Planning a road trip with a baby or toddler can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re preparing for a long car ride. After multiple road trips (including an 8-hour drive to Disneyland with a 4-month-old!), I’ve learned exactly what road trip essentials for babies and toddlers are actually necessary — and what you can skip.
1. Drinks & Snacks
An essential for babies is of course breastmilk or formula, whichever you are feeding with. Making sure you have enough bottles or cups to last the road trip is also important, or bring along a travel bottle cleaner in case you need to wash one at a bathroom sink. For your toddler, be sure to bring spill proof sippy cups or water bottles to avoid big messes.
You can’t forget the road trip snacks, they are an essential for everyone! Be sure to bring some of things that you know are your toddler’s favorites so you don’t have to worry about them getting hungry. Some of my son’s favorites are: Perfect Bars, Cheddar Bunnies, and Bob Snail Fruit Snacks.
2. Activities
Bring along some age appropriate activities to keep your child busy in the car. Some of our favorites are: Crayola Mess Free coloring sets, busy books, and reusable sticker books. Whatever you end up bringing, be sure to not give your child everything at once. Try to keep things in rotation so they don’t get quickly bored everything only one hour into the trip.
I also recommend downloading some of their favorite music and relaxing, white noise for offline use. This way if you lose service, you will still be able to play them because chances are you will need it.
3. Motion Sickness Relief
My son occasionally suffers from motion sickness and now I won’t go on a long drive or road trip without Dramamine for kids on hand.
If you aren’t into using medications, then check out acupressure motion sickness relief bracelets. They work well and your child will think they are just fun to wear.
4. Extra Clothes & Clean Up Supplies
Even though I know you are going on a road trip and likely have your bags packed, be sure to have easy access to a clean set of clothes. This will make things easier so you aren’t going crazy looking through bags and suitcases. I also reccomend having some sort of laundry bag or even just an old shopping bag to put any dirty clothes in.
You will also want to make sure you have some items for cleaning up on any on the road messes. The Honest Company wipes are a lifesaver because they can be used to clean surfaces but also can be used to clean hands.
5. Positive Attitude & Realistic Expectations
Now before embarking on your roadtrip, mentally prepare for what could happen. Of course everything can go perfect without any issues but chances are there will be a minor hiccup or two along the way.
On our first drive home from Disneyland, my son became inconsolable in the evening for about 20 minutes. We tried everything; stopping and getting out of the car, feeding, holding his hand and just about every soothing idea possible. We finally realized he was just beyond tired so we turned on white noise (I told you it would come in handy!)
Road trips with babies and toddlers don’t have to be stressful. With the right essentials, realistic expectations, and a little flexibility, they can actually be some of your favorite family memories.
Save this post for your next trip and check out my full list of mom-approved travel favorites here.
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