Family Road Trip Packing Checklist

Before I pack for our vacation, I always write a trip packing checklist of what to bring on a family road trip. This way you focus on what you need to bring, especially the last minute items on the day of the departure like your child’s favourite plush toy.

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You must not forget the medicine gym bag that is packed with a first aid supply kit, over the counter medication for colds, allergies and pain, sunscreen and sunburn lotions. Can you tell that I am very organized (yes, I over do it)! I thought I would share my family road trip packing tips to help you prepare for your upcoming family vacation adventures.

Road Trip Packing Checklist

I always seem to bring everything except the kitchen sink when I go on a family trip, so it’s a good thing we have a Grand Caravan. I am probably not the only mom that does this, right? I bring a cooler for the beverages, another one for the snacks and one more for the breakfasts. I’m on vacation so I hate getting up early to have to go for breakfast before 9 am and the kids don’t mind because they eat in bed while watching TV. My husband and I really enjoy sleeping in while being on vacation. Now that’s a great trip!

VEHICLE

Make sure the vehicle is full of gas, it’s cleaned (who want to sit in a smelly car for 6 hours) and you have plenty of windshield washer fluid.

SNACKS

I avoid anything sticky, gooey or that may melt in the car (like chocolate). As a matter of fact, I don’t pack the sugar-loaded treats all together since they only trigger unwanted backseat bouncing. Fruits and veggies are a terrific choice and can be stored in individual containers or zipper bags so you each have your own. I would avoid bananas since they bruise easily. Peanut butter on crackers or a bagel, cereal and mixed nuts are my family’s favourites.

CLEAN UP

Bring small plastic grocery bags that you can attach to a door handle or I have a small plastic container on the floor of the van to dispose of snacks. A box of tissue, a roll of paper towels, sanitizer wipes and a bottle of hand sanitizer should be kept within arm’s reach. From spills, sticky hands to car sickness, you never know when they might come in handy.

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MOTHER NATURE

Let’s face it, when a boy says, “I have to go to the bathroom – now!” pulling off onto the side of the road isn’t that big of deal. But when a girl says it, and you can’t exit the highway until another 50 KM now that’s a different story. I recommend bringing, for the little ones in training pants, a little training potty, a tub of disinfecting wipes, toilet paper and a box of zipped bags.

ENTERTAINMENT

The famous words “Are we there yet?” Kids need to be entertained on the road. We bring along interactive games, flash cards, their favourite CD’s/DVD’s and new books or toys to pique their interest. We also play what I call travelling games like count how many black cars, cows or trucks you see on the road or what do you see that’s green?

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Packing Checklist

Some other things to check off your list might include a cell phone, a GPS and road maps. Give the tourism office of your destination a call or email and ask to mail you the events & activities brochure, hotel accommodations guide, map and coupons. Afterwards, as a family, you can decide what we would like to see. I also bring a list of addresses, phone numbers and maps of hotels & tourist attractions that we will be visiting with us.

• Passports (if travelling outside Canada)
• Updated maps or navigation system (When traveling, it’s worth it to upgrade to the latest software.)
• Small cooler for upfront and larger cooler in the back filled with refill items
• First-aid kit (with motion sickness relievers)
• Road-side emergency kit (including water bottles)
• Tricks and treats bag (new games, toys, snacks and any other magical distractions)
• Wet wipes, paper towels or napkins and a bottle of hand sanitizer
• Trash bags
• Flashlight
• Sunscreen & sunburn lotions
• Cell phone and DVD player charger
• Camera, video camera and batteries
• Pillows and Blankets
• Toilet paper
• Training potty (if you’re kids are in that stage)
• Laundry bag for dirty clothes
• Laundry detergent & stain remover
• Rolls of quarters (laundry, video games)

Don’t be like me, remember, even if you forget the sunscreen or anything else, you can always buy the item on your road trip. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy this special time as a family.

Have a great trip!

Photo credit: lyzadanger / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA