All parents have to drive kids somewhere, sometime. And most of us do so on a daily basis. It’s nice to get kids out of the house and to show them how life works in the outside world. However, it is not fun to drive kids who are screaming, fighting, or whining. Not only is it not fun, but it’s also more difficult to pay attention to the road!

Keeping kids entertained and happy in the car is a game changer. And having everything you need while out and about just makes everything easier. What would your life feel like if your kids (and you) were happier and chiller while in the car? Here are 19 essential things to keep in your car that can help make car rides smoother for everyone.

1. Water Bottle (For Each Kid + Yourself!)

I cannot tell you how many times I am thirsty in the car! It’s so nice to have a water bottle that I don’t have to remember to lug back and forth. This goes for kids too. Thirsty kids = whiney, unhappy kids in cars. Plus it’s nice for other things too. For example, we never have to remember to pack water bottles for sporting events.

2. Books

For car books, I usually like to have chunky cardboard books that don’t have easy-to-rip pages. It’s a nice way for kids to pass the time. Even babies love looking at pictures and flipping through pages!

3. Gum, Snacks, and Non-Melty Candy

Most of the time, I don’t plan to be in the car during snacks or mealtimes. (I like keeping my car clean.) But you know about the best of plans. Sometimes they get thrown off-course! Or — and this is not uncommon — I’m the hangry one.  In these situations, it’s great to have an ’emergency stash’ of snacks on hand. I like to keep gum on hand too, because it keeps kids happy and awake. Which is extremely helpful if you’re trying to drive and also not have your child-who-recently-dropped-naps not fall asleep and mess up your evening routine. 

4. Diapers and Wipes

Have you ever been out and about without diapers or wipes and have a poopy baby on your hands? It’s so stressful! I have sadly been a victim of my own lack of diaper planning and had to buy diapers when I was out. This is often quoted in our Parenting With Peace Course: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s much better to just go out prepared. That being said, if you have kids in diapers, always keep a good stash of diapers in your car. If you don’t have kids in diapers, keep the wipes on hand anyway. They are useful for so many things!

5. Car Seat Protectors

This is something I wish I had known about when I had my first kid! They are so so so helpful, I can’t imagine driving without them. Basically this handy gadget goes in between your kid’s carseat and the car, saving it from permanent dent marks, spills of who-knows-what, and crumbs of every shape and size. I also love that they have little pockets on the bottom for your kids to keep things in (see #8 and #19). These car seat protectors make it infinitely easier to clean your car and to keep it organized too.

6. Phone Charger / Car Converter

Having a phone charger is so helpful. We are very lucky that our car is compatible with my phone and can show directions, play music, and do a ton of things while it’s plugged in. Of course it’s great to disconnect sometimes, but when you’re out running errands with kids is not one of those times. It helps our car rides go smoother when we all get to pick music we like or listen to a good audiobook on the road. It’s also nice to use Siri so I can keep my eyes on the road and hands on the wheel if I need to call someone on the way.

7. Clipboard & Homework/Drawing/Coloring

Having a clipboard in the car is so nice for older kids! They’re a little more coordinated with their hands and they can draw, write, and do other things while in the car. Younger kids might just love a good coloring book and a few colored pencils or markers.

8. Things To Do/Toys

love these books. I love reading them because the magic is fun, and there are so many good themes about the power of friendship, love, and being a kind person under pressure. I only include the first three books here because I think the next four in the series are more appropriate for an older audience.

9. Blankets

Every once in awhile, we’re having a good time when we’re out a bit later than usual. This means we’re driving home a bit after our kids are normally asleep. It’s fun to do this every once in awhile and make it special. However, it’s not fun to have kids who are overtired and cranky in the car who just want to go to sleep but aren’t comfortable enough. I keep blankets in the car (especially during winter!) for this reason. Luckily our trunk has some hidden storage space underneath the floor part and that’s where I keep blankets.

10. Jumper Cables

This is just a basic essential. Sadly, I have been stranded on the side of the freeway before because of a car issue (stinkin’ alternator…). It is so much less stressful if you have the correct gear to help yourself out. Jumper cables take up very little space and are 100% worth keeping in the car.

