This spring and early summer, we are preparing for a couple of road trips with our family of five! With some travel experience with the kids, I’ve learned a thing or two about ensuring a smooth journey. One of the keys? Having the right products on hand. So, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a cross-country expedition, I wanted to share with you some of our absolute favorites. These are items we have used for years, and they have been very helpful in traveling with children. Our upcoming adventures are going to require some planning and organization on my part to help it go as smoothly as possible, which inspired me for this blog. So, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a cross-country expedition, here are some of my go-to travel essential items that will make traveling with children a breeze: Road Trip Edition!
The Road Trip Essentials
Caddy: This organization tote holds all of our kid’s activities in it! So games, books, tablets, everything that we might need for our kids goes in here. I love it because it is compact enough to fit in front of the seat but roomy enough to store everything we possibly need for our kids on the road. There are extra compartments and sleeves so you can organize and add in wet wipes, medicine if needed, plus snacks (Hungry kids are cranky kids, haha). It keeps everything within reach and tidy and minimizes clutter.
Mini Portable Air Compressor: After a weekend camping a couple of years ago I was driving home and ruined my tires. After that experience, I knew I needed a compact pump – this one has been great! I’ve also used it for pool floaties, bike tires, etc.
5-in-1 Fast Retractable Charging Cable: This charging cord is fantastic because it has multiple different connectors for different devices in the car. I’ve used it for my iPad, laptop, iPhone, and kids’ tablets. I love that I can charge different devices with them being plugged directly into the car, and I won’t have cords everywhere.
Leather Visor Sunglass Holder: The sunvisor clips are fantastic for holding your sunglasses or glasses while driving. They are magnetic and super easy to open, so if you’re driving on the freeway, you don’t have to rummage around your center console to look for your sunglasses. You can just grab them right from your visor, and they’re very easily accessible. I love the design of these because they blend well with the vehicle and are not a distraction; they look very sleek.
Car Trash Cans: We have two kinds of trash bags or collectors in the car; both work incredibly well. The first is this Roller Type Trash, which can be more compact and sleek. It will attach to either the head rail or you can attach it to the pocket on the back of the seat. The bag that comes with it holds a lot of liquid, and I really like it for multiple reasons, but this is what we keep in our very backseat. I like that it is discrete and not super noticeable. This other one is this Car Trash Can with a Lid and Storage Pockets. We have had two of these for several years. It’s nice because it holds quite a bit. The pockets on the outside of the trash are a game changer, allowing it to have different things inside and out. Magnetic snaps secure the liner, so my kids are in the habit of always putting their trash in the bag, and then we take the trash out whenever we leave the car.
Travel Games and Activities: We have a variety of handheld games that we keep in our road trip caddy for the kids. It’s a great way to bond as a family, keep away boredom, or pass the time during long stretches on the road. One of my favorites is this Arcade Pixel Classic, which is an arcade handheld device. It reminds me of a Game Boy from the 90s, but it has over 500 games and keeps the boys entertained for hours. It’s been enjoyable for them, and it does not require any Internet connection. Other than that, think card games, travel-sized board games, and interactive books!
Car Window Shades: We love these window sun visor shades because they cling to the glass on your car windows and help filter out the bright sunlight. These are vital, especially with the baby on board. We need this to help shield her eyes, so it’s a great size to put on the middle or back rear windows. These are simple yet essential items that just make parenting easier.
Dip Clips: Not only are these fun, they are surprisingly very functional. The dip tray holders are fantastic. It clips right onto your air vent, and it is perfect for holding a Chick-fil-A sauce, which sounds funny, but this has come in handy so many times I absolutely love it. It is well worth having. I keep mine in a little hidden consul near my dashboard so they’re out of sight, but when I need them, they’re easy to pull out. I also place the dip, so I’m not spilling dip over my seats or dash.
Travel Baby Bottle Drying Rack: This baby bottle cleaning station and drying rack are a must-have for travel! I’ve put it in our baby travel caddy, but I love how compact it folds up—you could take it on a road trip or flight with you and save so much space.
From keeping them entertained to handling unexpected challenges, these essentials will help ensure a stress-free road trip for the whole family. With the right products in your arsenal, traveling with children can be a joy rather than a headache. I highly recommend all of these from personal experience, and I would also love to hear and see your road trip must-haves and kid-friendly travel essentials! Hopefully, these essentials will come in handy for you and me, too. It’s time to plan, pack, and buckle up; wish me luck!
