So you’re going on a road trip
Taking a family on a couple of road trips at this point has taught us a couple things. While we are a bit unique with 3 kids-one with non verbal autism and a service dog many of the tips, tricks, and organizational ideas we’ve learned along the way should be helpful to many!
All the planning information, (commissionable) links, and Instagram Reels are noted.
Packing
The List
Road Trip Planning & Packing List
Planning (confirmations, accommodations) and packing for a road trip with kids (+ special needs). Go through the checklist making sure you have it all planned as well as packed–best you can. {Commissioned} Links in document for our choices in products. This is a digital product for download, no product will be sent.
Packing suitcases
📝 Wash Laundry by person, fold by person
📝 Pack by person
📝 Unders box = underwear, socks, swim (cover), pjs, pull-ups
📝 Tops Long sleeve to short sleeve/tanks
📝 Bottoms Long pants to shorts
📝 Bring it to the car by person
📝 Use the suitcases as drawers by pulling out unders box as a little file system
- These suitcases being on wheels and color coordinated worked amazing.
- We loved having the under boxes vs packing cubes to give them hard sides.
Essentials – 4 Always bags
All the other essentials: Sleep bag, Emergency & extras bag, rain bag & swim bag
💼 Usually stocked & stored stocked for all trips including cottage weekends-prepacked for grab & go each trip
These were amazing. It was great at the mid-way hotel to have the swim bag, sleep bag, and midway bag be all we needed. We could be prepared with the rain bag but left it in the truck unless we needed it. – We did.
Highly recommend a BOGG bag for the beach if you are road tripping. They stand up, they are easy to clean, and they are great at keeping a lot of the beach stuff together pre-packed and through out.
@stayathomezookeeper #gifted Packing to fly somewhere warm so we are in need of a beach bag. We have beach bags we love, but the straps are hard to work with and they don't pack well. When @Case-Mate gifted us these travel totes, we knew we scored. Still fit everything, but have a waterproof phone case you can detach at either end, the straps are comfy, they have a shoulder strap, zip shut and fold flat to get to the destination without sacrificing all the space. This is a travel SCORE! #stayathomezookeeper #flyingwithkids ♬ original sound – stayathomezookeeper
Midway Bag
🗺️ We’re breaking the trip up into 2 chunks on the way there so packing a midway bag.
🧳 just the basics, one of everything for the night. No need to pull all the suitcases.
- Was super helpful – very convenient when we got there.
- One problem was swim wear did not have time to dry. It was packed back in the suitcase and it got the other clothes – some of which were not dirty but were to be worn again such as sweaters, swim covers, etc damp. I would also pack a wet bag for just the swim suits next time.
- One other hang up was weather that midway bag needed to come to final hotel–did we want to reuse the swim cover, sandals, etc that were in there. Great if you plan on just having thing you will not need again the rest of the trip in it.
Packing the Car for Emergencies/Back up
First Aid = Keep>Going First aid Super kit lives in the car and the smaller Go Kit comes and goes in each bag as we go to all the little places.
Sickness = Shoe & Spew, Wipes, Training/Incontinence pads, Bags
Shoe & Spew
Wipes
Training/Incontinence pads
Bags
Back Up Bin = JUST incase
Activities & Entertainment
Toy Backpack
I wasn’t going to have them pack much else besides their activity bin for the car-but last minute my husband suggested toys they could play with in the hotel room and at my dad’s house. We decided each kid could have ONE BACKPACK they could fill but THEY HAD TO CARRY IT. It actually worked out great and I am so glad they had fun things like their dolls, games, and walkie talkies.
Sleeping in the car
😴 Each Kid had 1 lap blanket they love (called nuggle nuggles) & Nolan his big Minky Couture
😴 eye masks for the little 2 kids
- If planning again, all 3 kids would have bigger blankets. They wanted some curled up by head as a pillow while being fully covered. It was cooler in the truck due to dad staying away driving overnight and they wanted to be snuggled in closer. They would all need a minky couture sized blanket.
- The kids wanted the eye masks at the start but neither ended up using them.
- I would have their same sound machine sounds available
- Bryce really wanted his feet up and became frustrated when dozing off. I wish there was a way to stack up things or have something on the seat back for him to get feet up higher.
- I only wanted my pillow up with me when we were driving through the night, on the day trip I wanted it out of the way so we put it in the back.
- NEW Matching Pjs wasn’t essential, but was really cute at the last dinner stop. They also thought it was cool and were super excited about both the matching and going to bed in new PJs
Technology Time/Tracker
We did not want to give our kids unlimited technology time. While it makes the drive MUCH easier, it makes them much harder to deal with when they get there.
On weekends and summer days (after learning time) they get 1 hour of technology time. So they each got to start with 1 hour of technology time. They lost minutes for poor behavior but could earn more along the way. Lost minutes were usually in 2 minute increments and it started the night before the trip. I kept track on the tech tracker I made and kept in a dry erase pocket in the space between seats to update at any time.