11. Bags (Disposable and Reusable)

Having disposable bags (hello on-the-road diaper change or random garbage!) is so so helpful. But it’s also really nice to have reusable bags for carrying things that aren’t gross.

12. Sunscreen & Bug Spray

Sun protection is something we all generally could be better at. Why not make it easier by just keeping sunscreen in the car? I use this almost daily (which is why I go for the family value size) and I’m always thankful I have it. It’s also super easy to keep a can of bug spray in the car for those fun summer nights.

13. Library Card

Libraries are your best friend. Not only do they have books (obviously), but they usually have activities, crafts, toys, and other fun things for your kids (and you) to learn about and do. I always keep an extra library card in the car and I also have my library card number saved in my phone in case I need it.

14. Mini First Aid Kit (Bandaids & Ibuprofen for kids and adults)

Did I think I needed these a few years ago? No. Do I use my mini first aid kit all the time now? Absolutely. There are so many times where I forgot to trim the kids’ nails on Sunday (the reasons for why we do it then are in our Parenting With Peace Course) and it’s nice to have a pair handy! Plus, in a life with babies and toddlers there are bound to be scraped knees and elbows. I also love having the Ibuprofen because you never know when you might need it.

Note: I keep the Ibuprofen hidden so the kids don’t know where it is and both kinds are in a childproof bottle.

15. Mini Stationery Kit: Tape, Pens, Paper, & Thank You Notes

You would not believe how often I use this mini stationery kit! It’s so helpful to have tape, pens, paper, and thank you notes on hand in the car. I keep it all in the glove-box and use them all the time.

16. Mini Bathroom Kit (Hairbrush, Hair ties, Nail Clippers, Mascara, & Basic Makeup)

Confession: On many a morning do I put on my mascara and makeup in the car while the kids are buckling up. It’s very nice to have for rushed mornings. But it’s also helpful after swim days or just for general freshening up.

Other days, my girls’ hair looks absolutely crazy! On those days, it’s nice to have hair things in the car and I can quickly help them look more like cared-for children.

17. Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer (or “hanitizer” as we lovingly call it in our house) is so handy to have when you’re out and about. I use it multiple times a day and never regret having it — unless it leaks all over…in which case, it still might be worth it! At least the car upholstery is germ-free now, right? All joking aside, you’ll definitely want some in your car at all times.

18. Outdoor Blanket

One of my favorite cousin-in-laws gave me this for a baby shower gift. Can I say how much I love her for that? An outdoor blanket like this is probably worth its weight in gold. I love that it zips up (took me a few tries to figure out how but it’s been awesome once I figured it out!), has a little pocket on the outside, and can be used by everyone almost anywhere. Want to lie down on the beach? Perfect. Want to set your baby down on the grass? Perfect. Need to protect your trunk while you pick up bricks/bagged dirt/random stuff from a hardware store? Perfect.

Oh and did I mention, it is washable and waterproof? What more could you want?!

19. Sunglasses (For Each Kid + Yourself)

Who likes driving in blinding bright light and squinting hard enough to give themselves a headache? No one! Just trust me and get a pair for everyone and keep them in #5. 

20. Baby Carrier

There have been so many instances where I wasn’t planning to use this, but needed it. I was so glad to have it in the car! I love this one from Amazon because it has a little seat for the baby (hard to find in other carriers!) but it’s also simple enough to put on yourself. Plus, it’s small and doesn’t take up a ton of space. You can find it plus a ton of other great baby and toddler essentials on our Amazon lists.

21. Umbrella

Is an umbrella good to have when it’s raining? Yes. Is it good to have when it’s super sunny? Yes. Basically it’s a small space to pay for a large benefit!

22. An Adult T-Shirt (and Onesie for Babies)

Toddlers will be toddlers. If they aren’t peeing themselves, they are probably spilling something on their clothes, right? That is, if they aren’t throwing up on you…just kidding. But accidents can happen to anyone! A good friend taught me this trick — keep an adult-size T-shirt in your car. That way, whoever needs it (your 2 year old, your 4 year old, or even yourself!) can wear something that fits them for a temporary fix.

Well that’s a wrap! What do you like to take in the car when you drive with kids? Share it in the comments. Happy driving!