How To Pack The Car For A Family Road Trip (Depending On The Ages Of Your Kids)

At some point, this road trip is not going to go as planned. Kids are messy, and life is chaotic. With a little planning, though, parents and kids will get out of the car with smiles on their faces, ready to enjoy a vacation. The most important things to pack are a little patience and flexibility. Of course, having the right snacks and toys along for the ride will keep things going smoothly as well.

Infants

The key here is to keep it simple. With babies, it's tempting to go overboard by packing high chairs, baby baths, folding cribs, and more. Check ahead because most hotels provide cribs. Sink baths or washcloth wipe-downs should be fine while you're out of town. Restaurants often have high chairs, and babies can sit on laps at mealtimes. This is vacation, so mom and dad can relax about some of the rules they normally have at home. Pack just the necessities.

Most importantly, take a first aid kit along. It should include baby Tylenol, diaper rash cream, toothing gel, and sunblock. Babies who cry a lot in the car could suffer from car sickness. Before traveling, parents can ask the family doctor what medicine he or she recommends for it.

Finally, parents should be aware of positional asphyxiation. When babies fall asleep in car seats and slouch forward, it cuts off their air. Little neck pillows are the perfect way to protect children.

The List

First aid kit with baby Tylenol
Diapers
Baby wipes
Changing mat
Extra clothes
Neck pillow and small blanket
Window clings for shade
Baby's favorite music
Teething toys
Playmat for parks or rest stops so baby can stretch out
Mirror for the back of the seat
Favorite snacks and drinks (for babies older than six months)

Young Children (2-5)

A long car trip is a perfect excuse to buy fun things for kids--those things parents usually say no to. Mom or dad can go to the store ahead of time and buy small items like stickers, playdough, slinkies, finger puppets, and snacks. Then, parents pack all of these things into a fun "vacation backpack." Children don't get to see what's inside until they're on the road. Mom and dad can take one item out of the backpack at a time to prevent sensory overload. This will ensure that kids discover each item slowly and at their pace.

Some kids at this age can be rebellious and prone to temper tantrums. Often, this is because they are scared, anxious, or feel out of control. Mom and dad can help them by coming up with an illustrated itinerary before the trip. It could include activities like getting up early, buckling into car seats, playing with toys, stopping at rest stops, and sights along the way. Any part of the trip where parents anticipate trouble needs to appear on the itinerary.

Taking along a training toilet for potty-training children is a perfect way to work around the fear of public bathrooms and keep kids out of diapers. Just stop whenever the little one needs to go, and let them use the same training toilet they do at home. This will give them a link to their routine at home.

The List

First aid kit
Changes of clothes
Training potty
Baby wipes
Tissues
Pillow and blanket
Window clings for shade
Illustrated itinerary so children know what to expect
Surprise travel backpack
Magnadoodle/Clip Board/Drawing instruments
Magnetic puzzles
Finger puppets
Playdough
Board books
Favorite snacks and drinks

Elementary-Age

Kids between the ages of six and twelve can be lots of fun to travel with. They're still excited and enthusiastic but have grown out of temper tantrums (hopefully). They aren't angsty teens yet, though. That means that they'll probably be happy to share in family activities like car bingo or reading a chapter book out loud.

Kids in this age group probably have some toys and books they'll want to take along. This is a great age to teach children how to pack, so they can help prepare for the trip. Of course, elementary-aged children will still love getting a surprise travel backpack filled with goodies just like their younger sisters and brothers.

Children at this age are also learning to be responsible for their own possessions so they may be ready to take care of electronics. Noise-canceling headphones can be a lifesaver. Travel games and reading out loud is fun, but at some point, everyone in the car is going to need a little private time. When kids start annoying each other in the back seat (or their parents), on go the headphones.