8 Car Survival Kits For Families

Eight car survival kits for families. We moms spend much of our lives in the car. We run errands. We take kids to school, soccer, piano, swim lessons, and on. And on. 

All this time on the road means that our car has to function as a home on wheels.

These car survival kits for families are designed to keep little ones happily occupied on short errands and long drives - and ensure you're prepared for whatever little surprises life on the road throws your way.

Car Survival Kits for Families: A Home for Everything 

This looks like a lot of stuff to stuff into your home on wheels, but it's really not—if you package it right.

Remember, the contents of these car survival kits can be tailored to your kids' ages and interests.

You won't need everything, and that's okay. I've categorized the kits into eight types, so you can pick and choose what's most relevant to your family. 

Think of each of these car survival kits as a category of essentials. By organizing these items into zip-close plastic bags or clear plastic bins, you'll be ready for any situation that arises on the road. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

Make room in your vehicle for these car survival kits for families: an accident survival kit, a bad-hair-day survival kit, a boredom survival kit, a chaos survival kit, an injury survival kit, a mess survival kit, a safety survival kit, and a sanity survival kit.

1.  Accident Survival Kit

This is the stuff everyone needs in case you have a car problem or accident, whether kids are on board or not. Keep these in the glove compartment.

• Auto manual

• Auto membership club information and phone numbers

• Gas cards

• Insurance cards and information

• Registration and proof of insurance coverage

2.  Bad-Hair Day Survival Kit

This survival kit is not really just for bad-hair days. It is there for those days when your makeup needs a touchup, or your hair needs help. 

Stash these items in a small bin in your car:

• Brush

• Contact lens solution and case

• Hair ties

• Lint brush

• Makeup kit

Along the same lines, keep a change of clothes ready for you and your kids in the car, too. Spills happen, so be prepared.

My friend Kim's daughter wears a uniform to school. At least once a month, she gets ink, milk, or some other goodie on her uniform between home and the bus stop. No kidding!

My friend packs an extra uniform for just that reason.
Remember the just-in-case clothes and accessories: umbrellas, rain ponchos, gloves and mufflers in the winter, walking shoes, sun hats and visors, sunglasses, jackets, and sweaters.

3.  Boredom Car Survival Kits For Families

I get so cranky with parents who do not bring toys or games to amuse their small children in restaurants and other public places. 

If you must bring toddlers to a nice restaurant or doctor's office, at least keep them amused and quiet. I pack activity kits for each kid.

The kids can take the activity kits to restaurants, meetings, or even dull visits with Mom's friends and stay occupied. 
That way, I can enjoy myself, too.

The kits also keep kids happy on both short errands and long drives. Suitable kid kits for little kids include:

• Aluminum foil. Do you know how much art kids can make from this stuff? Think of rings, crowns, and necklaces.

• Action figures, small dolls, or plastic animals. Bonus buy: A lot of them come in little kits designed to be portable. Choose these whenever possible. I recently picked up a clear vinyl-like backpack filled with toy soldiers for my 3-year-old son. He takes them just about everywhere, including the grocery store.

• Coloring books

• Crayons

• Magnetic board games and wipe-clean games are great choices because pieces can't get lost or bumped.

Suitable kits for big kids include:

• Books

• CDs and portable game players

• Deck of cards

• Cell phone games (with the sound, off please)

On the road again? If it's a long trip, consider buying each kid a new book, craft, or toy that will occupy them for a while. Let each kid bring one plastic box or backpack filled with personal stuff. 

It's also a good idea to bring a pillow for each kid to encourage naps. Pack water bottles and healthy snacks that are minimal mess-makers, such as frozen grapes, cereal o's, fruit roll-ups, and juice boxes.

4.  Chaos Car Survival Kits For Families

Life is so hectic. The cardinal rule of chaos control is: If you have something, you won't need it. 

How often have you been on the road and suddenly remembered you neglected to call Aunt Kimberli to tell her that dinner has been canceled tonight? And then you realize you still need to memorize her number?

How often have you needed to call another parent in your kid's class, but you didn't have the number? I always carry an old-school directory in my car, just in case. (I keep the current one at home.)

And, of course, a pen or pencil is essential. You always need one, and there's never one in your handbag when you do. 

Here are some other handy business basics for the road warrior:

• Mileage book. No, you cannot deduct all those hours you volunteer at the school or the local food bank. However, you can deduct the miles you drive to do the volunteer work. So keep a record each time you venture out on a mission of mercy. Jot it in the notebook, and store it in your second-door pocket envelope.
  

• Receipts. Keep a third envelope in the door pocket to stash credit card, gas, and minor purchase receipts.

Another handy thing to keep in your car is a master errand list. If you don't tame this seemingly benign monster of a time-taker, you'll never have time for the fun stuff.

Write down all the errands you must run for the week, then group them geographically. Check your schedule for the week, and plan which days you'll complete which runs.

5.  Injury Survival Kit

• Adhesive tape

• Antiseptic wipes or ointment, burn ointment, and hydrocortisone cream

• Bug spray

• Emergency contact list. Just in case your babysitter is driving when an accident occurs, include your cell number and the names and numbers of the doctor, the orthodontist, and even the veterinarian if you bring the dog along for most outings.

• First-aid manual with CPR instructions

• Instant cold packs

• Over the counter medications such as kids' Tylenol or Motrin and aspirin (not for anyone under 12, however)

• Prescription drugs (Store what you or your kids might need if you get stuck unepectedly, including inhalers for your little athletic asthmatic, in childproof containers.)

• Sterile gauze

• Stretch bandages

• Sunscreen 

• Tweezers for bee stings or splinters

Finally, complete your emergency kit by storing a "Send Help" sign nearby. You can buy these almost anywhere. Just pray that you or your designated driver never need it. If your cell phone is charged, you probably won't.

6.  Car Survival Kit for Families Mess Survival Kit

Here's what you'll need to keep the car and the little passengers inside it moderately clean. Store these items in a small, clear bin in the back of your vehicle. But make sure it's easily accessible:

• Bottled water (You can drink it or use it to clean up spills.)

• Napkins (Leftover fast-food napkins are perfect.)

• Plastic bags for wet clothing or other items

• Roll of paper towels

• Tissues

• Trash receptacle or bag

• Wet wipes or a tub of baby wipes

7.  Safety Survival Kit

Think like a Girl Scout before you head down the road. Here's my list of staples you must have for safe journeys:

8.  Sanity Survival Kit

Each morning before leaving home, I ensure the kids have stocked the car with all the equipment they need for their afternoon activities. 

These include a baseball bag with my son's glove, bat, hat, balls, and shoes, my daughter's theatre bag filled with her script book, and jazz and tap shoes.

Whatever your kids are into or doing that day, prepare for it first thing in the morning. If something is missing or dirty, you'll have hours to locate or clean it.

And always keep a ball or scooter in the minivan or trunk. That way, your little one can amuse himself on the sidewalk while he's waiting for Sis to finish soccer practice or big brother to come out of the orthodontist's office. 

This has saved my sanity on more than one occasion, I'll admit it. 

These eight car survival kits for families can help ensure when you're on the road again, everything goes smoothly.