There’s no holiday like a family road trip. It’s the kind of holiday where the possibilities are endless, but when you have kids in tow, there’s a little more planning involved than just following the open road. Excitement can soon become irritation and boredom, so always have a checklist of what to pack, so you can get the best out of your road trip without any problems or meltdowns.
Check the car before you set off
Before you head off, it’s important to do some essential maintenance checks on your vehicle for safety reasons, especially if you are transporting younger children. Keep a jack in the car and make sure your spare tire is in good condition.
Check that your wheels are properly balanced, your tires have enough tread, and that your brakes, lights, wipers, oil, water, coolant, wiper fluid and battery are also checked over. Top up anything that needs refilling. Make sure you’re aware of the road laws and customs of the country you are driving in, and any countries you will be travelling through to get to your destination.
If you’re driving a rental car for your trip, when you pick up your car, inspect its bodywork carefully and log even the tiniest mark or scratch by taking a photo. Also check that any extras you have paid for have been included.
Finally, although keeping a car clean with kids is very hard, make sure that your car is cleaned thoroughly inside and out before setting off. Of course, it will get dirty as your trip progresses, but it’s worth starting out with a clean motor. Make sure that as you pack the car, you also leave enough legroom for everyone. No one wants a long journey feeling cramped up!
Packing list for a family road trip
Here is our guide on how to pack for a family road trip with kids.
Essential items
If you’re planning on stopping for just a night, it’s best to have some of the following items all together in a bag, so you don’t need to unpack everything to get to them.
Otherwise, have a toiletry kit with:
- Hand wipes
- Baby wipes
- Disinfectant spray
- Shower gels
- Deodorant
- Hand sanitiser
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Period products
- Sunscreen
- Plasters
- Medications like ibuprofen or paracetamol
Kids have sensitive skin, so if you’re expecting to stock up on toiletries half way through your trip, make sure you can get ones that are suitable for children. If you’re unsure, it’s worth packing enough for your whole trip.
Keep a roll of toilet paper, spare nappies and nappy bags and baby wipes in the glove compartment, just in case, especially if you are travelling with babies and young children. Keep a bucket in the car too, in case anyone falls ill and or feels car sick on the journey.
Keep a change of clothes for everyone on the trip in a bag in the back of the car – just in case there are any spillages, trips, falls or accidents. Keep a resealable bag close by, so you have something to put soiled clothing into if you need to change yourself or your kids.
Food and drinks
Meal planning and the storage of food and drinks is one of the most difficult things to do when planning a family road trip. While you can look for places to stop and eat, sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Eating convenience foods like supermarket sandwiches or fast food isn’t healthy or good for you when you’re on the road for a couple of weeks.
If you have a family member with a food allergy, things can be even more complicated. How much food you bring with you depends on how ‘off-grid’ you plan on going for your road trip. If you’re driving to national parks and remote locations, it’s likely there won’t be a place to stop and pick up food, so you’ll have to prepare ahead and bring your own.
Pre-make road trip meals and snacks as much as you can. Bring a very large cool bag with plenty of freezer blocks, or a portable fridge with you if space allows. Create and pack breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, depending on what you need. If you plan on regularly stopping at restaurants for dinner, you won’t need to pack as much.
Think about packing foods like fruit, granola bars, dried fruit and flapjacks for healthy snacks. Label everything so that you know what you intend to use it for, and keep your cooler out of direct sunlight.
Clothing
Depending on what you plan to do during your holiday (and where you are going on your road trip), it’s always worth packing extra clothing in case of accidents. This includes underwear and normal clothing.
Bring wetsuits or swimsuits if you plan on getting in water of any kind during your trip, along with sealable plastic bags to put wet clothing into when you are finished (if you have a beach day for example). Bring a towel with you to dry off, and sun hats and sunglasses. Even in winter months, sunglasses can be very handy to shield eyes from the brightness of the sun.
If you’re heading anywhere in the UK, we don’t need to tell you that the weather can be unpredictable, so have a rain jacket to hand and some wellington boots for when the heavens open. Also pack for colder weather, with extra layers or warm clothing should you need it.
A sensible pair of walking shoes and flip-flops are also recommended. Ideally, you want everyone to wear shoes that can be taken on and off fairly easily.
First aid and medical
A first aid bag is essential. You may want to think about putting some first aid products in your toiletry bag, so they are easy to get to. You can then have another bag that is more in-depth on the first-aid front if an emergency happens.
If you’re travelling to remote places, a pharmacy will be out of the question, so gauge how much you will need to pack depending on where you are headed. Be prepared to pack more items than you thought you needed, because when it comes to travelling with kids, accidents are inevitable.
