Packing the car for a road trip with kids is absolutely a life-size Tetris game. If you are at all like me, unless you have a list to tick off important gear is bound to be left behind. Right on the tails of a recent mega road trip with our three kids under seven I have put together a road trip series. The reason – road tripping with young kids can be an awesome and amazing experience. It can also have you tearing your hair out in frustration! Today’s post is all about packing– the road trip essentials for families travelling with kids.
Luggage
Call me obsessional but I put considerable thought into choosing luggage for a road trip. In general when we travel I use one bag for myself and all three kids. It is just so much easier to cart one mega bag around instead of four smaller ones. Taking multiple bags also increases the risk of one becoming lost. Using a huge bag works well when we are traveling to one destination where I unpack when we arrive and repack for departure. With a road trip the game changes though – multiple short stops along the way. The way I deal with this is to take a large bag that has a smaller top compartment. If for example we are planning to overnight on our route, the next day’s clothes for the four of us are packed in the top compartment ready for the next leg of the journey. For convenient online purchase of luggage and more that is perfect for road tripping with kids check out In Luggage.
Kid’s packs
Each of our older children stow their own backpack in the vehicle near them. Having them pack it themselves with items to entertain them on the journey but make sure it contains at least one activity pack containing colouring in/mazes/dot to dots etc. We calculated that having an activity pack in the bag equalled one hour of “are we there yet” free drive time daily.
First Aid Kit
The content of our own first aid kit varies depending on how remote we are likely to be traveling. For families road tripping in Australia on rural routes I’d suggest as a minimum a small kit containing the following:
-A selection of sticking plasters.
-At least one crepe bandage
-Paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medication in the appropriate concentrations (eg we take three concentrations of paracetamol with us, tablets for adults, children’s liquid and infant liquid).
-Disinfectant
-A syringe for dispensing children’s medicine.
-Stingose or other topical treatment for insect bites.
-Any regular medication that family members regularly take.
-Tweezers.
-I am including insect repellent and sunscreen here too.
Technology
Smartphones have revolutionised our road trips due to navigating apps and the ability to do quick searches on the road in regards to family friendly places to stop along the way (preferably for a swim). If you don’t have a smart phone a standard auto GPS system is worth investing in.
Our Ipad minis are the most wonderful tool for keeping our kids occupied on road and plane journeys. Our kids are only allowed to use them when traveling (proper road trips or plane trips, not driving around town). In advance of a big trip we download a selection of children’s audiobooks, movies, televisions shows and games for them. Headphones are a must if you don’t want to be driven mad by the Wiggles! Make sure you take chargers for all devices.
Esky
If you don’t wish your children to dine on chicken nuggets daily then feeding the family on road-trips takes more than a little organisational skill. Taking an esky, even if it is just a small esky bag facilitates healthier food options and saves a bucket load of coin – food price hikes along major highways are notorious.
Food
We pack picnic lunches on road trips. We also try to have a supply of health snacks and treats for the kids during drive time.
Water
How much water you take with you will depend on whether you are traveling remotely or not. The Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads recommends taking 20 litres of water for emergency use with an additional 4 liters per person per day when driving in the outback. Traveling on major Australian highways that are rural, not remote (such as the Hume) you should at least have an emergency supply of water in the vehicle. Having water bottles handy for all family members to use during drive time is also wise.
Stroller
There isn’t room for our everyday stroller in our car with our luggage but we have found a cheap umbrella stroller sufficient when traveling. It doubles as a high chair in our accommodation and we aren’t worried about it becoming grubby.
Portacot
If you have a baby or young child you are likely to be slogged at least 25 dollars a night to hire a portacot at most accommodation. Managing to squeeze it into the boot on a week long road trip will save you nearly 200 dollars
Rubbish bags
Unless you want your vehicle to look like a rubbish dump take a couple of plastic bags for rubbish collection while driving. Many picnic areas also require you to take your rubbish away with you so have a couple of larger bags in the car for this purpose.
Car Gear
How much you have on board will once again depend on whether you are taking an outback road trip or general highway trip. Take at least one spare tyre (two if traveling in the outback) and a tool kit in the vehicle.
Roadside assistance
I am a big fan of autoclubs that offer roadside assistance. If you are a member (and if you are taking a road trip with kids you should be!) ensure you have their card with phone number in your wallet.
For more tips on road trips with young kids check out these articles:
Surviving a road trip with high energy kids.
The top 10 road trip safety tips.
Disclaimer:
Bubs on the Move partnered with Inluggage.com for this post. All opinions are my own.
Bubs on the Move provides tips and advice for parents traveling with small children including attraction and accommodation reviews. I’d love for ya’ll to join us on our adventures by either signing up for the newsletter, joining us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to receive updates.
One big mega suitcase is my thing to! Yes to technology also 🙂
xo
The only time the mega suitcase causes problems is on flights with Jetstar when it can get me into trouble being overweight. I have had a few heated discussions with staff when I am travelling alone with the kids and they want to charge me extra for oversize baggage, even though the kids are not checking any of their allowance. Roadtrips however, not a problem.