Best family-friendly vacation destinations of 2024, per experts
The 22 Best Items To Pack For A Family Road Trip
Road trips are a rite of passage for many families. Whether long or short, the car's trunk has plenty of room to stash lots of stuff without the pressure of weighing luggage or fitting into a carry-on bag. As the mom to three kids, we love road trips—both short, impromptu day trips and longer journeys for extended vacations. While the car provides ample room, it's helpful to have a strategy for packing and entertainment, like quiet games, music and other items that help pass the time.
We've rounded up the best gear to pack for your next family road trip.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: RetailersTo find the best gear for a family road trip, I spoke to other seasoned parents and took into account my experience from countless trips with my family. We considered major categories like travel items, entertainment, snacks, storage and supplies, and have shared our favorites below.
When planning your road trip, also consider creating music playlists (a perfect task for a tween or teen), brushing up on the rules of 20 Questions or other car games, researching playgrounds or fun destinations along your route, and preparing for an adventure. Just don't ask, "Are we there yet?"
Amazon
BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light
If your baby doesn't sleep well, there's a good chance no one will sleep well. Pack this easy-to-set-up travel crib from Baby Bjorn and give yourself the peace of mind of having a safe and comfortable spot for your baby to sleep. Our favorite travel crib, we love that it's super easy to pack and unpack. The entire travel crib weighs just 11 pounds and neatly packs into a flat bag with handles, so it can compactly fit in your car trunk.
Amazon
Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier
Bring a baby carrier even if you're heading out for a quick day trip and want to ditch the stroller. This well-reviewed Ergobaby pick can carry kiddos from 7 to 45 pounds, and tops our list of the best baby carriers. There are four positions to hold the baby, and the carrier is easily adjustable, making it comfortable for any adult in your group to carry the kid.
Baby carriers have been my saviors on beach days, hiking and places like apple picking, where a stroller would be a huge hassle. Still, without a carrier, I would have never been able to hold my baby for hours or have her take a cozy carrier nap.
A good night's sleep is so crucial for everyone in the family. My family loves this white noise machine; it's a constant staple in my daughter's travel backpack for any trip. It may have been our family savior on a recent trip to Disney World, where all five of us slept in the same hotel room. I love that it's compact but powerful. There are seven soothing sounds, and the machine doubles as a nightlight. It charges via a UBC cord, so as long as you keep it charged, it can also function as an on-the-go machine.
Amazon
Veer All-Terrain Cruiser
Lightweight and durable, adding this all-terrain cruiser to your arsenal is an investment, but if you're a family with two young kids, this can be a game-changer. Double strollers are big and bulky, this stroller wagon allows for lots of versatility—there are two (or four) three-point harnesses, snack trays, hidden pockets and many add-ons like a car seat carrier. That's just a few of the reason it's our top stroller wagon overall.
The cruiser works in both push and pull mode and, thanks to the all-terrain tires, moves seamlessly over sand, grass, bumpy fields, or anywhere else. There's also a city version. My kids are now too old to fit, but I love the versatility that this provides—it can hold plenty of gear and your kiddos. For a road trip, it folds flat and weighs 32 pounds.
Fill these scented water pens with a bit of water, and you've got a mess-free distraction that's fun and interactive. We love that these are easy to use–perfect for a car ride. Thanks to the technology, once the image dries, it can be used repeatedly. The set comes with a two-pack, perfect for siblings, friends or an extra to have on hand.
For kids who love imaginative play, this take-along theater set is a lovely idea that provides hours of fun both in the car and at your destination. The portable storage case doubles as a theater, with removable scene screens. There are also figures and accessories, so your kiddo can set up all kinds of plays while cruising along in the back seat.
Lightweight, affordable and fun, these interactive seek-and-find games are handheld scavenger hunts and fidget toys all rolled into one. Each character features 25 items hidden within the body of the plush, and the included card shows kids all the items they need to find. Not only does this help pass the time, but it also helps develop fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, letter recognition, attention and object recognition. Choose from 12 unique characters.
Amazon
Yoto Player Kids Bluetooth Speaker
A fantastic addition to a kid's arsenal, the Yoto Player is an engaging gadget that's tons of fun. Simply pop a Yoto audiobook card into the player and listen to music, stories, books and educational content. There's an interactive pixel display with images that correspond to the story. Additionally, the player functions to play sleep sounds, as a bedtime storyteller with a nightlight, an alarm clock with an okay-to-wake function, a room thermometer and more.
All of the content is kid-friendly and with a headphone jack and 24-hour run time from one charge, this is a nifty gadget. My 7-year-old daughter listens to her Yoto every night. She brought it along on a recent trip, popped her headphones in, and listened to a whole book.
