Why do you need the road trip with young kids packing checklist? Well, here you are again, everything planned and ready for your road trip except those empty suitcases in front of you. Why is packing such a pain sometimes?
The good news is that there are two things that make packing for a road trip less of a pain:
- You have a whole car’s worth of space, so you don’t have to be as worried about packing light. If you think a few extra toys and activities will make a big difference, throw them all in there.
- We put together an ultimate Road Trip with Young Kids Packing Checklist to help you get through the packing process more efficiently.
Now, doesn’t it already seem a little less overwhelming?
Tailor the list depending on the age of your kids
We made this list with both babies and toddlers in mind, as we have one of each. If you are not nursing or formula feeding, however, there are some things you can definitely scratch off the list. Think breast pump, nipple shields or burp cloths. Cutting all the pumping equipment alone can be a whole bag saved. You can either fill it with other things or just opt for the extra space. I, personally, am so looking forward to the first trip we take post-nursing. Sure, we’ll have to spend more on food, but it will absolutely be less stressful!
Bring on the noise
Another great thing about packing for road trips is that you don’t have to worry about how much noise your kids are making and if they might disturb a whole plane full of people. Bring the singing alphabet bus. Download their favorite songs and audiobooks. Set up some new video games if your kids play them. Entertained kids are happy passengers, and happy passengers make for fun road trips. Just make sure you know how to turn everything off when you do need some quiet time.
Don’t forget the safety check
Car seats are not included on the packing list because, presumably, those are already set up in your car. That said, it is a good idea to do a safety check on them before you leave. Make sure you have appropriate car seats for your children’s height and weight. Inspect them for damages. Check that the car seats are in the correct position and that the straps fit your child snugly and comfortably. The powers that be say you should be able to fit two fingers between the car seat harness and your child’s chest.
If you’re like us and don’t clean the car seats as often as you should, give them a good sweep/scrub/disinfecting before you head out. There will be many snacks, drinks, drools and who knows what else in the immediate future.
Now that you’re mentally prepared for your upcoming road trip, download our ultimate Road Trip with Young Kids Packing Checklist so you can hit the road and have some fun!
If you need to pack for a flight with young kids rather than a road trip, check out our Ultimate Airplane Travel with Young Kids Packing Checklist.