If you are a mom, you know that it is important to be prepared. Prepared for what? Anything and everything! When raising children, you have to be prepared for any circumstance even when traveling in the car. Have you ever gotten a flat tire and had to keep your kids entertained and happy until help arrived? Have you ever been driving when your son says he doesn’t feel good and you look in the rearview mirror just in time to see him vomit all over? Have you ever been stuck in a traffic jam at dinner time with two very hungry children? You have probably been faced with one of these situations or something similar if you are a parent. Having a Mom’s Roadside Emergency Kit will help solve emergency situations that can happen while traveling with your children in the car.
10 Essential Items for Mom’s Roadside Emergency Kit:
1. Paper Towel → to clean up messes or spills
2. Plastic Bags → for garbage or to hold wet and dirty clothes
3. First Aid Kit → for any cuts or scratches that kids might get while in the car or traveling
4. Extra Clothes → for any spills or accidents
5. Snacks → pack non-perishable treats for hungry kids (and mom)
6. Water → for thirsty children or to rinse off things such as muddy shoes
7. Baby Wipes or Wet Wipes → to clean-up spills or messes when you need more than just a paper towel
8. Blanket → to keep children warm or to sit on if you have wait outside the car for help
9. Activities for the Kids → such as a Doodle Pro or a Reusable Sticker Pad to keep kids happy and entertained
10. Scissors → to open up snacks, cut tags out of shirts, or cut straws so it is easier for children to drink
Click on the link or picture above for a free printable checklist.
Raising children can be unpredictable. Be better prepared for those unpredictable moments that happen while traveling in a car by having a Mom’s Roadside Emergency Kit.
What would you have in your Mom’s Roadside Emergency Kit?
What a great list! Even though my kids are not little anymore (teenagers now) I still keep certain things in the car – wipes, trash bags, snacks and bottled water are the main ones. It never fails that we get delayed somewhere and someone is hungry 🙂
Love for you to come by and share this post over at Simply Inspired Wednesday’s @ SimplifiedLife.net
~Victoria
Thanks! It never hurts to be prepared!
These are all great items to include! Thanks for linking up at Women With Intention Wednesdays. Sharing on G+ 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
I have a lot of these same items in my hideaway spot of my trunk. I keep a blanket, too, in case I ever need it. I also have a flashlight and a small battery operated radio. Now I just sound paranoid. haha
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Mondays!
I need to get a battery operated radio. That’s a great idea!
I’m not a mom but you definitely sound prepared!
Thanks! I’ve always had an emergency kit in my car even before I was a mom. You never know when you are going to get stuck in a snow storm or break down on the side of the road.
I am printing this list out as we speak, lol. These are always the things you wish you would have and never thought to pack. You should sell a kit like this on etsy, I’d definitely buy it. Just make sure the snacks were delicious. 😉
Delicious snacks are definitely a must have item! You never know when you are going to be stuck in traffic with hungry children. Thanks for printing the list. Hope it helps!
This is a great list of items. I need to make up one of these four our car, with four children and one with special needs I need to make sure I have snacks in the car and at least one fully charged electronic device.
Electronic devices definitely come in handy too. We always have apps on our phones or tablets that the children can play if we are stuck for a long period of time.
Great list!! I have been putting some of those items in our car because like you said, you never know when someone might get sick or be thirsty/hungry. I think we still have a small pair of children’s scissors in our car glove box but at one time we did. I have car chargers for our cell phones because it always seems like the batteries want to die at the worst times on your phone. Window clings to block at the sun of the little ones eyes but that is not an emergency but it would be nice if you were stuck in traffic on a very hot day. I like in your picture how everything was in a big plastic ziplock so it was compact. I am type 1 diabetic and have been since age 6 but when I got my first car, my parents always made me have a box of snacks in the car just in case my blood sugar got low. You never know when someone else may need something like that!
I have a window cling in my car for my baby too. Those are great for blocking the sun especially if you are stuck in traffic.
This is a great list! When my kids were small I would joking tell people that if we were ever stranded in the car we could live out of the diaper bag for several days. I strongly believe in always being prepared for emergencies.
This is a smart list! I find that I can never have enough snacks in the car but having a blanket and change of clothes, even for the grade school kids, is helpful. I have friends in CA, who must be prepared for earthquakes and keep such things in their car in the event of that.
What I would love for someone to invent is a cart or method of getting all the bags in from the car after school and activities. Sure the kids can carry their stuff, but there are always more bags than hands! And how many of us moms make three trips in and out to the car! LOL. I am seriously thinking of using my children’s wagon to transport. Best, Sarah, aka, The Educated Mom.