LOST minutes for:
- arguing with us
- arguing/fighting with each other
- not doing their responsibilities (pick up own garbage, close the door, go to the bathroom and get in the car, get all the shoes off the stairs, etc)
EARNED minutes for:
- Reading 20 minutes = 10 minutes of tech time
- Doing some thing educational (including completing alphabet game we made-we had in a dry erase pocket so they could play more than once)
- NOT saying MOM or DAD 20 minutes = 10 minutes of tech time (survival man)
- Going above and beyond being helpful was earned minutes
Road Trip Tech Time Tracker & Alphabet Game
Keep track of how much tech time they have to use and how much they have “spent.” We lose minutes for fighting/rude/etc. They can earn minutes by reading, doing something educational, and other various helpful tasks.
Spend some time playing a non-technology alphabet search game. You can make the rules to search in order or anything that starts with that letter can be written. Laminate before you go or get dry erase pockets to do more than once!
DIGITAL PRODUCT NO PHYSICAL PRODUCT WILL BE SENT
Technology Prep
Headphones/Listen to technology
🎧 The splitter allows all of them to hear the same thing without ME having to hear the same thing.
🎧Cozy Phones are soft & comfortable for kids. You can take out the little speakers (to wash if you have to) as well as put them in the headphones they are already comfortable with.
My son’s AAC device (also used for calming show: Mickey/Blaze) no longer has a headphone port so we had to find new headphones. We found these and really like them because they have BOTH ports so if we fly or use his device we only need to work on him using this ONE pair of headphones.
Watch Technology, Cold Food
📱 holds the cold meds we want close, and some colder snacks
📱holds the tablet/dvd so it’s not (as much of a) projectile and everyone can see it.
Charging Technology
🪫🔋 Charge both USB & 3 prong plugs 🔌 with one car charging port – up to 6 to devices.
🪫🔋It is protected and has a cooling fan
My husband and I travel with this and a cube that holds a couple USB every time we travel in our tech bags. It came in really handy when we were driving this time. This one has 2 C, 1 Lightening, and 1 Micro USB. I was able to charge my headphones, an ipad, and a camera with one cord to spare. Perfect for in and out of the car.
I also love this multi-direction retractable charger. It lives in our car at all times.
Activity Storage
When packing activies you can do it 2 ways:
🧳 Pass back method–young kids or cannot reach a basket (5 point harness)
🧳 Basket Method– reach their own basket have all their own stuff.
Activities we are packing
All the things we packed to do
🧳 They pick out things- they fill their color basket
📱 Technology- I have tech for everyone and community
🎁 Surprises- Each time we crossed a state line, they got a new prize.
The Color photo game– The kids each have waterproof kid cameras (need to buy micro sd card separate). They draw a color (or 2) and they have to search for those colors all through out the trip. When we get home we upload the photos to their own folders and then they pick their favorites into a collage
IMAGE OF THEIR COLOR SEARCHES COMING SOON!
Map-Marking the progress
🗺️ Each time we crossed a state line, we took a photo of the state sign, colored the state, and got a prize from the surprises box.
🗺️ We LOVED our Chalkfull of Design Chalkboard, but many state coloring options (even a print out in a page protector–to do it again on the way home)
Are we there yet?!? Road Trip Progress Tracker
On a road trip with kids asking, “ARE WE THERE YET?!?!” Progress tracking can help keep them occupied and know when they are getting close! 2 printable options. Vehicle & Road or Maps
Vehicle & Road
Prep:
- print & laminate
- attach vehicle to a clip/clothes pin
- indicate stops/states/hours on the road with dry erase marker
- Attach the road to the visor or inside of the vehicle
Use:
- Start the vehicle clipped on the start.
- As you progress, move the vehicle to the different stops/states/hours
**bonus, take a photo of each stop/state sign/view at that hour to have a photo journal
Maps
US, US + Canada, Canada
Prep:
- print and laminate
- outline start spot, route, stops, and finish spot
- pack dry erase marker (bonus if it clips to the map)
Use:
- As you finish a state, color it in
**bonus, take a photo of each stop/state sign/view at that hour to have a photo journal
The kids LOVED this activity and still bring it up. This was a great indicator of how much to go as well as something to look forward to in little chunks along the way.
Food and Drink
🍿 water bottles (with flavor enhancer to change it up)
🍿 snack bags to break down buying in bulk (cheaper) and zipper to save for later.
🍿 make it like a drawer to slide out of the way
Worked great in the car. They didn’t eat as many snacks as we were expecting so we had more left than we originally thought–but it worked great to bring the whole bin in the hotel room and use that to pick snacks as well. We went grocery shopping to restock before leaving for home.
Emergency & Back ups
Shoe & Spew
👟 collect shoes when they get in the car & store in bucket
👟Hand out shoes vs digging for them at destination/stop
🤢 always have an emergency bucket with
🪣 ice cream gallons, sand bucket, plastic storage-doesn’t have to be fancy just has to hold
THANK GOODNESS WE HAD THIS
– We kept shoes in one place and didn’t lose them for stops. They were ok wearing them when awake (except Nolan) but when sleeping it was nice to have them off but close when we quick needed to run in with Bryce to the potty. I kept mine in there too.
