Family Road Trip Packing List for Kids
A good road trip packing list for kids covers five things: drinks and snacks, a clean-up kit, spare clothes, screen-free entertainment and one favourite comfort item each – plus a plan for your stops. The checklist below is built for UK family journeys and sorted by where each item goes in the car, so what you need on the motorway is within reach.
Plan your stops first
The Highway Code recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving, and with children you'll probably stop more often. In England, signed motorway service areas must offer free toilets and at least two hours of free parking, and the network is planned so there's a chance to stop roughly every half hour. Pick your likely stops before you leave and tell the children the plan – "two more songs, then a break" goes down better than "nearly there".
The checklist
Within reach of the front seat
- Water bottles with secure lids – water is the easiest spill to deal with
- Snacks in small, ready-to-hand portions: crackers, rice cakes, cheese, chopped fruit
- Wet wipes, tissues and a roll of kitchen paper
- Two or three bags for rubbish
- Hand sanitiser for service-station stops
- Phone charger and any booking details
With each child
- One favourite soft toy
- A small bag of entertainment (ideas below)
- A light jumper or blanket for cooler stretches
Top of the boot
- A full change of clothes per child, each in its own labelled bag
- A towel or old blanket for spills and picnic stops
- Coats or waterproofs – easy to reach if the weather turns
- A travel potty or seat for children who are potty training
Packed away
- Suitcases and heavy bags, loaded low and secured
- A first-aid kit
- Toys and books for the destination
Screen-free games for the motorway
- Number-plate alphabet: spot the letters A to Z in order on passing number plates.
- Car bingo: make cards before you go with things to spot – a tractor, a bridge, a red lorry, sheep.
- Story chain: each person adds one sentence to a story that gets sillier as it goes.
- Audiobooks and podcasts: download them before you leave so you're not relying on signal.
- Sticker and colouring books: crayons are easier than felt tips, which lose their lids under seats.
- The co-pilot game: a soft toy "navigator" announces every county sign and service station you pass.
Soft toys in the car: comfort and common sense
A familiar soft toy is one of the easiest things to pack. It's quiet, it doesn't need charging, and it can be a cuddle, a puppet and a co-pilot in one. A few simple habits keep it safe – and stop it going missing:
- Keep it with the child, on their lap or seat, not on the parcel shelf or dashboard, where it could block the driver's view or slide about.
- Don't tuck it between your child and their car seat harness or seat belt.
- Choose a size that fits the space. Our small and pocket-size Douglas® dogs are easier to keep hold of than a large companion; the ESSA size guide compares them.
- Take a photo of the toy before you set off. If it's left behind at a service station, a photo makes it far easier to describe to staff.
- Decide at each stop whether it comes in or stays in the car, so it doesn't end up forgotten on a café table.
Loose items matter too. The Highway Code asks drivers to secure heavy or sharp objects, because in a collision they could hit someone inside the vehicle – so keep hard toys and bags in the boot rather than loose on the back seat.
Before you set off
Check each child's car seat or booster is fitted and adjusted correctly: in the UK, children must normally use one until they're 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. If your child tends to get travel sick, ask your pharmacist for advice before the trip.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pack for a long car journey with young children?
Water, small snacks, wipes, a change of clothes you can reach easily, a favourite soft toy and a few screen-free games. Plan your stops before you leave.
How often should we stop on a family road trip?
The Highway Code recommends at least a 15-minute break after every two hours of driving. With children you'll likely stop more often, so plan service stations in advance.
Where should a soft toy go in the car?
With your child, on their lap or seat. Keep toys off the parcel shelf and dashboard and away from the car seat harness.
Browse Douglas® dogs in UK stock to find a co-pilot for your next family journey.