Amazon
Dot It! Sticker Art For Kids
We love no-mess activities for the car, so this Dot It sticker activity is perfect—it takes just enough focus to keep kids busy but can be done in the car. Kids peel and place the stickers using colorful backgrounds to complete the images. This is fun, and the activity boosts imagination and fine motor skills. There are seven unique designs, which are great for kids 3 to 8 years old.
Amazon
Skillmatics Guess In 10 Card Game
Portable and travel-friendly, the whole family can play this fun game in the car. Divide into teams—you'll get to ask up to 10 questions to guess the state on the game card. Your kids can have fun while learning something, too. If the United States of America isn't your jam, many other versions exist, including Disney, cities, and more. The Disney version kept my crew happy while we waited in line at Disney World.
Amazon
Rubik's Coach Cube
Celebrating 50 years of existence, the Rubik's cube is an interactive puzzle that stumps many people. Use a long car ride to engage with the cube in a new way—the cube coaches kids (and adults) to learn how to solve the puzzling cube. Reviewers say the instructions and method for removing stickers on the cube are clear and easy to understand. This is a fun twist for older kids who are up for a challenge.
With 144 pages of road trip-ready activities, this book will keep kids in the backseat very busy. There's a great mix of quiet activities for kids to do alone and interactive games that involve the whole family. We love Highlights as a trusted source for safe, smart and engaging books and magazines for kids, so we like that this book comes from a reputable publisher. It's best for 7-year-old kids and up, but can involve a car full of people.
Amazon
Bumpas Weighted Plush Toy
Think of these unique weighted plush toys as a combination of a stuffed animal and a weighted blanket. The adorable creatures are made for kids with soft, cozy fabric and plush stuffing. They weigh just over 2 pounds, so they provide some soothing comfort, especially for kids with sensory issues. We love that no matter which of the seven unique characters you choose, each has long arms to hug. These are cozy for a car ride (when you don't have to worry about carrying extra weight on an airplane), and they can double as a pillow or a soft plush to snuggle on a nap.
Amazon
Rainbow Loom Beadmoji Mini Combo Kit
Whether your kiddo is a rainbow loom maven or a newbie, this mini combo set is the perfect addition to any road trip. It includes over 250 unique beads with cute images and over a thousand rubber bands of various colors. The set all packs into its own portable storage case, so it's easy to pack and neatly store the beads and finished creations.
Packing a meal or snacks ahead of time on a road trip eliminates the need for multiple stops, saving time and money. We love this portable bento box because it's large and made for bigger kids and bigger appetites. There's room for eight and a half cups of food, with one large enough compartment to hold a big sandwich. The outer material is a silicone stretch, so you can even fit a whole apple into the box. There are 12 colorways, so there's a good chance you can find an option that your kiddo likes.
Amazon
Rtic Soft Cooler (20 Can)
We all know kids get hungry, and snacks are a great distraction. Keep snacks, drinks, breastmilk or anything else nice and cold with this top-rated soft-side cooler. Lightweight and durable, we love that the waterproof zippered top has a wide opening. You'll have a full view of the insides of the cooler and won't have to go digging around mindlessly looking for that one special snack. Available in 12 colorways, this cooler has two tote handles and one larger shoulder strap. It's easy to tote around and is helpful in all kinds of situations beyond your road trip.
Amazon
Gimme Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks
It's not always easy to find a healthy, portable snack that's doesn't need to be refrigerated and is tasty. Look no further than these roasted seaweed snacks, which we like because they suit a wide range of dietary needs, from vegan to gluten-free. A single pack is loaded with fiber, vitamins and nutrients. Throw a few packs in your car and hand them out when you need a yummy diversion.
These juice bottles are adorable, practical and less precious than a sippy cup. The spill-proof bottles come with a wide range of juices, don't need to be refrigerated and are made without any added sugar. The bottles are reusable once the juice is gone, so your kiddo can use them repeatedly on the road trip. However, unlike a sippy cup, you won't be heartbroken if they get tossed or lost.
If your family is anything like mine, keeping all the family headphones, cords and chargers in a neat and organized spot is challenging, and a person sitting shotgun doubles as tech support. Keep all those cords stashed with this double-layer bag. We love the mesh pockets, which make it easy to spot what you need, while the built-in elastic straps keep all the cords neatly contained.
Even if you pack a giant bag of gear for your road trip, we recommend a small belted bag to keep the essentials–keys, wallet, phone and anything else. This way, if you need to head into a rest stop, check into a hotel, or do anything else, you can quickly hop out of the car without digging for your most important stuff. Since this one is affordable and neutral, it's an excellent option for a teen or tween who might bring their own device and allowance on a road trip.
For more for choices (including splurge-worthy picks for parents), check out our list of the best crossbody bags.
Amazon
Huggies Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes
If you have kiddos still in diapers, you know wipes are essential. Even if you're way past the diapering stage, I still recommend keeping a resealable pack of baby wipes in your car at all times, especially on a road trip. They're so helpful for cleaning messy faces and sticky hands and can even be used as their original intention—a wipe. Add a pack to your car, and you won't regret it.