– Stella got sick in the mountains after eating too much Easter candy. Got it in the bucket. Bryce began the stomach bug (that the rest of us proceeded to get weeks following the trip) and threw up every hour into the bucket. Only thing I would change: a cover for the bucket if it takes a while to find a safe place to stop and dump.
Back up Bin
🧳Always but especially when traveling we keep a back ups bin in the car. That way you don’t need a diaper bag & you don’t need to dig through their luggage
🧳 @easybabytravelers work great infant to present to keep things sorted & labeled
- Thank goodness to have this and the back up meds inside- Bryce stepped on some fire ants and we were able to quickly medicate.
- Worked great to have a change of clothes after an accident at my dad’s right in the car.
At the destination
Picking a Hotel
Being a special needs family, we are very weary of an Air BnB or VRBO. Basically: 1 they have knick nacks- are decorated like a home, things are not secured down, they have a security/cleaning deposit, and they are more ways to damage. Nolan is at risk of hurting, losing, relocating, all those things- we feel much more secure at hotel.
When picking a hotel our requirements:
- Free Breakfast included- doesnt matter what as long as they get breakfast food as soon as they wake with no ordering needed.
- Indoor pool – Nolan needs the sensory input and we need to be able to do it no matter the weather.
- At least a fridge and would be nice if it had a kitchenette- that way we can buy groceries and make kid friendly food vs always feeding them out.
- lower floors to keep from getting in trouble with Nolan’s jumping (and occasional fear of elevators)
- closer to the action we are going so we can get the wagon to the things and avoid car if possible.
- Wagon access to the room/elevator
WE ARE STAYING AT OUR FIRST VRBO this coming trip and will write notes on the experience and likelihood of doing it again, but the above mentioned requests were looked into.
In hotel food
We always try to have safe foods when traveling. I attempt to pack a LARGE snackle box (basically charcuterie of all foods they love) I then put the other half of the containers packed to refill and eat in the hotel.
One of our recent hotels didn’t have their breakfast area accessible so when it came to eating our safe buttered noodles, we didnt have anything to eat it on. I threw in this picnic set I already had (similar linked)
Sleeping Arrangements
Our kids are able to share one double/queen bed and we bring one cot/travel bed. We have 2 options:
Nolan/Stella — Bryce
Bryce/Nolan — Stella
Stella and Bryce absolutely cannot share or they beat each other up. We have even tried letting them fall asleep and then combining them and they still wake up beating each other. Lesson Learned.
Stella is very possessive over being an autism helper so she typically takes Nolan and then Bryce fits on the toddler cot still. Putting a pillow between them helps them snuggle up but not be “touching each other”
We bring a camera monitor to watch them while in the other room
Night lights, sound machine, and a blanket and pillow for cot/ twin air mattress are also needed.
If you pack an air mattress, this mini pump works great to blow up AND deflate to take up as little room as possible
WonderFold Wagon
Our wagon gave us our freedom to go out and try. We are so grateful! Though it’s helped with Nolan so very much, I know it would be an amazing resource to many and wanted to share all the loved features.
Use code: STAYATHOMEZOOKEEPER to save 10%
- While I know we are unique with our family having a special needs child, this wagon was our saving grace.
- All the safe place, luggage carrying, back up needing, keep them contained needs in one wagon.
- While it is an investment, if you are traveling with many kids close in age with lots of things, I highly recommend.
Hacks, Tips & Tricks
Get items with prime, get travel entertainment with digital credits
📦 If you get have prime, you can pick a delivery day in settings.
📦Delivery day saves boxes & carbon emissions—& you earn digital credits
📦Digital credits can be used on select Kindle, Amazon apps, Amazon Music, & Prime tv. Think roadtrip books, games, music & tv—for you and/or kids on a fire tablet
📦Easy to do. Choose at check out, find your rewards, use your rewards with 1 click.
Cleaning before you leave
🧼 Fill and run the dishwasher WHILE YOU ARE STILL HOME so you don’t have a water leak while gone.
🧼 wipe down counters, get chairs off the floor
🧼 in the rooms with the suitcase. Clean the room & throw everything that doesn’t need to be in that room to the hall, Repeat for all rooms.
🧼 Clean down the hallway, backing your way down the hall, tossing further down the hall if it isn’t time for that or it needs to leave the hall. (for me this means throwing some stuff down he stairs)
🧼 have the robot vacuum finish
🧼 Back in the kitchen, move coolers out, clean out fridge
🧼 Back out of the house, loading car.
🧼 Garbage out, recycling out
🧼 have the robot vacuum finish
This works for me and makes coming home SO NICE and the routine has kid helping, teaching responsibility, & getting faster and easier with time.
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