If you’ve ever taken a road trip with kids, you know it’s not exactly a “kick back and relax” kind of vibe. Between snack requests, potty emergencies, and the endless chorus of “Are we there yet?”, there’s a lot going on. After many, many miles and solo drives with my crew, I’ve figured out which items are actually worth packing. These are the real MVPs—what I keep in my van at all times—because they make traveling with kids manageable, even fun.
Table of Contents
- 1. Foldable Portable Toilet for Kids
- 2. Women’s Pee Funnel for Emergency Stops
- 3. Disposable Barf Bags
- 4. Between-the-Seats Organizer
- 5. Headrest Tablet Holder
- 6. Multi-Port Car Charger with Retractable Cords
- 7. Windshield Phone Mount
- 8. Grippy Dashboard Mat
- 9. Backseat Baby Mirror
- 10. Sun Visor Tissue Holder
- 11. Magnetic Sunglasses Clip
- Final Thoughts on Traveling with Kids
- Quick List of Road Trip with Kids Essentials
- FAQ: Road Trip with Kids Essentials
1. Foldable Portable Toilet for Kids
Because Not Every Stop Has a Bathroom… or Time for One | This is my top road trip essential with kids. It folds flat, comes with a carry bag, and fits right in the back of the van. I just line it with a plastic bag and an opened diaper to soak up messes. When they’re done—tie and toss. No public bathroom chaos, no sprinting across gas station parking lots.
2. Women’s Pee Funnel for Emergency Stops
Because Not Every Stop Has a Bathroom… or Time for One | Not glamorous, but if you’ve been stuck on the side of a rural highway with toddlers in tow… you get it. This little funnel lets you go without squatting in the weeds or dragging everyone into a questionable bathroom. I stash mine in the glovebox and never road trip without it.
3. Disposable Barf Bags
Because Kids + Motion = A Risky Combo | Carsick kids are no joke. These leak-proof barf bags are compact and easy to grab fast. I keep them in the seat organizer (see below), and they’ve saved more than a few outfits.
4. Between-the-Seats Organizer
My Makeshift Center Console | Since my van doesn’t have a center console, I use this to hold everything: potty bags, chargers, snacks, tissues, barf bags, wipes—you name it. It keeps things accessible and cuts down on “Mom, where’s the…?” questions.
5. Headrest Tablet Holder
For Screen-Time Breaks | We keep screen time limited on road trips—hello audiobooks—but when it’s movie time, this tablet mount is a lifesaver. It clips to the headrest so kids can watch hands-free without devices sliding all over the place.
6. Multi-Port Car Charger with Retractable Cords
Because Cord Chaos Is Real | No more spaghetti cord chaos. This charger has multiple ports and retractable cords so the backseat isn’t a tangled mess. I plug it into the console and we’re good to go.
Here’s a quick video so you can see this awesome charger in action.
7. Windshield Phone Mount
The Best One I’ve Tried | Holds steady even on bumpy roads, doesn’t block my air vents, and has a gap at the bottom so I can still charge my phone. I love this one for solo drives or long-haul travel.
8. Grippy Dashboard Mat
Keeps Things From Sliding Everywhere | If you don’t have Bluetooth in your car (we use a little speaker), this mat keeps your phone or speaker from sliding across the dash. It grips everything and works surprisingly well.
9. Backseat Baby Mirror
A Must-Have for Rear-Facing Babies | Absolute must-have for any road trip with a rear-facing baby. It lets me glance up and check in without turning around. I use it every single day.
10. Sun Visor Tissue Holder
Because Messes Happen | Sticky fingers? Random nosebleeds? Spilled snacks? This keeps tissues right where I need them—no digging in the glovebox while driving.
11. Magnetic Sunglasses Clip
No More Glove Box Searching | I use this every day, not just on road trips. It clips to the visor and holds multiple pairs of sunglasses, so I’m never scrambling or breaking mine.
Final Thoughts on Traveling with Kids
Whether we’re heading across multiple states to visit Grandma or just doing a quick weekend trip with the kids, these road trip essentials have made all the difference for us. Some are practical, some are just sanity-savers—but every single one has earned its spot in our van. If you’ve got a favorite road trip hack, I’d love to hear it—drop it in the comments!
Quick List of Road Trip with Kids Essentials
Here’s a roundup of everything I mentioned above—easy to reference, shop, or save for later:
- Foldable Portable Toilet with Storage Bag
- Women’s Pee Funnel for Travel
- Disposable Barf Bags
- Between-the-Seats Car Organizer
- Tablet Holder for the Headrest
- Retractable Charging Cables + Multi-Port Charger
- Windshield Phone Mount
- Grippy Dashboard Mat
- Rear-Facing Car Seat Mirror
- Visor Tissue Holder
- Sunglasses Clip for the Visor
These items have been the best on our road trips between our old house in Omaha and the new one in St. Louis—gotta love Army life. I’ve got big plans for the new house and can’t wait to dive into all the DIY projects. Want a peek? I’ve got a full tour where I share the vision for each space, and I’ll be sharing the whole remodel over on Instagram. Be sure to follow along!
📌 Save These Road Trip Essentials for Later
Need these ideas for your next big adventure? Save this pin to your Family Travel or Road Trip Tips board so you’ve got it handy when it’s time to pack up the car!
FAQ: Road Trip with Kids Essentials
Pack items that keep kids clean, fed, entertained, and calm—like barf bags, snack containers, a tablet holder, tissue box, and a portable toilet. Convenience is key!
We mix things up with audiobooks, music, road trip games, snacks, and a few episodes of a favorite show with the tablet mount. A change every hour or two helps.
Plan ahead: use disposable bags, keep wipes and tissues within reach, and have a backseat mirror to monitor younger kids. I also always bring a barf bag… just in case.
YES. It’s saved us so many times on long drives. You don’t have to wake sleeping siblings or find a gas station every time someone has to go.
