Toddler Car Kit: The Essentials Every Toddler Mom Needs In Her Car

Create your own toddler car kit in just a few minutes with this easy-to-follow checklist of essential items every toddler mom should keep in her car!

I don’t know what it is, but it feels like every time I leave the house, I forget something. I’m a pretty organized and prepared mama, but apparently that’s limited to our home.

And with toddlers, you absolutely have to be on top of your game when going out. Potty accidents, spilled drinks, thrown food, and tantrums can completely ruin the simplest of errands. A quick trip to the store is never just a quick trip to the store. Or is that just me?

It’s better to have and not need than to need and not have, right?

The day you forget to bring sunscreen with you will be the day you randomly decide you want to take a trip to the zoo. Mommy forgot an extra pair of pants? Well, guess who had an accident in the parking lot of the grocery store across town?

Yup, I’ve been that mom more times than I care to count.

Well, not anymore! I finally put together a toddler car kit. It took me about 15 minutes to pack, and now I feel like a total #pinterestmom.

This is a short article, but I thought I’d share what I packed for other toddler moms, so you can recreate your own car kit and feel like an ultra-prepared badass. My kit is packed for Summer weather, but you can swap out some of the season-specific items with ease. I’m currently in the third trimester and I’ve been going nuts on some Spring cleaning. I mean, who wants to clean out their car in the Winter? No one, that’s who.

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What To Keep in Your Toddler Car Kit

Diapers or Pullups
Wipes
Portable Changing Pad
Extra Lovey or Stuffed Animal
Book
Small Trash Bags (for diapers, barf, soiled clothes, and any other fun things that may happen while out and about)
Extra Outfit
Shoes
Hat (if your toddler is hat-obsessed like my son)
Socks
Blanket
First Aid Kit (most importantly band-aids, Neosporin, & burn cream)
Sippy Cup
Car-Safe Snacks (think goldfish, raisins, etc.)
Stickers or Toys (Marshall LOVES these)
Towels (for spills or impromptu trips to the pool)

For The Warmer Months:

Swimsuit
Flip Flops or Water Shoes
Water Wings
Goggles

NOTE: Apparently sunscreen shouldn’t be left in the car, so keep that in your diaper bag instead!

For The Colder Months:

Jacket or Coat
*Switch out the flip flops for warmer shoes

Other Items To Consider Adding:

Busy Bags (for long drives or “boring” outings)
Umbrella (Melissa & Doug has a cute Toddler Umbrella)
Rain Coat
Portable Potty (if you’re potty training)
Toilet Paper
Hand Sanitizer
Bug Spray
Extra Set of Jammies (for unplanned sleepovers)

What essentials do you keep in your car for your toddler? Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for ways to simplify and organize, and I love hearing from my readers!

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One Comment

I think we’re opposite twins. I seem on top of my game most when leaving the house, which made me super excited for this post, as I love being prepared for the unexpected. I thînk I keep the majority of these things in the diaper bag already so not sure if the point is to double up or just to have on hand in case? The only thing I don’t keep in the bag that would be very handy are some small trash bags, and I’m not sure why it’s taken me nearly two years’ worth of messes to figure that one out, but thank you for that reminder! Haha!

Toddler Car Kit: The Essentials Every Toddler Mom Needs In Her Car