etc.
Tip: Keep it within reach. It’s not very helpful if you have to pull the car over and dig through bags to find what you’re looking for in an emergency.
22. Blanket
The perfect versatile item! You can use it as a picnic blanket, lay it down in the back to keep the carpet from getting gross and it's always handy for emergencies if your car won’t start and you need something to keep warm.
23. Comfort item
Don’t expect your children to take a nap in the car if they don’t have that special blanket or stuffed animal they can hold. It will also help signal to them that you’re having quiet time in the vehicle even if they don’t sleep.
24. Sensory Item
I’ve found sensory toys to be really helpful in the car with my toddler. They help keep his attention longer than any other toy I’ve brought and are good for when he’s getting irritable or anxious. He likes a colorful Pop It and Liquid Motion Bubbler (so does the husband haha).
25. Games
These can be physical games like car bingo or a scavenger hunt board. Or they can be games without materials like our favorites–I Spy, 50 States License Plates and the Alphabet game.
EXTRA Items: Traveling with Babies
1. Formula or milk
Bring extra formula or milk because you never know if you’ll hit a traffic jam or have an
unfortunate spill. Make sure you have really good ice packs if you’re storing milk!
2. Diapers
You don’t have to bring a massive box with you, especially if you plan on purchasing at your final destination but do make sure you have extras in case of unexpected blowouts and leaks.
3. Set of clothes
Between the poop and spit up, babies' clothes will get gross. Keep an extra set of clothes within reach so you don’t have to go digging through suitcases.
BONUS Tips: Traveling with Toddlers
1. Keep all the car toys in one easy spot. We like to bring a backpack for each kid with the items they wanted to pack and a few surprises I added in.
2. Make sure snacks are little kid friendly. We love grapes in our house, but I make sure to cut them up before we hit the road.
3. If you're still working on the potty training, know your schedule. Try to schedule breaks when your child tends to need the bathroom (I have a toddler that always poops in the late afternoon). Set limits on drinks as well to reduce the number of stops. And fill a small bag with all the bathroom items you might need to make easy to carry into gas stations or rest areas.
Remember, not every moment will be a breeze while exploring the world but with a little planning, packing and praying you will all survive a road trip with kids!
If you’re looking for your next road trip itinerary, comment below or email me at jessicadanielstravel@gmail.com.
Safe travels,
Jessica
BONUS: FREE PACKING LIST
To make it even easier for you to do your packing, I've included my free packing list printable! Click on the link below for your free pdf.
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