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Road Trip Essentials - Traveling with Kids
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items Heading on a long car ride with your kiddos? We've done multiple road trips from 12-24 hours with our now 10 year old! Here's our essentials we always bring to make it most enjoyable for everyone!
Sections
5
Books
Games
Comfy Musts
Food
Technology
Books
Reading can cause car sickness for some, but these activity books are a good balance that usually don't cause issues!
A classic option for keeping minds and hands busy!
Brain Games - Road Trip Puzzles - by Publications International Ltd & Brain Games (Spiral Bound)
This activity book has a little bit of everything.
Awesome Road Trip Activities for Kids - by Jen Tousey (Paperback)
A great way to not only keep you busy, but also a keepsake to look back on.
The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - by Valerie Bromann (Paperback)
A great way to get a little learning in while having fun in the car!
Learn by Sticker: Addition and Subtraction - by Workman Publishing (Paperback)
Another fun sticker by number.
Brain Games - Sticker by Number: Smile Every Day - by Publications International Ltd & New Seasons & Brain Games (Spiral Bound)
Games
While they may not be played in the car, if there are overnight stops or even just down time during your stay, you'll be happy to have some of these on hand!
The slim profile of Mancala makes it an easy game to pack without taking up a lot of space.
Game Gallery Solid Wood Mancala
battle ship folds up really slim and keeps all the pieces neatly inside. Great for travel!
Battleship Game
Another travel friendly game with minimal pieces!
Guess Who 2.0 Game
Comfy Musts
I'm a huge fan of being comfortable. If we're going to be in the car for long periods of time, you better believe I'm going to make it as comfy as possible.
No one wants to wade through trash in the car to get to things. A small trash can will help keep things comfortable in the car.
Car Trash Bin Small
These trays are amazing! They can hold a tablet, any other activities that could be easy to lose or hard to reach. They also provide a stable surface to do activities or to eat.
Travel Tray
While these can be good for kids, my husband actually really enjoys using it to work in the car on long drives.
Lap desk
Travel pillows are especially good for kids to prevent their heads falling forward or other awkward positions if they sleep in the car. I just always make sure to keep the clip open when in use!
Fosmon Foldable Memory Foam Travel Pillow
This blanket folds up super small and nicely to help keep it out of the way and clean when not in use.
Tirrinia Travel Blanket Pillow Soft Bag Pockets, Airplane Plane Flight Car Essentials Compact Set Packable, Travelers Accessories Gifts, Gray
Food
One of the best things we do is bring a bunch of food. Having things on hand means less/shorter stops without anyone going hungry.
Make sure everyone in the car has a large mug so they can stay hydrated without having to keep stopping to get something to drink or to reach into the cooler.
Stanley 40 oz Stainless Steel H2.0 FlowState Quencher Tumbler
A good cooler is a road trip necessity! Pre-make some meals, cut up some fruit/veg and other snacks to keep on hand. It will help decrease stops and increase happiness during your trip.
Igloo Flip and Tow 90qt Roller Cooler - White
We always pack a lunch box in addition to the cooler. That way we can keep the cooler in the back, and fill up the lunch box when we stop for gas with the things we will need in between. We use frozen water bottles as ice packs as they seem to last l...
Thermos Lunch Bag – Black
Great for snacks or dips!
4pc Plastic Condiment/Snack Container Set
Great for a heavier snack tray or a small lunch that will keep things separate.
GoBe Kids' Small Snack Spinner Slide Baby and Toddler Food Storage Container - Twinberry Blue - 11oz
Large snack containers like these can be fun for kids because you can put a little of several different things that are easy for them to get at.
8 Compartment Large Plastic Snack Bento Box Sage Green - Figmint™
If you've got a picky eater, bring a thermos! You can pack them something warm that they may be more likely to eat.
Thermos Kids' 10oz FUNtainer Stainless Steel Food Jar with Snack Top & Spoon - Pink
Technology
Let's be real, technology can be a life saver on super long trips - especially if you've exhausted all other activities or for the ride back when everyone is super tired.
Don't forget a good car charger (or two) to keep those electronics charged!
Car Charger
Make sure to have a good car mount so your phone isn't floating around or potentially falling which can cause unsafe driving!
Vent/Dash Car Mount - Black
Pair these with a tablet or a separate phone so your kids can listen to something different. My daughter loves to listen to audio books on our drives and it allows her to do so while still letting me turn up some music.
JBL Tune Flex True Wireless Bluetooth Noise Canceling Earbuds - Blue
I actually take these large charging banks with me everywhere. They often charge faster and help make sure you don't run out of battery when using critical things like GPS.
Anker 24000mAh 140W GaN Prime Power Bank - Silver