What a fabulous idea to create the roadside baby pack, love the big ziplocks, there great to keep everything clean. If I might suggest, bottled water needs to be switched out, as the heat can cause the polymers to be released into the water which is a dangerous health problem. Even if they say that the plastic is safe, it still can happen.
Be safe in your travels!
Great idea! I usually have the baby’s diaper bag and the toddler’s backpack with me when we travel which have a few of these items in it such as wipes, but I need to have a bag that stays in the car like this kit. You have inspired me to finally get one together.
I don’t have kids and I remember the first time I saw a car kit for moms, I was stunned. I would have never thought of replacement clothing. I have dogs, the only thing in our car are poop bags, leashes, and a car seat cover. When the weather warms up, I’ll also have bottles of water. After reading this, I feel like I need to give my kit a second look – LOL. I definitely should have first aid in there too.
I would include a white cloth in case you need to leave your vehicle. It’s a sign to police officers that your car has broken down and you will be returning for it.
Great photo of mom and baby, and I love your tips! As a mom of four more then once we have ended up at an important event without diapers or extra clothes. Usually we have to leave and get the necessities! Or the kid ends up going half naked for the rest of the occasion 😉
It never occurred to me to have this kit in our car, but I definitely will take what’s on you list and add up a soothing scented oil for drowsiness on long trips. Thank you for reminding me that having a road emergency kit is a must.
Great ideas! I always try to have napkins and wet wipes around, and we definitely keep a blanket. I also keep straws in the car. It seems like some places never want to give a straw with the chocolate milk, or even a water bottle, and my kids are of an age where they just aren’t the greatest with drinking from a regular bottle.
Thanks for these tips! This was definitely an eye-opener that I need to be a lot more prepared. We’re taking a day trip to the coast tomorrow so I’ll make this a priority tonight.
Great list. We also have a reflective heat blanket and a phone charger.
(For winter driving, a winter survival kit is good – just a few weeks ago here there were people stuck on the highway for many hours.)
A heat blanket is a great idea. I definitely need to get one. My husband slid off the road last year and had to wait several hours for a tow truck.
Hello from Blogelina! You have compiled a very complete list; traveling with kids can be messy! The only addition I can think of would be anti-bacterial lotion or gel. We used to keep some small video games in the car so that they would only be used on long road trips. I do believe our cars eventually turn into homes on wheels! 😀
I feel like my car is a house on wheels too! Anti-bacterial gel is a great idea. Thanks for your comment.
This list needs to be given to every new mum so she is prepared!!!
Thanks for your comment! That’s a great idea!
I applaud you for being proactive in case of a roadside emergency. Although I do not have small children anymore, I do have grandchildren. Plus, a roadside emergency kit is a good idea for anyone, not just children. Some of the items may just be a little different.
Putting one of these kits together for my daughter and her children would make a nice gift. Maybe I’ll put one together for her.
Whether the kit is for someone with children or without children, I would be sure to add a flashlight. Also, for people in snowy areas, I’ve heard of carrying kitty litter for when your car gets stuck and needs traction. For what it’s worth, it might also be good to have an emergency contact list in case you or your children need help and are unable to communicate the necessary information.
Most of these are awesome to have in your car even if you don’t have little ones. If you’re bringing plastic bags, I recommend including some gallon-sized zipper bags. If anyone gets car sick, they are a lifesaver because you can seal the bag back up until you get to a place where you can throw it out.
Great list….I was actually thinking of making a boot bag for the essentials.
Oooooh! Nice Idea! I never thought of creating a Mom’s roadside emergency kit, but I will now! This is such a great idea!
I love this! This is great to have for ANY car (apart from the kid activities). There’s a ton of times when a paper towel comes in handy!
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been caught out on a journey without spare clothes/wet wipes/drinks. We all like to think we’re super organised as mums but it’s so easy to forget the one thing you’re going to need.
i think your list looks pretty complete! Can’t think of anything to add except maybe a toy to keep kiddos entertained. My son has a blanket that we absolutely CANNOT leave home without!
I agree. My children always have books and toys in the car.
I laughed at the what could happen. Yep that sums it up. Everything and anything that could happen probably has. Living in extremely cold weather for (what feels like never ending months) baby wipes freeze while sitting in my car. I have found that keeping them in the glovebox helps. Water is always a must! One idea I would like to offer is while potty training has a portable potty. Never know when those little ones need to “go”. We have pulled over to use the litty potty several times. It saved having to completely clean the carseat.
A portable potty is a great idea! We always carry the seat or seat covers with us but not the actual potty.
I don’t have children of my own yet, but I have a similar roadside kit I keep in my car! (Does that mean I’m ready to be a mom?) I like to be prepared for anything, and many of these are also great to have even if you don’t have kids!
