The Ultimate Car Packing List

photo of baby GG with her first doll: Penelope! :D

So, I have to re create my kids emergency/ car packing kit because we've cleaned our cars of all the junk and have to start over from scratch. Just sharing what I found around the net and created an ultimate pack list:


First how to keep the car clean. I do not know anything about this because right now the floor to my SUV resembles that of a movie theater the first night after a blockbuster opens.

From Ehow.com comes these tips:

Step 1: Use the seat back pockets to stash a few books, slim toys, travel tissues and miscellaneous back seat travel needs.

Step 2: Store the small garbage bag, disposable window wipes and travel-size lint brush in the back or the trunk. Keep the disposable hand wipes in the middle console for easy access. Offer them up anytime someone in the car gets sticky, gooey or smelly.

Step 3: As you make your stops throughout the day, take a minute to gather any garbage that has collected in the car. Use the small garbage bag to hold the trash until you can dump it in a trash receptacle. Recycle the bag (unless it gets sticky, gooey or smelly) and use it several more times to collect and dump.

Step 4: While waiting to pick up one of your passengers, use your disposable window wipes to wipe down any prints on the windows. These can also work to wipe up vinyl, door handles and any other solid surface.

Step 5: With leather seats, simply brush off the surface and wipe down any sticky spot with the disposable window wipe. Cloth seats can be crumb free after using a lint brush on them.

Now what to keep in the car:

Snacks: My little buggers are always saying they are hungry even on short trips and nothing hushes a wailing baby passing her back a cup of cheerios. We usually keep granola bars, a couple juice boxes, some peanut butter crackers and snack pack of chips in the center console.

Tissues and Baby Wipes

No sensible parents will travel with their kids without the aid of tissues and baby wipes. There will always be runny noses to wipe as well as sticky fingers, gooey faces and dirty bottoms to clean.

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags have many different uses. They can be used as rubbish bags, bags to carry soiled clothing, for throwing up or even cut up to line the car seat when there is a need – for instance when there are spills or when someone cannot hold the bladder long enough! They are also useful for stuffing little toys and trinkets that kids tend to leave behind. So keep several clean plastic bags of various sizes just in case.

Children’s CDs, Toys and Books

Play some children’s nursery rhymes and sing along with the kids in the car. It’s great fun to keep some small toys and picture books in the car too. Older children may enjoy joke books and read out loud for all to enjoy the jokes – it kills boredom when the family is stuck in traffic or waiting.

Change of Clothing

Even if you’ve already packed everything in the luggage, it’s always advisable to pack a smaller bag with a change of clothing for the kids. Make sure there is a spare shirt, jacket, towel, pants, socks and undies for each child. If any of the kids accidentally dirties or wets the shirt during the journey, Mom can easily change her without having to go through the entire luggage for items needed.

It’s a good idea to keep the change of clothing in the car at all times. The kids may have little mishaps in the car even during 10-minute drives or want an impromptu sleepover at their cousin’s house after spending an afternoon there.

First Aid Kit

Get a first aid kit and leave it in the car. Make sure the kit has band-aids, cotton wool, antiseptic cream, a pair of small scissors, alcohol swabs, gauze pads and triangular bandage. These will come in handy when someone suffers cuts and bruises while playing in the park.
Medication

If the family is traveling long distance, consider packing medication such as paracetamol and teething gel in a small toiletry bag and keep it in the glove compartment or a handbag instead of putting them in the luggage. The medication will be easily accessible when there is a need for it and the risk of it leaking all over the contents of the luggage eliminated altogether.
Cushions and Pillows

These can make traveling within the confines of the car more comfortable, especially when the kids are tired or sleepy. They are also useful to protect the upholstery if there is a big heavy load on the car seat.

Big Bottle of Clean Water

Fill up a 2 liter bottle with clean water and leave it in the car. You never know when someone needs to have a quick wash of the hand, rinse the mouth after vomiting or top up the water in the radiator!

Big Plastic Bin

Buy a big plastic bin and keep it in the trunk. This bin can be used to hold shopping bags, shoes, wet swimsuits and towels, dirty toys and almost everything mentioned above. That way, the trunk will be better organized and parents can find what they want more easily.