For many families, the car is an extension of their home. Between commuting, school drop-offs/pick-ups, extracurricular activities, errands, and even the occasional family road trip, we all spend a lot of time in our cars. And because of this, it’s smart to make sure your vehicle is stocked with essentials for your kids.
Having an emergency or backup kit in your car filled with your children’s everyday necessities can be a lifesaver. The next time you forget a diaper, go too long without pumping, or find yourself dealing with a major car sickness mess? You’ll be glad you thought of these preparation tips in advance.
And if you don’t have a car essentials kit yet, we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll break down exactly what you need in your car once you have kids. Each item will make every trip safer and far less stressful.
Here’s what you need to keep in your car if you’re a parent:
What to Keep in Your Car if You Have Kids
Kid Car Essentials
- Extra diapers
- Large changing pad
- Bib
- Burp Cloths
- Extra formula (if applicable)
- Extra bottle (if applicable)
- Breast milk storage bags (if applicable)
- Manual breast pump (if applicable)
- Lightweight baby blanket
- Extra socks
- Light jacket or hoodie
- Hair ties
- Car seat safe toys
Safety & Emergency Essentials
- Basic first-aid kit
- Emergency contact list
- Car seat manual(s)
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Reflective vest
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- Resqme car escape tool
- Blanket
- Fire extinguisher (vehicle-rated)
- Extra phone charger
- Portable power bank
- Flashlight
- Small notepad and pen
- Emergency cash
Mess Management
- Baby wipes
- Tissues
- Paper towels
- Car vacuum
- Mini trash can
- Cleaning cloths
- Disinfecting wipes
- Wet/dry bags
- Vomit bags
- Stain remover
- Extra outfits for everyone
- Pull-ups (even if potty trained)
- Portable potty and liners
- Small trash bags or grocery bags
Health & Comfort Items
- Motion sickness remedies
- Allergy meds
- Inhaler or EpiPen (if prescribed)
- Vaseline
- Lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Car seat safe snacks
For help prepping your car for different seats, emergencies, and circumstances, read these packing lists next:
How to Organize Car Essentials Safely
Glove Box: Items You Need Quick Access To
Put flat, important documents in the glove box. Things like insurance, registration, emergency contact information, and car seat manuals can all go in here for easy access. Otherwise, we recommend avoiding cluttering the glove box with a lot of unnecessary items. Doing so can make it harder to grab what you need during a traffic stop or after an accident.
Center Console: Everyday Essentials for Parents
We generally recommend reserving the center console for parents’ everyday essentials. These are things you may need to grab while waiting in the school pickup line, sitting in a parking lot, or running quick errands. These are also items a front-seat passenger could easily access while you drive.
Smart things to keep here include phone chargers, hand sanitizer, lip balm, hair ties, emergency cash, wipes, and similar small essentials. To keep it all organized, use these reusable zipper pouches so items don’t get lost or roll around.
Back of Seat Organizer: Soft-Sided Lightweight Items
Car organizers that hang on the back of the seat are not our favorites. Often, they’re packed with heavy or hard items and hung directly in front of kids in their car seats. The problem is that everything in the organizer can become a dangerous projectile in a crash.
However, limiting these organizers to soft-sided, lightweight items makes them much safer. Store things such as tissues, diapers, vomit bags, and car seat-safe toys. Ultimately, backseat organizers work best for items you or your kids may want while getting in and out of the vehicle.
Note: If your vehicle has certain types of airbags, seat-back organizers may not be safe. Always check your vehicle manual to be sure.
Soft-Sided Caddy: Daily Must-Haves for Kids
A soft-sided caddy works best as a backup diaper bag. For example, you can securely tuck feeding supplies, burp clothes, bibs, changing pads, extra diapers, and additional wipes inside. It can sit on the floor in the back seat or on the passenger seat for easy access.
Upcycled Tissue Cylinder: Cleaning Supplies
This is one of our favorite car organization hacks. Use those cylinder tissue containers that fit in a cup holder, and once the tissues run out, refill them with something else. Grocery bags, small trash bags, microfiber towels, and similar items fit easily inside, creating a handy dispenser on the go.
Trunk Organizer: Emergency Gear & Bulky Items
A trunk organizer may seem optional, but if you’re carrying larger or bulkier items, it’s actually not. Things like fire extinguishers, emergency tools, sports equipment, and roadside gear can become extremely dangerous projectiles in a collision if they aren’t secured.
A larger trunk organizer allows you to strap down emergency gear, weather-specific supplies, and other loose items. This keeps your car cleaner and helps you stay organized and prepared without compromising safety.
Keep these essentials in your car to handle day-to-day mishaps.
Keeping your car stocked and organized won’t prevent every unexpected moment—but it can make day-to-day mishaps much easier to handle. A well-thought-out car essentials kit helps you stay prepared, reduce stress, and focus on what matters most: keeping your whole family safe and comfortable on the road.
For more guidance on correct car seat use, travel with kids, and vehicle safety, explore the Safe in the Seat blog. And if you’re looking for additional resources for maintaining a tidy car, read these posts next:
- Tips to Keep Your Car Organized
- How to Keep Your Car Clean with Kids
- Best Way to Clean a Child’s Car Seat Safely
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