For under $40, you'll have peace of mind knowing you have a slew of essentials to help you and your family in an auto emergency. While jumper cables take up the bulk of the kit, you'll also be stocked with many supplies, including a tool kit, first aid supplies, a safety hammer, a tire pressure gauge, a reflective vest and so much more. Store this in your trunk, and hope you never have to use it.
At Forbes Vetted, we've researched, tested and written about a wide range of baby and kids' gear. We offer intelligent shopping advice and thoughtful reviews.
I Tried The Packing Technique A Data Scientist Swears By
I'm the person who always forgets something on vacation. Sometimes I have to find the nearest convenient store to get deodorant, and other times I have to mooch toothpaste off of whomever I'm vacationing with. (If this isn't my beige flag, I don't know what is.)
But the reason I always forget things is because I'm a procrastinator. As excited as I am to go on vacation, I normally don't pack for a trip until the morning of. Sure, I might make a list of things I need in my phone's Notes tab; I may even come up with some travel outfit ideas in my mind ahead of time. But the packing itself happens at the last minute possible.
Recently, I went on vacation to Florida with my family, and in an effort to not be roasted the entire trip for forgetting something "like I always do," I attempted a viral spreadsheet packing technique circulating on TikTok. Although it felt like work in the worst way possible, I can confidently say I didn't forget a single item.
What Is the Spreadsheet Packing Technique?
Luke Scarpino went viral on TikTok when he shared his unique packing method. In the TikTok, which has accumulated more than 1.5 million likes, the data scientist shares a glimpse of a tracking spreadsheet he uses. It includes three columns: "bag," "item," and "packed."
In these columns, he lists the items he wants to bring, and also indicates which bag he would like to pack the items into. When those items are packed, he checks off the box in the "packed" category. On the spreadsheet, he also includes a table that shows what percentage of each bag is packed. "Everyone makes fun of me for how I pack, but I think I'm just organized," Scarpino says in the TikTok.
My Experience Trying the Viral Spreadsheet Packing Technique
In an attempt to be on top of my game, I started working on my spreadsheet a week before my flight. Because it was a trip to the beach in Florida, I wrote down my must-haves: a bathing suit, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Then, I listed off basic toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, morning moisturizer, night-time moisturizer, deodorant, etc.).
Once I had the necessities down, I thought of every additional item I could possibly want and put it in my spreadsheet. This was random stuff, like a water bottle, an iPhone charger, and my AirPods. When I couldn't think of anything else, I put away my spreadsheet.
A few hours later, I remembered that I needed to pack my meds, so I added that to the list. A couple of days later, I remembered to add my hair dryer and makeup to the list as well. By allowing myself a week of thinking about what I wanted to pack, I ensured I didn't miss a thing.
Once I had every item I wanted to pack listed by day three, it was time to sort the items into the bags I wanted them to go in. This was the part where I started to think this "hack" felt more like work.
Because the trip to Florida was short and with my family, I didn't bring a lot of luggage — it was only my checked bag, a purse, and my Lululemon belt bag. Once I started sorting the items into the bag category that made the most sense, it felt unnecessary. I could easily visualize which item would go in which bag without indicating it on the spreadsheet, but I did it anyway for the purpose of the experiment. When I was finished, I put away the spreadsheet.
The night before my trip, I pulled out my spreadsheet and all of my empty bags and started packing. I finished in 10 minutes, the shortest amount of time I've ever spent packing. I felt confident that I had all of the items I needed.
When I was officially done packing and ready for my trip, I neglected the rest of the spreadsheet. No offense to the strategy, but I knew I didn't need to mark every item as "packed" — and I certainly didn't need to include the percentage of bag that was packed. I was already mentally in Florida by that point.
The Verdict
I love organization, but this packing spreadsheet hack wasn't much of a "hack" at all. While it definitely prevented me from forgetting anything, it took way too much time and effort. It felt like making a to-do list instead of just doing what you already know you have to do.
I could see how the "bag" column could be helpful, especially if you're going on a long trip or flying internationally. It allows you to keep track of where everything is located, after all. But for most trips, it's not necessary — and the "percent packed" section is definitely not necessary for anyone but a data scientist.
The most helpful part of the spreadsheet for me was taking the time to list every item to pack, but I don't need to make a spreadsheet for that. In the future, I'll just start creating a list in my Notes tab earlier than I did before. Maybe I'll also start packing earlier than the morning of the trip, but I'm not betting on myself. Once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator.
Taylor Andrews is a balance editor at PS who specializes in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, and more. In her six years working in editorial, she's written about how semen is digested, why sex aftercare is the move, and how the overturn of Roe killed situationships.
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