Must-Have Items on a Car Journey With the Kids

Emily Dick - 20 Nov 18

Traveling with kids isn’t always easy, so it’s important to be well-prepared to ensure your trip goes according to plan. There are a few items which are essential when making a long car journey with young kids. Here, we take a look at 5 of the most important things to keep in your car to ensure stress-free travel with your children.

1.Car Seat Organizer

Car seat storage is crucial when traveling with children – all their gear quickly starts taking up a lot of space in the car! Back seat organizers are ideal for older children as they have pockets to keep everything handy and will also help protect the back of the seat from dirty feet. Some organizers even come with compartments to hold a tablet so your child can comfortably watch movies throughout the journey. Many also have bottle holders, and some of the more expensive models even have dining trays which fold down to enjoy a snack with ease.

2. Travel Tray

Kids car trays are perfect for toddlers. They often get bored easily during long journeys, so using a tray to keep their toys and snacks close is really useful. These trays are designed to fit toddler car seats, and are usually adjustable to fit most seats. They offer a stable surface for kids to draw and color on, or to eat more easily. Car seat trays often come with high sides which can stop toys from sliding off when turning corners.

3. Head Support Travel Pillow

A travel head pillow can help your child sleep more comfortably if they tend to get a sore neck when sleeping in the car. There are many to choose from, which are designed for kids of different ages. You can also get head supports for babies – they are often included with infant car seats. It’s important to ensure they are adjusted to correctly fit your child’s head to offer maximum support and comfort.

4. Waterproof Car Seat Pad

This is essential when traveling with a child who has recently been potty trained. Young children are often unable to hold for long – when they need to go, they need to go now! A waterproof mat can help protect your car seat – simply put the mat into the washing machine to save having to scrub your car seat. Waterproof car seat mats can usually hold around a whole cup of water – they are also ideal for keeping the seat dry if your child spills their drink. You’ll also want to ensure you have a full change of clothes for your child when on a road trip just in case!

5. Printable Car Games

Older children love playing games when traveling in the car. There are loads of websites offering free printable games to play in the car. License plate games are a great way to keep kids amused, or games such as spotting different road signs. As well as games, you can provide your child with puzzles such as wordsearches or coloring in sheets. You can also play games such as I-Spy or Yellow Car – these games are fun for the whole family to get involved!

About the Author

Emily Dick is a mom of one who is currently working on parenting website Whooops-a-Daisy. Here, she enjoys writing about a range of topics whether it’s reviewing the best strollers or finding the perfect gifts for children of all ages.

Emily Dick

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