Car
Trip Essentials
You're
off to the Grand Canyon
or to Grandma and Papa's. No
matter where you travel to in your car, we recommend bringing the
following items for a smooth, enjoyable trip.
MUST
HAVE:
ID or driver's license
Wallet
and/or purse and cash (sometimes we forget the most obvious
things)
Credit cards and/or traveler's checks
(plus list of numbers of both)
Car and house keys (plus duplicate sets
kept in different bags)
Medical
Insurance cards
Prescriptions and other medications
Eye glasses and/or
contacts (plus
lens cleaner)
Sunglasses
Watch
Maps, directions and reservation
confirmations
Camera and film
Books and magazines for kids and adults
Toys, playing cards, small games
Flashlight and batteries
Umbrella and rain jackets
Disposable wipes (or put damp paper towels
in zippered plastic bags)
Cooler with beverages (water is best) and
lunch items
Paper napkins/towels
Small backpack for child to carry own toys
and art supplies
Snacks (crackers, mini rice cakes, dry
cereal, dried fruit or nuts and the like) in small zippered
plastic bags
Paper, washable markers (crayons may melt
on a hot day) and clipboard or lap desk
Towels (in case of hot seats or spills)
Pillows
Snacks/gum
FOR
BABY:
Car seat
Diaper bag
Disposable diapers
Changing pad
Baby powder and lotion
Zippered plastic bags
Wet wipes
Nursing pads and burp pads
Bibs
Bottles, nipples and caps
Formula and/or juice
Pacifiers
Changes of clothing
Jacket or sweater
Collapsible stroller with canopy or
umbrella
Front or back child-carrying pack, or
sling style
Blankets
Waterproof sheets
Bathing supplies
Large plastic bags for wet clothes (can
also be used as a changing pad in a pinch)
NICE TO
HAVE:
Individually wrapped small toys
(new ones or old favorites) or activity bags to hand out at
intervals during the trip
Frisbee or ball for playing in grassy area
at rest stop
Music and books on tape (record your
child's favorite stories yourself)
Individual tape players and headphones
Window screens
Hand or finger puppets for entertaining at
restaurants
Portable playpen or crib
Portable high chair or booster seat
Magnetic travel games
Laminated U.S. maps for kids to mark off
license plates
Plane
Trip Essentials
Preparing
ahead of time for a plane trip with the kids can make all the
difference in having a comfortable, fun trip. Read on for our
suggestions for a happy flight. To include clothes and toiletries
for you and the kids, see the list for a weekend trip. As always, be sure to check with the airline and
airport for the latest information on packing guidelines and
flight preparation.
MUST
HAVE:
Small
folding stroller
Snacks for before and throughout flight:
small bags of dry cereal, raisins, grapes, cubes of cheese,
crackers and the like. Avoid overly-salty foods as air travel can
be dehydrating
Resealable bottles of juice or small juice
boxes (keep beverages and fruit in a soft insulated lunch bag)
Small, wrapped toy, or several to open at
intervals on a long flight
Activity bags with notepad, crayons,
reusable stickers, small toys or figures, finger puppets, small
books. Another option: introduce these items at intervals
Personal tape player with headphones and
cassettes (music and audio books)--will keep older kids
entertained for hours
Wet wipes
Carry-on bag with a change of clothing for
kids, toiletries, prescription medicines and anything else you
couldn't live a night without
JUST
FOR BABY:
Extra disposable diapers and
wipes (bring more on board than you think you'll need)
Car seat (recommended even for kids under
age 2 who are allowed to sit in parent's lap. You'll also probably
need it when you get where you are going)
Extra pacifiers, or secure to baby's
clothing so they don't end up under your seat
For bottle-fed babies, bring your own
milk, canned formula or bottled water for mixing powdered formula
(nursing or bottle-feeding during take off and landing will help
reduce pressure in baby's ears)
Blanket
Small soft toy, rattle, teething ring
and/or puppet
Wet wipes
Changing pad
Baby powder and lotion
Zippered plastic bags
Nursing pads and burp pads
Bibs
Bottles, nipples and caps
Formula and/or juice
Changes of clothing
Jacket or sweater
Collapsible stroller with canopy or
umbrella
Front or back child-carrying pack, or
sling style
Waterproof sheets
Bathing supplies
Large plastic bags for wet clothes (can
also be used as a changing pad in a pinch)
Travel
First Aid Kit
You
don't want to get caught on the road (or on a plane, train or bus)
without the right equipment in the case of an emergency, no matter
how small. Why not take along a travel first aid kit as a
precaution? We recommend packing the following items in an old
lunchbox.
MUST
HAVE:
Adult
aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Baby aspirin, acetaminophen or substitute
Dramamine
Antiseptic ointment
Anti-bacterial gel for
hand washing without
water
Insect repellent
Ointment for insect bites and sunburn
Ipecac
Sunscreen
Adhesive bandages in various sizes,
adhesive tape and gauze pads
Tissues
Pre-moistened towelettes (make your own by
putting paper towels in a weak solution of mild dish soap and
water)
Antihistamine or allergy medication
Anti-diarrhea
Antacid
Cough medicine and/or throat lozenges
Oral and rectal (for baby) thermometers
Petroleum jelly
Tweezers and needle (for removing
splinters)
Fingernail scissors
Antiseptic soap
Cotton balls and/or swabs
First aid book
Moleskin in case of blisters
Lotion for diaper rash
Teething medicine
Nasal aspirator for baby
Roadside
Emergency Kit
For
those of you planning a car trip, it's best to think like a Boy
Scout and be prepared. You can start by packing a roadside
emergency kit. You can find a complete, prepackaged kit online or
put together your own using our handy checklist below.
STANDARD
SUPPLIES
Auto
first aid kit
Two roadside flares
Jumper cables
Safety matches
Flashlight (with auto charger kit, if
possible)
Fresh batteries for the flashlight (check
every few months)
Triangular reflector
Thermal blanket(s)
Rain poncho and extra umbrella
Bottled water (especially if a long trip
is planned)
Wet wipes
ADDED
EXTRAS:
Multi-purpose
light that can operate as a flashlight, beacon light or reading
light
Small fire extinguisher
Packs of dried fruit, nuts or protein
bars, like Power Bars (pack day of trip)
Small hand shovel
Heavy-duty nylon rope
Tire chains (make sure they are legal in
the states where you will be traveling)