- At least two packs of plasters
- Pain relief medicine
- Sterile wound wipes
- Insect repellent
- Motion sickness tablets
- Antihistamines
- Corn pads
- Blister plasters
- Small bandages and dressings
- Hair bands
- Hand wipes or sanitiser
- Cotton pads
- Tweezers
- Nail scissors
- Safety pins
- Lip balm
- Tissues
If you’re a new parent or have very young children, pack a thermometer and after-sun lotion. As a back-up, it’s always worth buying a first aid kit that you can keep in the boot of the car or in the glove box. Finally, before you go, refresh your memory on how to deal with bleeding, choking and other medical emergencies. Take a little first aid book with you if in doubt.
Technology and entertainment
Entertainment is crucial to avoid hearing the dreaded words: “I’m bored!”. If you can take a portable DVD player, smartphone or tablet, bring along a charger and download a selection of TV programmes and films that the kids can watch. This can potentially keep them entertained for a few hours while you’re doing the most boring part of the journey along main roads.
You can also try:
- Podcasts or audiobooks
- Colouring books and pens
- Board games that don’t have tons of pieces
- Books
- Magazines
- Puzzle books
There’s also the traditional car games that everyone likes to play. Have a sing-along to the radio or connect your own music, with each person taking it in turns to choose a station or song. Or try getting the kids involved in the journey by identifying points of interest along the way. Remember to take plenty of pit stops as you go, so they can stretch their legs and let off steam.
Extra items
Take a travel pillow and blanket in the car, so that little ones can curl up and snooze if they get tired. You can also purchase seatbelt pillows, animal-themed neck pillows and memory foam pillows that shape to the contours of the body, making children more comfortable on car journeys.
Also have to hand some chewing gum, in case your child struggles with ear pain or discomfort during long car rides. Snacks and car sweets are useful (for last-resort bribery), and rubbish bags are a must to help keep the car clean as you travel. Take a torch, a screwdriver and a Swiss Knife if you can, and you’d be amazed at how useful these can be.
What type of bag to pack for a family car trip
How do you pack light for a family car trip? Once you’ve got the essentials listed out, you may wonder how on earth you’ll find room for everything you need. The answer lies in choosing the right type of bags for your trip.
You may find it easier to pack by activity or by category, with everyone’s items all in one bag, rather than having a bag per person. For instance, you might have everyone’s outdoor gear and other essentials for a trip to the beach or a hike in one bag. This will save you lots of time and digging around in multiple bags trying to find specific items.
Opt for a bag that can take all weathers, such as a hard case, or waterproof duffel bag. You may prefer to have a hard case with wheels for transporting heavier items, or something that can be carried on the body if you are planning to be somewhere with plenty of wet and muddy weather. Pockets are your best friend – use them to store a pack of plasters, keys, cash, tissues or wet wipes.
Try to pack light where possible – as you often think you need more than you actually do. Mix and match outfits where you can to create multiple outfits for several days. Bottoms like trousers, jeans or leggings can often be worn two days in a row with different tops, for instance. Try to pack clothing that won’t crease too much, and that is easily washed in a sink.
What not to bring on a family road trip
Although the packing list may seem never-ending, there are a few things to avoid taking on your road trip. Don’t take loud and noisy toys that can get annoying pretty quickly. Leave your umbrella at home (you’re not likely to use it – pack hooded waterproof jackets or coats instead). Be strict with yourself and try to pack like a minimalist when it comes to clothes and shoes.
As a maximum, pack one pair of shoes for each person (make sure the ones you are wearing for the trip are versatile). Don’t be tempted to pack fizzy drinks and sugary snacks that can make children hyperactive and left with sticky hands. If you’re making your own food for the trip, hold off packing multiple food containers. Try to keep these to a minimum to save precious space.
More tips for a road trip with kids
The more road trips you do, the more you will get used to packing for a long drive. Here are some final tips and tricks to help make your journey go a little bit smoother.
- Stay well hydrated and keep a bottle of water in the car for each person. Refillable water bottles are very handy.
- Get plenty of sleep before setting out. Remember to take regular breaks for everyone’s sanity (and legs!)
- Pack jumping cables for your car battery (this is vital if you’re heading to remote locations).
- Pack a one-night bag if you’re stopping at a hotel. Include everyone’s pyjamas, toiletries, and a change of clothes so that you don’t have to get every case out of the car.
- Plan your route carefully in advance, considering places to stop to stretch, and have toilet breaks along the way.
