Travel
17 Road Trip Essentials For Parents
The top products to pack for your next long drive with kids.
by Ashley Jones
There is a lot of planning and preparation that goes into taking a long car ride with kids. Tiny humans can be unpredictable, so as a parent, you have to expect the unexpected, but plan for the inevitable: Emergency bathroom stops on a long stretch of desolate highway, motion sickness, sibling squabbles, and endless snacking. Having these road trip essentials for parents on hand can help make your next trip a breeze, no matter where you’re headed.
The best products for road trips with kids are ones that solve pesky problems that pop up when your entire family is crammed into a minivan for 10 hours. The sun shining in your toddler’s eyes while they try to nap? Pop a portable sun shade on their window and hand them a neck pillow. Your preteen forgot to charge their iPad (again) but they’re sitting in the third row? That’s nothing a 10-foot-long charging cord or a solar-powered charging pack can’t remedy. From portable potties to pre-portioned snack containers, seat organizers, and even a chemical-free air freshener (because diaper blowout scents like to linger), be sure to check out this list of road trip essentials for families before you hit the open road.
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Keeping everyone comfortable, entertained, and happy on a cross-country road trip may be easier said than done, but these products that make car trips easier with kids can solve at least a few of the most common road trip woes.