Do you have a toddler car kit stocked with everything you would need in case of emergency (i.e. forgotten diapers, sudden need for a potty break, stuck in traffic, car wont’ start, flat tire, etc.)? Do you lug around a huge diaper bag full of everything under the sun in case of emergency and want to lighten your load? If you answered yes to either question, then this post is for you!
Taylor and I were out and about the other day when she needed a mid-shopping diaper change. I realized I didn’t have a diaper in my diaper bag – TOTAL #momfail. Then I remembered the Baby Car Kit I keep for her in the trunk of my car (this also happens to be one of this blog’s most popular posts to date!). Relieved, we walked to the parking lot for her change. Much to my chagrin, I realized it had been quite a while since I’d updated her kit, and the diapers I had in stock were a size too small. Although I was able to squeeze her into the diaper until we made it home and I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as an “emergency” situation, it did remind me that our original emergency car kit needed a little updating.
So update I did, and here is exactly what is you need for an emergency car kit, fit for a toddler.
Everything You Need In A Toddler’s Emergency Car Kit
Here is a list of everything you need to pack in an Emergency Car Kit for your toddler to keep them fed, changed, happy and entertained in case of an unpredictable situation (or if you just don’t feel like dragging a big ole diaper bag around with you everywhere!). I pack all of this in this bin + lid from Tar-jay – it’s less than $10 and fits all our supplies (minus the portable potty) perfectly!
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- Water bottle with a spout (at least 1) to keep both you and your tot hydrated.
- 3-4 diapers
- Wipes – I keep my wipes in a lined, zippered bag like this one so that moisture doesn’t escape over time (especially when it’s hot!).
- Non-perishable snacks like Annie’s gluten free oatmeal bars or these Sprout Power Pouches.
- Disposable diaper bags + dispenser – I have these Munchkin bags and dispensers in my diaper bag, daycare bag and car kit.
- Diapering creams
- Roll of toilet paper – if you’re in the potty training stage, this is critical, along with this portable potty (scroll down for more details).
- 1-2 activities/toys – I always keep 1-2 books and an activity that could consume my toddler’s attention for the maximum amount of time possible. This Magnetic Curious George Set is perfect for the car and developing imagination, and T loves it!
- Travel first aid kit – you could, of course, put one together yourself, but I chose to buy http://bit.ly/2xKe7PVthis one from Target for $6.49.
- Sunscreen – my favorites are this spray version and pure mineral sunscreen face stick from Babyganics.
- Changing pad – the one pictured here is sold out, but this is a great option on Amazon Prime + only $6.
- Hand sanitizer – I have one of these Babyganics hand sanitizer pumps in our change table caddy, nursing station basket and in the emergency car kit. I like this brand because it is alcohol and paraben free, yet 99% effective in killing germs.
- Tissues
- Spare outfit (socks, pants, shirt) – I keep a t-shirt and pants that are 1-2 sizes too big so that I do not have to think about updating the spare outfit every couple of months because – growth spurts. The Cat & Jack line at Target has super cute T-Shirts for between $4.50 and $6.00 (both short and long sleeved depending on the seasons you’re in/entering).
- 2 gallon Ziploc bags
- {NOT PICTURED} Lightweight blanket – I keep a swaddle blanket by Aden & Anais in the car in case it gets chilly.
- {NOT PICTURED} A Restaurant Kit – create a Restaurant Kit with all the essentials you need to reduce the stress of dining out with little ones and keep it in your trunk. I have actually been bringing the Airplane Entertainment Kit in the car lately because it’s so packed with things to keep T busy.
- {NOT PICTURED, but a MUST HAVE} Potette portable travel + training potty – I don’t yet have this portable potty because we haven’t started potty training at this point, but it is already on my Amazon shopping list for later. My best friends both have this in their cars and it’s come in incredibly handy on numerous occasions. You can actually be out and about during potty training because it can be adapted to any toilet seat OR you can just plop in on the ground anywhere you are and the disposable liners catch everything. Genius, right?!
