Travel Essentials: What to Pack for a (last-minute) Road Trip with Kids
Written By Esther Davy
how to pack emotional and frazzled
This past weekend, we took a last minute 7 hour road trip with kids to Nebraska to say goodbye to Mr Mountaineer’s Grandma before she passed away. We decided to go around 2pm and drove out at 6pm that night.
We were emotional and frazzled and didn’t have much time to pack or prep. There was no time for laundry or washing dishes, just throw the essentials in a bag and hit the road. But what are the “Essentials” for a 3 and 1 year old to spend 15 hours in a car and 2 nights in a hotel? This last minute road trip threw me for a loop. Usually packing is easy for me. We spend enough weekends in the mountains, but this time I just felt exhausted and unprepared.
I found myself walking around the house in circles grabbing things in sight I thought I’d want and tossing them on the kitchen island. I really wished I had a checklist like I do for car camping. Just something to check as I collect the basics, to give me confidence that in my frazzled state I wasn’t forgetting something important…. Like that time I didn’t even pack a single pair of shoes for Eleanor.
the basics for travel with kids
But what are “The Basics” for a baby and a toddler? When I really boil it down, I think…. Something to Wear, Something to Eat, Somewhere to Sleep. So in retrospect, I created my list of basics and share it with you here. After all, I had 15 hours in the car and nothing to look at but grass and cows.
something for kids to wear
What clothes to pack? How many? A general rule is one for each day away, plus one extra.
- Outfit
- Pajamas (Our favorites are from Primary.com)
- Underwear
- Socks
- 1-2 Pair shoes
- Bathing Suit and Swim Diaper (optional)
- Weather Appropriate Outerwear
- Diapers, Wipes, Changing Pad
something for kids to eat
Getting kids to eat is hard enough and on the road is even harder. Remember these things to make it a little easier.
- Bibs (quick dry ones)
- Baby Spoons
- Sippy Cup for Milk
- Water Bottle
- Medicines and Dispenser
- Travel Highchair (optional)
- Trash bag for car
- Kid friendly food
Kid-Friendly Travel Food Ideas include:
- Baby pouches
- Yogurt pouches
- Applesauce pouches
- Apples
- Cheese sticks
- Gummies
- Crackers
- Salami or Pepperoni
- Milk in Cooler
- Extra Water or Juice Boxes
- Granola Bars
- Favorite Candy
somewhere for kids to sleep
- For baby: Travel Crib and Bedding
- For toddlers or older kids: Sleeping Bag and Pillow
- Special Toy, Stuffed Animal, or Blanket.
- Pacifier
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Johnson and Johnson Bath Set (optional)
Bonus:
One small box or bag filled with small books and toys.
Ideas include:
- Legos
- Cards
- Board books
- Action figures
- Small animals
- Etch a sketch
- Dolls
- Coloring book and crayons or markers
- Tablet and Headphones for older kids (don’t forget the charger)
- Game Device for older kids
Don’t overthink it, just grab a reusable grocery bag and toss in some of their go-to toys. If you’re traveling light or flying, limit yourself to a lunchbox or a small bag your child can carry themselves. We LOVE these mini Kankens from FjallRaven.
the rush job: the bare neccesities of travel: Your Road Trip with Kids
Essentials means something different to everyone. The reality is that if you have to travel in a hurry you can buy diapers, wipes, food, even clothing in just about any town in America with a trip to the dollar store or drug store. So focus on collecting things that are meaningful to your child or expensive to get along the way.
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Travel Crib like this Toddler Tent
- Pacifier or Special Stuffed animal, Blankie.
- Feeding bottles or Sippy cups.
- Medicines and dispensers
- Diaper Bag. (Hopefully stocked).
If you’ve made a Car Box, like we recommend in our article Always be Ready for Adventure. You’ll have most of these ready and waiting in your trunk.
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