Checklist for car journeys with the kids
Travelling by car with the kids gives you the opportunity to bring substantially more than is possible when flying. While you should still resist the urge to bring everything but the kitchen sink, you do have extra flexibility and here are suggested items for family car journeys or touring.
A fully packed day trip bag if you are travelling with a baby or toddler (see our checklist for daytrip/hand luggage)
Car seats or booster seats
Detachable sunscreens for rear windows
Tissues and wet wipes
A travel potty
A travel cot if you are staying overnight
No mess snacks and drinks
Water and favourite drinks
A blanket and pillows
Colouring books and crayons
Games to play at rest stops such as footballs and frisbees
Tapes, CDs or DVDs and audio books
MP3 player/Walkman with headsets in (ensure that they are fully charged and bring spare batteries)
Portable DVDs
A bottle and food warmer
A baby mobile to distract young babies
A stair guard if you are staying overnight
Lots of ideas for travel games (see our guide to entertaining the kids)
Books
In addition to the specific items to help you on the journey with the kids you should also have the following
Driver's licence
Car registration papers
Owner's manual
Insurance policy
Rental policy
Road tax stickers
Phone numbers for emergency breakdown service and the car rental company
Detailed maps of routes and directions
Sunglasses
An extra set of car keys
Coins for tolls
Mobile phone and in car Charger
Guide books
A large umbrella
Flashlight
You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday.
Sign up for our free newsletter to be kept updated with all of the latest special offers for family holidays and family travel news. Remember to enter our fantastic competitions which have super prizes and best of all are free.