Car trip ahead? Try these 4 easy ways to organize the ride.
I know: This looks like a lot of stuff. But depending on your kids’ ages and hobbies, you probably won’t need all of it.
Just consider each category a small part of your overall on-the-road survival kit.
Package that stuff together in zip-close plastic bags or clear plastic bins. You’ll be glad you did.
1 Accident Survival Kit.
This is the stuff everyone needs in case you have an engine malfunction or an accident, whether kids are onboard or not.
Keep these in the glove compartment.
-- Auto manual
-- Auto membership club information and phone numbers
-- Gas cards
-- Insurance cards and information
-- Registration.
2 Bad-Hair Day Survival Kit.
Not really just for bad hair days, this survival kit is there for those days your makeup needs a touch-up or your hair needs help. Stash these items in a small bin:
-- Brush
-- Contact lens solution and case
-- Hair ties
-- Lint brush
-- Makeup kit
Along the same lines, keep a change of clothes for you and each of your kids inside.
Spills happen, so be prepared.
My friend Kimberli’s son wears a uniform to school. And at least once a month, he will get ink, milk, or some other goodie on his uniform between home and school (about 2 miles). No kidding! She packs an extra uniform for just that reason.
Don’t forget the just-in-case clothes and accessories:
umbrellas, rain ponchos, gloves and mufflers in the winter, walking shoes, sun hats and visors, sunglasses, jackets, and sweaters.
3 Boredom Survival Kit.
I get so cranky with parents who do not bring toys or games to amuse their small children in restaurants and other public places.
If you must bring toddlers to a nice restaurant or doctor’s office, at least keep them amused and quiet.
I pack activity kits for each kid. The kids can take the activity kits into restaurants, meetings, or even boring visits with mommy's friends and stay occupied.
That way, I can enjoy myself, too. The kits also keep kids happy both on short errands and long drives.
Good kid kits for little kids include:
-- Aluminum foil.
(Do you know how much art kids can make from this stuff? Think rings, crowns, and necklaces.)
-- Action figures, small dolls, or plastic animals.
(Bonus buy: A lot of them come in little kits designed to be portable. Choose these whenever possible.
I picked up a clear vinyl-like backpack filled with toy soldiers for my 4-year-old Payne recently. He takes them just about everywhere, including the grocery store.)
-- Coloring books.
-- Crayons.
-- Magnetic board games and wipe-clean games.
(These are great choices so pieces don’t get lost or bumped.)
Good kits for big kids include:
-- Books.
-- iPods and portable game players.
-- Deck of cards.
4 Fun Surprises for the Long Haul.
If it’s a long trip, consider buying each kid a new book, craft, or toy that will occupy him or her for a while.
Let each kid bring one plastic box or backpack full of personal stuff.
It’s a good idea also to bring a pillow for each kid to encourage naps.
And pack water bottles and healthy snacks that are minimal mess-makers such as frozen grapes, cereal o’s, fruit roll-ups, and juice boxes.
Summer brings with it important seasonal chores - such as cleaning the garage. What can you reasonably expect your child to do alone or help you with? The
garage chore guide by age
can help.
