What to take: on the road

The road trip checklist whinge-free car journeys:

Food and drink

• Water: take small bottles with sports spouts – they’re easier to use in a car
• Sippy cup and disposable bibs for your toddler
• Light, non-greasy hand-held snacks that can’t spill, smear, melt or crumble
• Dry crackers or raisins to combat travel sickness
• Small sweet treats for when their morale is truly flagging
• Spare plastic bag for litter

Entertainment

• For car journeys, cuddly toys are a must. You usually can’t pack these the night before so make a special note to grab them from their bed or cot in the morning
• Baby mobile to keep the smallest traveller distracted
• Blanket and  teething ring
• Give older kids their own mini ‘hand luggage’ bag for toys just like you would on a plane.
• Favourite books and magazines – but keep kids’ reading sessions short to avoid motion sickness. The same goes for the DS or PSP.
• Colouring books and pencils, fold-down activity trays that attach to the seat in front
• Variety of sing-a-long or story tapes/CDs in the front with you, and when you get fed up of Wheels on the Bus, teach them to love your grown-up favourites too
• Personal stereos/MP3 players loaded with their favourite music or audio books
• Spare batteries or chargers for any portable electronic gadgets
• DVDs for the in-car TV screens
• Leg-stretching activities to play when you stop for a break: frisbee, rounders, football.
• Small wrapped surprise gift for good behaviour
• Lots of ideas for travel games (see our favourites here)

Keeping them clean and safe

• Wipes, tissues and anti-bacterial gel
• Nappies, nappy sacks (these double up as sick bags), wipes, nappy cream and travel changing mat
• Travel potty with spare liners
• Car sickness remedies or wristbands
• Change of clothes for each child in case of toilet accident or sick
• Any medicines, epi-pens or inhalers plus spares in the boot luggage
• Basic first aid kit in the boot
• Sun shields for rear windows and sunglasses for the driver
• Rear view mirrors so you can see your baby in a rear-facing car seat
• Neck supports or mini-pillows for naps
• Headlamp deflectors and GB stickers if you’re driving abroad
• Coins handy for tolls; Euros if you’re driving in Europe
• Guide books, phrase books, driver’s documentation
• Phone numbers for emergency breakdown or the car rental firm