To access the printable Toddler Emergency Car Kit Checklist use this link or just click on the image below. Print it, shop with it, then keep it in your kit to make sure you’re always stocked up. As a subscriber, you can access and download this and any of the other printables from my website by going to the Printables Library Page and entering the password I emailed to you when you subscribed.
Is there anything I’m missing? What other ways do you keep your car organized and prepared for your little ones? Let me know if I’m missing anything in the comments on this post and I’ll happily update my kit + this post.
P.S. This post is part of the Packed to Perfection Series. Each post (including one of my most popular – “What To Pack In A Carry-On To Entertain A Toddler On An Airplane”) includes tips for what to pack and printable checklists to make sure you don’t forget anything. It’s hard enough remembering what to pack for yourself, right?! I like to print my checklists, laminate them and keep them in my bags/suitcases/kits so that they are right on hand and I can keep track of what needs packing, refilling, etc.
Other Ta[y]lor-made Mama posts you may be interested in:
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This is such an awesome idea! My kids are a bit older now but I want to do the same thing, but for my older kids. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you, Lisa! I totally agree – an emergency car kit can benefit moms and kiddos of any age, the contents will just vary slightly : )
Great ideas! I have some of this in my car but definitely need to add more to the car kit.
Thanks Jessica! I’m sure there are things I will need to add over time, but this list has been working great for us so far : )
So many good items on this list! This would have seriously helped me as a new mother!
Thanks Joanna! I’m hoping lots of my new mama readers can benefit from this post : )
This is such a great idea! I have a couple of extra diapers and wipes in my trunk, but never thought of the rest of these items. Thank you for putting together such a well rounded list!
My pleasure, Naya! Thank you so much for checking out the post and leaving me your thoughts – it’s kinda fun putting together the kit!
This is seriously the best and so helpful for the shortest to longest car trip!
YEAY! I’m so glad you read the post and find it helpful! <3
These are such great tips ! I always love your blog posts they are so helpful. I definitely keep a hand sanitizer and tons of snacks .
Thank you so much, Arushi!! You are always so encouraging!
Yes yes yes, I need to do this right now! I was raised to always have an emergency car kit (we live where it snows more months out of the year than not), but I need to add all of this for my daughter as well! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Vicki! It’s pretty fun putting one together and then being able to not worry when you’re out and about, on the road!
This is honestly something I never thought of. Thank you for this.
You’re welcome, Jalisa! Thank YOU for reading the post :))
I made a similar kit for my kids last year, and it’s come in SO handy on many occasions.
Right??? It makes mom life just a little easier : )
Great suggestions! I used to keep a similar kit in our truck when ours were younger but it included an outfit change for me because I inevitably ended up wearing whatever mess the babies or toddlers made. lol!
That’s so smart! I will have to start doing the same! I did when T was a baby, but she is almost more likely to make a mess of me now that she’s a toddler!
All of these items are surely useful! Better be prepared than sorry 🙂
That’s for sure! I made Taylor’s baby car kit because of a “sorry” and have never worried about forgetting things again : )
Such a useful post! I’m pinning this. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! I really appreciate that!
Books are a must! The perfect cure for the inevitable “I’m bored!” coming from the back seat.
TOTALLY! No matter what age, right??
Okay thanks for all these amazing ideas! I will have to create one of these kits since my baby recently turned “one” and I guess is considered a toddler now! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Taylor is 16 months and we just made the switch over to this Toddler version, so that will be great timing. Thank you so much for reading! xo
I like your advice to keep a diaper bag in your car kit as well as a t-shirt and pants that are big for your baby so that it can fit them for a while in order to avoid having to replace it every few months. When choosing a spare diaper bag, it might help to find one that is in a style you enjoy and which will fit with the types of outfits you wear, such as a solid color or a camo design. Choosing one that fits with your outfits could help you match it to what you’re wearing so you can use it comfortably and confidently any time you forget your regular one at home.