I had always been fond of road trips. The excitement of bonding with the people you ride with, sharing stories and enjoying music, the scenic view outside the car windows, and the thrill of not knowing what could happen before we arrive at the destination had always been a fun experience.
But after my first time doing it with the kids, I have realized that a family road trip is an entirely different story. The thrill of the long, often unpredictable rides became worrisome, especially for the welfare of the kids. So, if you’re here looking for tips to get through your first road trip as well, you came to the right place!
In this article, I’ll list down some of the most important things to consider adding to your family road trip checklist and some other tips to make your family road trip less stressful and more memorable.
6 Essential Road Trip Items to Bring for Your Kids
Figuring out what to pack for the little ones can be the most difficult part of preparing for a family road trip. But don’t worry! I’ve put together 6 essential family road trip items you should always add in your checklist so you’ll always be ready to meet the needs of your kids:
1. Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is key, especially during long hours on the road. Pack a reusable water bottle for each of your kids. It’s not only eco-friendly, but also ensures they always have water on hand. Plus, a familiar bottle can be a comforting item for kids in a new environment.
2. Snack Containers
Let’s be honest, snacks are non-negotiable for road trips. To avoid a car full of crumbs and wrappers, pack a variety of healthy and fun snacks in designated containers.Think sliced fruits, crackers, cheese cubes, and pretzels. Portioning them out ahead of time can also prevent backseat squabbles over who got more.
3. Change of Clothes
Spills, messes, and unexpected weather changes are all part of the road trip adventure. Having a complete change of clothes for each child easily accessible can be a lifesaver. Pack a top, bottoms, underwear, and socks for each kid in a separate, easy-to-grab bag.
4. Extra Footwear
From muddy puddles at a rest stop to a spontaneous hike, you never know what your road trip will throw at you. A spare pair of footwear for each child is always a good idea. Consider packing a versatile pair of sneakers or flip-flops that are comfortable for walking and playing.
5. Toiletries
Create a small toiletry bag for your kids with travel-sized versions of their essentials. This could include toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap or body wash, and any special lotions or creams they use. Having their own kit can also make bedtime routines in a new place feel more familiar.
InchBug has personalized pouches that are particularly helpful in keeping you organized by keeping these toiletries in one place and readily identifiable.
6. Medications and First Aid Kit
Pack any prescription medications your child needs, along with a basic first-aid kit. Your kit should include items like adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, allergy medication, and any other items you might need for minor bumps and scrapes along the way.
Why You Should Label All Your Kids’ Belongings for the Family Road Trip
Labeling your kids’ stuff before the family road trip should no longer be optional, but a necessity! A simple label could go a long way to avoid the hassles and stress during your trip. Here are specific reasons why labeling your kids’ belongings is a great idea for the family road trip:
Helps Prevent Mix-Ups
Road trips are bustling with energy, and rest stops are particularly busy. With many people cramped up in a space, it’s easy for your child’s water bottle or snacks container to get mixed up with someone else’s, especially if you’re traveling with other relatives.
A clear name label, like our versatile Orbit Labels® for water bottles, ensures everyone knows whose is whose. It also helps keep your child safe from eating something they’re allergic to, especially thanks to InchBug’s Allergy Alerts Labels For Kids.
Avoids Loss of Your Kids’ Belongings
Let’s face it, kids are prone to losing things. A beloved toy, a new jacket, or their favorite water bottle could easily be left behind. With labeling, you’ll be less likely to worry about lost items. Labeling dramatically can prevent lost items by encouraging responsibility and accountability for the items your kids owned. It also increases the chances of your kids’ belongings being returned.
InchBug solves your labeling woes with durable, waterproof, and easily customizable labels, including clothing labels, shoe labels, and other stickers for labeling.
Helps Maintain Hygiene
Hygiene should still be the top priority, even on the road when your child could be more exposed to germs. Labeling water bottles and snack containers helps ensure your child isn’t accidentally sharing with others, which is a simple but effective way to keep everyone healthy.
InchBug’s sticker name labels and Orbit Labels® for baby bottles or for water bottles are particularly helpful in ensuring that hygiene is maintained at all times.
Easy Recall in Case of Emergency
In cases of emergency when emotions are high and time is crucial, labeling items can help you or someone else quickly identify what’s needed in a pinch. Inchbug’s durable sticker name labels can also come in handy in these situations.
Moreover, InchBug’s Allergy Rectangle Kids Bag Tags are also a great way to ensure that all of your child’s allergies and medication information are safely kept in one place, which is also helpful during emergencies.
Other Road Trip Tips for Families With Kids
Keeping up with the essentials in the family road trip checklist should just be a starting point for your preparations. There are also some points to remember to make the experience as stress-free and seamless as possible. Here are some of them:
- Involve Your Kid in the Preparations: Make the road trip something your kid could look forward to. Have them participate in planning and preparations, even in small ways like letting them plan the fun activities during the trip or finding and suggesting beautiful roadside attractions that you can stop by to admire.
- Plan for Stops: Plan for regular stopovers to help your kids do some stretches, burn off some energy, or do some bathroom breaks.
- Entertainment is Key: Pack a bag of travel-friendly activities that can keep your child entertained on the road without adding to their screen time. Think coloring books, magnetic games, and engaging board games.
- Create a Car-Friendly Playlist: Add to the entertainment and fun of the family by creating a playlist featuring your family’s favorite tunes.
Make Family Road Trips More Meaningful With InchBug
A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable family road trip. And through it all, I have found that InchBug has been particularly helpful in making all these preparations easier with their durable, waterproof, and readily customizable labels.
From clothing tags and shoe labels to Orbit Labels® for baby bottles or for water bottles, InchBug has always been my go-to partner in keeping everything organized during road trips with my family. Labeling with InchBug has made road trips less stressful for me, so I suggest you also get them for yourself the next time you’ll have a family road trip!
With your bags packed and your essentials labeled with InchBug labels, you’re ready to hit the road and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
Have a fun and safe road trip!
