10 Essentials for a Stress Free Road Trip with Kids
There’s nothing quite like taking a road trip with kids; the snacks packed, playlists queued, and an exciting new adventure ahead. But after years of road-tripping all over the Midwest with babies, toddlers and kids, I’ve learned that a smooth trip doesn’t just happen by chance; it all comes down to preparation.
Whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway or a weeklong cross-country drive, these are 10 of of our road trip essentials that keep our family happy, comfortable, and ready for anything on our adventures.
1. Electric Cooler
Let’s start with my absolute #1 must have for every road trip- our electric cooler. Forget melting ice and soggy snacks; this thing plugs right into your car and keeps everything perfectly chilled. We use it on all of our road trips, near of far, for drinks, fruit, cheese sticks, and even prepped breakfast and lunches. It’s especially great for families who camp, picnic, or like to explore off-the-beaten-path without relying on gas station food or restaurants. Once you travel with one, you’ll never go back to a traditional cooler.
2. First Aid Kit
If you’re traveling with kids, you know bumps, scrapes, and surprise fevers come with the territory. A well-stocked first aid kit is a must-have. I love this Keep Going First Aid kit– it’s the perfect size to keep in the glove box or toss in your hiking backpack or purse. It’s stocked with all the essentials: bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, tweezers and more. I added in some children’s Motrin and Benadryl so I always have some, which has come in handy so many times.
3. Amazon Kids Tablet
I’m sure you will come across road trip families who don’t believe in screens for long drives, but we are not one of those families! Long drives can feel endless for little ones, and while we love audiobooks and road trip games, there comes a time when everyone needs a little quiet. The Amazon Kids Tablet is our absolute favorite for long car trips. You can download movies, games, and books before you go, no Wi-Fi needed, and it comes with a kid-safe case and parental controls. Plus, it’s insanely affordable.
Pro tip: Grab this tablet holder to mount it on the back of your headrest so everyone can watch a movie together. This is great for windy roads to help prevent car sickness.
4. Travel Organizer for the Backseat
Organization is key for a long road trip with kids. We use a backseat organizer that hangs behind the front seats and holds everything- from water bottles and snacks to books and coloring supplies. It helps keep everything they need easily accessible and in reach.
If you have a 3rd row vehicle, we love this backseat organizer for the kids in the far back to keep all their snacks and supplies handy.
5. Reusable Water Bottles
We are obsessed with the Owala brand water bottles. By far the best water bottles we’ve found, they keep our drinks cold and without spills. I love this one for the adults (it fits in cup holders!) and this one for our kiddos. We always toss a couple gallons of water in the trunk when we pack up the car so we can cheaply refill our bottles throughout the trip.
6. Portable Power Bank
Between phones, tablets, and cameras, something always needs charging. I love these portable power banks to ensure we always have a way to power up. They recharge quickly and are small enough to carry in my purse or backpack.
7. C0oling Towels
These small towels have come in handy so many times! They dry quickly, don’t take up tons of space, and can be used in so many different ways. From cleaning up spills, to dipping in water and wearing on our neck to stay cool during the summer, to wiping down damp picnic tables or swings- I always make sure to keep a couple of these in my glove box for road trips.
8. Car Trash Can
It sounds simple, but a small car trash can makes a huge difference. Between snack wrappers and juice boxes, road trips can get messy fast. Having a designated place for trash keeps the chaos slightly more contained
9. Road Trip Snacks
Keeping a good sized stock of all your kids favorite snacks during a long day in the car helps everyone happy. My trick to distributing snacks: each kid gets a brown paper sack at the beginning of the trip filled with 10-12 different items. I do a mix of crackers, granola bars, fresh fruit or veggies, and some treats as well. This keeps me from hearing “mom, I’m hungry” approximately 12,210 times during the trip.
I also fill these reusable bags up before our trip with Dum Dum’s and peppermints and keep them both in my van and purse/hiking backpack. This is the perfect treat or motivation to help get through a long line, some of those tougher trails, or to settle an upset tummy while on the road.
10. Packing Cubes
This may seem like a weird essential, but it helps so much to keeping everything organized on those longer road trips. I use packing cubes for so much! If we are staying in multiple hotels during the trip, I can fill 1 packing cube with all our clothes and pj’s for the 1st night, and then don’t have to haul all our luggage inside. I can just grab our labeled packing cube for that night, and leave the rest in the car.
I also keep a packing cube somewhere handy in the car with extra clothes and swimsuits for a quick change. We love getting out and stopping at great parks, splash pads or creeks, and sometimes this means the opportunity to get wet. Having a suit and change of clothes handy and ready to go is a game changer when your on a time crunch.
I have had this set for years and use them on every trip we go on!
Final Thoughts
Family road trips are some of our favorite adventures; not because they’re always easy, but because they’re full of moments we’ll remember forever. With these essentials packed and ready, you’ll spend less time dealing with chaos and more time soaking up the views, the laughter, and all the little things that make the journey worth it.
