Must-Have Accessories for Travelling with Kids
Planning a road trip with the kids this year? Whether you’re heading off on a staycation, visiting family, or exploring somewhere new, being prepared can make all the difference.
Long journeys can be a fantastic opportunity for family bonding, but they can also become challenging when children get restless, uncomfortable, or bored. The good news is that the right road trip accessories can help keep kids entertained, organised, and comfortable throughout the journey.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best car accessories for family road trips to help make travelling with children as stress-free as possible.
Why Preparation Matters for Family Road Trips
A little planning goes a long way when travelling with children. Packing the right travel accessories can help reduce screen-time battles, minimise frequent stops, and prevent the dreaded:
- “Are we there yet?”
- “I’m bored!”
- “I’m hungry!”
With the right combination of entertainment, comfort items, and practical accessories, your road trip can be far more enjoyable for everyone.
1. Conversation Card Games for Kids
One of the easiest ways to keep children engaged during a long journey is through fun conversation games.
Conversation cards encourage children to think creatively, practise reading skills, and engage with the whole family. They’re perfect for helping children relax and making travel time fly by.
We’ve created some free printable games here for you to download:
Free Download: Conversation Starter Card Game
Free Download: Would You Rather? Conversation Card Game
Free Download: Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
Or you can buy similar off Amazon.
2. Scavenger Hunt Game
You can also play this fun scavenger hunt game to get your kids looking out the window to find different objects such as cars, motorbikes, horses, barns…
If you have access to a printer why not download this free printable option
Free Download: Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
We also found this similar scavenger hunt pack on Amazon.
3. Organisers for road trips
Making important items reachable for the kids means they don’t need to keep asking for things and everything can be stored in a safe place.
If you take a look online you can find many suitable sizes of car seat organisers for the back seat. Drinks, snacks and games can all be easily reached and stored in one place.
Have a look at some car seat organiser options from Amazon.
4. Kids’ travel tray
This nifty little item means your child can have a comfortable portable desk for the back seat giving them the freedom to draw, read and even sit their tablets on it to watch their favourite shows. We found this Joujou backpack option on Amazon.
5. Portable Potty
This is a lifesaver for when there are no filling stations nearby for a bathroom break for the kids. You can easily pull over, help them do their business and you can get back on your journey without taking unnecessary detours.
We found this disposable, collapsible portable potty – super handy for a one-off trip – find it on Amazon.
For a more environmentally friendly option, there is this 2 in 1 compact potty on Amazon.
Of course, you can always bring your existing potty and buy these portable potty chair liners.
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Comfort is key for sleeping
Comfort is key to getting some super zzzz’s in during a long car ride. Here are some neck pillows, seat belt cushions and head straps we thought would be super handy for the road trip to suit all ages.
Baby seat head support: We found this head support strap which goes across their forehead or the full head cover by MINGZE.
The below is suitable for older children not using car seats. You can find the seat belt cushions on Amazon.
View the Kid’s neck pillow on Amazon.
Of course, if you are on a budget you can always just pack a bag with a blanket and small pillow for each child and you’re all set!
We hope you found these accessories useful and enjoy your next road trip!
Please note that we have no affiliations or partnerships with any brands, including Amazon linked in the blog above.
You might also like our blog on making sure you have the right car seats in your car.
How CRASH Services Can Help You After A Car Crash or Accident
At CRASH Services, we specialise in helping drivers in Belfast, Newry, Derry~Londonderry and across Northern Ireland get back on the road quickly.
After an accident, our expert team will take care of:
- vehicle recovery,
- collision investigation,
- organising repairs,
- providing a replacement vehicle,
- liaising with insurance companies and
- legal and medical
And we do it all, at no cost to the not-at-fault driver.
Our service is free as we recover the costs from the third-party insurers.
Why Choose CRASH Services?
- Established in 1996
- Trusted by Hundreds of Thousands Local Northern Ireland Motorists
- No Cost to You, Costs Recovered from Insurers
- Complete Accident Management from Recovery to Repairs
- 99% Customer Recommendation Rate
Our Mission is Simple:
“To act with care for those involved in road traffic accidents.”
Need Help After an Accident in Belfast, Newry, Derry~Londonderry or anywhere across Northern Ireland?
Call us today on 028 9066 0244 or Request a Callback Today
CRASH Services, take care of everything, at no cost to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best car accessories for travelling with kids?
Some of the most useful family road trip accessories include:
- Car seat organisers
- Travel trays
- Conversation card games
- Scavenger hunt games
- Neck pillows
- Seat belt cushions
- Portable potties
- Blankets and travel pillows
These items can help keep children entertained, comfortable, and organised throughout the journey.
- How can I keep children entertained on long car journeys?
Age-appropriate games and activities can make a huge difference. Popular options include:
- Road trip scavenger hunts
- Conversation cards
- “Would You Rather?” games
- Audiobooks
- Colouring activities
- Travel activity books
- Spotting landmarks and vehicles
- What are conversation cards?
Conversation cards contain questions and prompts designed to encourage discussion, imagination, and family interaction. They’re a simple screen-free way to keep children engaged during travel.
- What is a road trip scavenger hunt?
A scavenger hunt challenges children to spot items outside the vehicle, such as:
- Red cars
- Tractors
- Horses
- Bridges
- Road signs
- Windmills
It encourages observation and helps make the journey more enjoyable.
- Are car seat organisers worth buying?
Many parents find them useful because they keep snacks, drinks, toys, books, wipes, and other essentials within easy reach, helping reduce clutter and interruptions during the journey.
