For many of us, the separation between home and car has blurred. Cars have become our rolling offices, kitchens, study spaces, and playrooms combined. We commute to our jobs, ferry our kids to school, sports, and play dates...and then, to relax, head out on a road trip. All this car time brings with it the challenge of maintaining order and general cleanliness on the one hand, and keeping the kids fed and entertained on the other. With these concerns in mind, we offer you and your family a trunkload of tips and ideas, including a homemade air freshener the kids can help craft and a backseat sibling separator with accessible storage for kids' little necessities. Don't hit the road without them.
| Prep Time: About 1 hour | |
| What you need: | |
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Be Prepared Bins: A set of three interlocking bins
Just in Case Bin: plastic bags, flashlight, spare batteries, Dramamine, aspirin, bandages, sunscreen, hair elastics Back-Up Snacks Bin: crackers, a jar of peanut butter and a knife, energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, juice boxes, and bottled water Pit-Stop Fun Bin: a yo-yo, a jump rope, playing cards, bubbles, drawing and coloring supplies, Play-Doh, and so on | |
| Seasons: Year round | |
| Materials: plastic tubs | |
| Instructions: | |
| 1. |
Organizing Hang-ups
An expandable hanging toiletry bag is the perfect back-of-the-seat backseat organizer to make on-the-road amenities accessible to kids (preventing both unnecessary stops and whining). We fill ours with granola bars and juice boxes for afterschool snacking, toys (try mini magnetic game boards or a handful of action figures), and a small pad or coloring book and crayons. |
| 2. |
My Crate Idea
Nobody thrills to the sound of soda bottles rolling, pumpkins crashing, or, for that matter, a laptop thudding in the back of the car. A milk crate or similar plastic box in the back of your car keeps loose cargo secure. |
| 3. |
Car-oma Therapy
Let's face it. The family car is no bed of roses. Soccer cleats, gym clothes, golden retrievers, banana peels ... they all conspire to degrade the air quality of your vehicle. Rather than turn to one of those piney store-bought things, let your kids make your own odor eater. First, cut one of our fun shapes (or make up your own) from a piece of cardboard or poster board. Trace the shape twice on a piece of felt and then cut out the matching pieces. Glue the pieces to either side of the cardboard, poke through a loop of embroidery floss or string near the top, and add words or details with puffy paint. Let it dry before adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil (available at natural foods stores). Refresh the oil as necessary. |
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