Michigan Family Travel

The little-kid gear that makes family road trips easier, cleaner and considerably more comfortable.

Road trips with babies and toddlers require more stuff. There is simply no getting around it. But there is a difference between packing everything you might need and packing the things that actually make a long day in the car easier.

The goal is to keep the most useful items close at hand, rather than buried beneath suitcases in the trunk.

Start With a Back-Seat Kit

Keep one small tote or organizer accessible from the passenger seat. Stock it with diapers or pull-ups, wipes, changing supplies, tissues, hand sanitizer, plastic bags and an extra outfit.

Add a second change of clothes if you’re traveling with a baby. A washable wet bag is also useful for everything from soaked clothes to unexpected messes.

Make Snacks Easy to Manage

For toddlers, pack familiar foods in small portions rather than handing over an entire bag. Snack cups, reusable containers and an insulated lunch bag make it easier to dole things out throughout the drive.

Bring a refillable water bottle or cup your child already knows how to use. Road-trip day is probably not the time to discover that a brand-new cup leaks.

Bring a Few Strategic Distractions

You don’t need an entire toy box. Choose several quiet activities and rotate them.

Board books, Water Wow-style activity books, reusable sticker books, magnetic drawing boards and a few favorite small toys can buy surprising amounts of peaceful driving time. Keep one or two activities hidden until later in the trip so something still feels new.

Don’t Forget Comfort

A favorite stuffed animal or small blanket can make an unfamiliar travel day feel more normal. Window shades can help with glare, while a portable sound machine can be useful once you reach the hotel.

For babies, keep the car seat clear of aftermarket padding, head supports, bulky clothing and other accessories that didn’t come with or aren’t specifically approved for use with your seat. Follow the car-seat manufacturer’s instructions.

Pack for the Stops, Too

Think beyond the hours spent driving. A lightweight stroller or carrier, portable changing pad, picnic blanket and weather-appropriate layers make roadside stops much easier.

And build time into the itinerary to get out of the car. With babies and toddlers, a good road trip isn’t necessarily the one with the fewest stops. It’s the one where everyone arrives in reasonably good spirits.