Road Trip Finds and Hacks for Family Travel
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My family of 6 loves international travel, but let's be honest, unfortunately it's not feasible to travel across the world multiple times a year. That means road trips have become our go-to if we want to go anywhere else, and let's just say, we've got these long car ride trips down to a T! From the time my kids were toddlers, I learned that pre-planning made the difference between repetitive "Are we there yet?" questions or a smooth drive where the kids entertain themselves, and I get to listen to my favorite audio books. Screen time doesn't always have to be the go-to. With lots of snacks and car activities, those long hours can go by faster than you think!
Whether you are prepping for that big Summer Break road trip or just need to get your car organization under control - here are my favorite family road trip hacks to make your next road trip not feel like such a long way between home and your final destination.
Here are our 10 best finds for your next road trip:
1. You won’t know you need these headrest hooks until you have them.
Totes, diaper bags, backpacks, healthy snacks, EVERYTHING. No matter what it is, keep it within reach for you and passengers of all sizes with these hooks!
2. Make packing easier with car organizers.
You have cup holders for the kids' sippy cups and your water bottle, but what about everything else they try to bring? My youngest son has a million things he would consider his "favorite things" that have to ride with us everywhere. They need a home on our trips or they take over. Car organizers clean up the car and give your kids easy access to what they need, so there's less "Mom, can I have..." and more independent play.
3. Speaking of a water bottle, it needs a holder! Enter: Expandable cupholders.
Supersize that iced coffee because, on a long drive, you’re gonna need it. And expandable cupholders like these mean you can keep your hands on the wheel.
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4. Be honest, how much trash is in your car RN? Trust me, you need this.
We always clean out the car trash at pit stops, but it’s still nice to have just one container to dump the fast food wrappers at the rest stops. If you don't use a trash can, then trash can easily hide in the back seat and get missed!
5. Potty breaks can turn into "an emergency" quickly unless you have this.
Luckily, my potty training and toddler days are behind me, but I remember those moments vividly where we barely had time to get into a gas station for a bathroom break before they wet their pants. Having a portable potty makes all the difference and is a great idea so you can stay calm when nature calls.
6. Keep your sunnies within easy reach.
If you’re like me, you have 10 pairs of sunglasses in your car, and none of them fit in the built-in holder. This magnetic beauty fits on your visor and holds your fave pair, no matter what size.
7. No roadside assistance? No problem with this emergency power kit.
This may be on the pricier side for this list, but road assistance can be even pricier, and this can give you peace of mind that’s invaluable!!!
8. Trade screen time for a Yoto device!
I can really attest to how great these are because I discovered Yotos right when they came out, and my kids were a lot younger. Now my pre-teens STILL love to listen to it, and it has been worth every penny! From young kids to older kids, this is truly my favorite kid-friendly gadget for long road trips.
9. You’ve collected trash and vacuumed, now it’s time for all those hard-to-reach spaces.
IYKYK about the horrors in the vents, the console, and whatever that is in the cupholder nooks. BLEH! This gel takes no prisoners, well, actually, it does. That’s kinda the point. If you're a clean freak like me, you'll want to clean as you go so your car doesn't look like a disaster zone after the long trip. This putty is a great way to make cleaning a breeze.
10. Reclaim the backseat - and stop reaching for fallen toys.
No matter what bizarre road trip must-have your kiddo insists on bringing, a seat organizer will have a spot for it.
Here's a list of additional important items to add to your road trip checklist:
Hand sanitizer - I'm a hand sanitizer addict. Ain't no way I'm having a sick kid on vacay! My kids each have their own.
First aid kit - this comes in handy for your vacation as well, but can easily be kept in the car.
Registration Card Holder - Toss all of those expired registration cards (into your new trash can), and put everything from your proof of insurance to emergency numbers in this gorge organizer.
Paper towels and a plastic bag - Hear me out, we have a kid who battles car sickness, and these two items have SAVED THE DAY. I hand him the ziplock bag when he feels sick, and paper towels are ready if the worst-case scenario happens and he misses the bag. You’re welcome.
Pre-pack a snackle box for each kid so they can have healthy snack options along the way, and you don't have to live off fast-food or stop every other hour because they’re “starving!”
Remind kids to buckle up and combat “it’s touching me!” seatbelt woes with these fun, cozy covers.
Now for the fun things:
Coloring books - everyone loves to color, and these don't take up a lot of space. Use these washable markers, so your little kids don't make a mess.
Activity books - these are great options to keep my kids entertained for a long time. We rotate each activity book between the 4 of them so they can change it up.
Travel tray - if you're going to give your kids things to do, they need a contained area to do them! My kids have used mini Lego sets, made beaded bracelets, and colored on these travel trays!
Don’t hit the road without hitting “add to cart” on these road trip game changers!
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