I agree, everyone should have an emergency kit in their car.
This is a wonderful post. I agree, we must be prepared. My husband & kids have given me a hard time for all of the “extra’s” that I keep in my console, but at least I am prepared if needed.
My husband wonders why my bag is so full but you never know what you will need when traveling with kids.
My kids are adults now and I have a granddaughter but this is a great thing to have in the car. I need to do something similar to this for my granddaughter should we ever encounter a roadside emergency.
Preparing a kit for when you are traveling with your granddaughter is a great idea!
I always keep a blanket, a jacket and a gallon of water in my trunk for emergancies.
It never hurts to be prepared for emergencies!
What a great way to get organised. We’re always forgetting something or put it in the boot, then as soon as we start the car, the kids need it 😉
Thanks! Emergency kits definitely come in handy when traveling with kids!
Great list of supplies for all ages! While my children are grown and driving their own cars, I put together a similar kit for their cars!
That’s great that you prepare emergency kits for your kids’ cars!
I don’t have children, but in my car you will find 4 emergency kits. The first is my kit, little extras of things like wipes, sunscreen, etc. The 2nd is my emergency roadside kit, that has car essential stuff. The 3rd is a 72 hour kit that has water, emergency food, blankets, etc. The last is my Pup Kit, that contains emergency essentials for my dog Riley. I had all this in the trunk of my car, and recently since I bought a new truck I have had to become a little creative on storing it in the truck 🙂
Sounds like you are prepared! That’s great that you have a kit for your dog too.
Your 10 Essential Items list is welcome. I will do my best to put a kit together. I have some food, candles, and basic first aid now…but I see I’m still not prepared!
-Kim
Candles are a great idea if you break down at night!
When you have kids, you spend a lot of time in the car together. I like to bring books for the kids to look at, as well as audio children’s music and books. Spent lots of fun singing Raffi songs with them when we are stuck in traffic!
My children love Raffi too!
That is such a great idea. I have a reflective vest that is a great piece of mind if the roadside emergency is at night.
A reflective vest is a great idea!
Great post!! I have learned this with my 2 year old daughter, I wish I could see this post before. lol
Thanks! This emergency kit comes in handy with children at any age.
I love everything in that list! I don’t pack food though and leave it. I’ve had dead mice in the car before and it was so gross.
That would be gross! I make sure the snacks I pack are wrapped and then sealed in a bag too.
Love this list. Thank you! I am bookmarking this.
Thank you! Hope it comes in handy!
I don’t have kids yet, but this will definitely come in handy! It’s so true – you never know what kind of emergency you might encounter, so better be prepared! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Emergency kits are important to have even if you don’t have kids. I’ve been stuck in snow and broken down a few times.
One of the things I learned when we had two kids under 18 months was to keep a bag with everything we might need when we’re out, fully stocked in the back of the truck. Not only was this useful for emergency situations but it was great when you were in a hurry to get out of the house and get to your destination only to discover you had on diapers in your changing bag!
That’s a great idea! Whenever we get home, I always repack the diaper bag so it is ready just in case we need to run out the door.
This was really helpful! We are about to have our first child and summer is brutal in Phoenix, so I think that this is a smart idea. I pinned it! 🙂
Thanks for pinning! We always get a lot of snow so I like to be prepared just in case I get stuck. I bet the summers can be brutal in Phoenix.
Thanks! I should starting carrying this around for myself! My emergency kit consists of a hairbrush and some paracetamol so far!
A hairbrush can be very important!
I have found myself in the position more than once of needing something, and realizing I don’t have it. I have to get my emergency kit together after reading this!
I didn’t realize I needed an emergency kit till I need one too.
Another thing I keep my my car kit is a small first aid kit. It has some Neosporin, band aids, and gauze just in case there are any playground accidents!
A first aid kit is very important!
thank you!! love the emergency kit. I have three..
That’s great that you are prepared!
I love this idea! I usually stash extra napkins and plastic ware in my glove compartment. My daughter is 2 so I usually keep the pull-ups/clothes/etc in her diaper bag. I don’t have any organization otherwise: a roll of paper towels and a pile of toys reside on the back floorboard of my truck… typically. An actual kit = very good idea.
I also intend to get together a homeopathic medicine kit for the truck. Humbled Homemaker has a good list that I plan to follow with my own tweaks. 🙂
A medicine kit is a great idea!
Very true, you never know when something might happen. Being a mom of five I know firsthand the importance of an emergency kit and being prepared. I had three toddlers at once and it does come in handy. Thank you for the tips!
Wow! 3 toddlers at one time! You do need to be prepared for anything!