Build your own Kids Emergency Car Kit

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Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

You know those days - it's 4:30 pm and you're out running errands. Your toddler had a less than restful nap that day so she's already on edge. You get onto the highway and bam - there's a wreck causing a bout of unexpected traffic. You realize you never fed your toddler a snack and now she's screaming "pouchhhh" "crackkerrrr" and other things at you from the back seat. You drive through Starbucks to grab a snack for your toddler (and maybe a treat for mama since you're a little frazzled) and you hear that dreadful sound coming from the back seat. Your sweet infant has a blow out, soaking their onesie. It's about this time you wish you could transport yourself to 8 pm, kiddos are all in bed and you crash in your own because let's admit it, this day is DONE.

We've all been in one of these scenarios before. I'm sure you can think of about a dozen other times when you were stuck out and about with the kids and some "emergency" popped up where you were less than prepared. These are the moments you wish you had an extra snack packed away in the car, or an extra outfit for the baby! To keep myself sane while we're out running errands, playing at the park, or especially traveling, I created a little survival kit for our van to keep us prepared.

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

I'm going to show you how to make one of your own. I grabbed all these items at Walmart when I was already there getting our groceries. They have such a wide selection in their baby area, so I went ahead and stocked up on diapers and grabbed a few extra items for our kids emergency car kit, including this awesome car organizer that straps on to the back of our seat. I grabbed a Huggies® Little Snugglers Jumbo Pack and Huggies® Natural Care Wipes in their baby aisle!

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!
Huggies at Walmart

BUILD YOUR OWN KIDS EMERGENCY CAR KIT

1. Activities

Packing an activity or two is so important, especially for toddlers! When Rae was a baby, we kept a small bin of toys in the back to keep her entertained, but now she spends car rides looking through books, singing or talking to me.

I saw this Hello Kitty sticker book and had to get it - Rae loves stickers! This will come in handy during those times when she is bound to be extra fussy and bored in the back seat. I also packed a small pack of markers that I already had, as well as a fish matching game I downloaded from Simply Learning. These would also work great for restaurants or anywhere you might go where there is a "wait" period, like the doctor. Just pop them in your bag as you're getting the kids out of the car.

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!
Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

2. Sunscreen + bug spray!

Obviously, this is a must for the spring and summer months. We get eaten alive by bugs, and we love to be outside during this time of year. Last summer I was constantly getting to the water park and realizing I didn't have any sunscreen for me or Reaghan! So this year I'll be prepared :)

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

3. A change of clothes for each child

For the inevitable times when they pee through their clothes (happened to Everett just last week!) or when Reaghan spills her smoothie all over herself. Ever have a play date where the kids unexpectedly end up bathing in the mud? Yep, you'll need some extra clothes for that! Just make sure to switch out clothes periodically as your child grows. I set a reminder in my phone for every 3 months when they're tiny, and every 6 months when they're bigger.

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

4. Extra diapers

I keep extra diapers for both kiddos in my diaper bag, but sometimes I forget to pack more when those run out! I've found myself in a pickle one too many times without a diaper and y'all, that's something you do NOT want to be caught in. I keep some diapers for both kiddos in my emergency kit for just those times.

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

5. Extra burp cloth or towel

Because spills happen, and not just because of the kids! The cup holders in our minivan aren't the greatest for keeping cups secured when turning, so it's handy to have a towel if we spill something along the way.

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

6. Snacks

I keep a few pouches and a baggie of almonds in this front compartment of my van underneath the cup holders. This is my secret stash. If either Reaghan or I are hungry, having something non-perishable on board helps us to not run through the drive-thru for a snack.

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

7. Extra wipes

I keep a box of Huggies® Natural Care Wipes in the center console of our van. These wipes are great because they're heavy duty and don't tear easily, yet are still soft on the skin. The case is so sturdy that it's great for keeping in our car. I think I'm going to even keep the case after the wipes are done and use it to store craft supplies or play sensory games with Rae! I keep this in our center console with some fun CD's for the kids, books and our First Aid kit.

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

Having this little kit in our van has saved me more times than I can count. Here's sweet Everett getting a quick diaper change in the back of the van! We've had to do this a couple times, I know other mamas out there understand ;)

Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!
Stay prepared with a Kids Emergency Kit for your car!

Do you have an emergency kit in your car, for kiddos or for yourself? Share your tips in the comments, I'd love to hear what you keep in yours!