What We Keep in the Car During Summertime
In our busiest season having that is packed and ready to move with us is essential
A cluttered car is one of those forgotten tasks that sneaks up on you
We’ve been there, trust me
Suddenly it’s July and getting into the car means stepping over cleats, throwing aside an empty Culver’s cup, and somehow there are multiple pairs of sunglasses under the seat.
It doesn’t seem like much more than an inconvenience in the moment but the clutter quietly builds
And for our family, this time of year, we are only getting busier: days at the fair, nights at the farmers’ market, and everything in between.
As busy as it is fulfilling, July is the time when a strategically packed car really makes a difference for us.
Why we appreciate having a car that’s prepared for the Summer
We just had our main vehicle detailed – it really is a great reset for all of our family members just to keep the space that we travel in as clean as possible. It makes car rides feel more enjoyable, too.
Going from ball games to drop-offs to farmers’ markets, there is comfort in knowing that our car is clean, safe, and ready to move.
Having a prepared car doesn’t only save mental energy, but I’ve found it to be a huge time-saver as well. Every time I can grab someone a wipe or their hat without having to run back inside the house feels like a tiny win.
Summertime Car Packing List
Because our kids are older now, this list looks different then it did even a few years ago. I like to pack the car with items that are easy to forget yet don’t take up too much space so whether we plan for an item to already be in the car, or if we forget to grab it from home – it’s there. I’ve linked these products below!
- Blankets (parade, ball game, etc.) and/or towels
- Trash bags (reusuable rollup grocery bags)
- First Aid Kit (band-aids, etc.)
- Baby wipes
- One hat and one pair of sunglasses for everyone
- Handheld battery-operated fan
- Snack bag
- A Jacket/ Sweatshirt for most
- Napkins/Tissues
Items that can travel in and out of the car
(tip: have a “car bag” in the mudroom)
- Sunscreen (tallow sunscreen is great and easy to pack!)
- Bug spray/care
- Glass swig-top water bottles
Reusable Products We Love
Snack Bags: They are so easy to clean and heavy-duty – I appreciate that they come in different sizes to fit any snack we might want.
Glass Water Bottles– they come with a cleaning brush, but we toss ours right in the dishwasher. Refill and reuse over and over again. They won’t leach in the hot summer car and hold the cold a lot longer than plastic.
FAQ’s About Preparing the Car for Summer
We love these roll up grocery bags. They roll up tiny and can hold up to 44 lbs. We’ve had some of ours for 15+ years. Typically they get kept right in my purse, but they will float between the car, house, and my bag.
Some items I keep in a basket within reach of the driver, just behind the console. Other things live in the way back.
We are huge fans of anything that keep the kids looking out the window – the license plate/auto bingo with sliding windows, remember those? Yep, you can still buy them here
For longer drives, our kids will each bring their favorite books and road trip bracelets are always a hit
Everyone’s specific needs are different but along with my car bag, I am already conditioned to check the weather report so I pack accordingly.
When I can, I try my best to make homemade snacks for the kids (and have them help me make them!). Here are some of our favorites:
– Homemade Fruit Snacks
– Homemade Granola Bars
– Sourdough Cheez-It’s
Pin for Later!
Having a car ready for summer travel brings such peace of mind – I’m curious to hear what your no-brainer car items are!
More Ways to Tackle the Summer Months
Dinner-On-the-Go: A Sports Season Survival Guide for Busy Families
Hosting a Meaningful Summer Gathering
Staying productive and motivated for Gardening/Busy Season: My favorite habits!
Affiliate Disclosure & Content Disclaimer
This post may contain affiliate links from a paid sponsor, Amazon or other program. When you use these links to make a purchase I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows me to continue creating the content that you love. The content in this article is created for information only and based on my research and/or opinion.
Emily T.
DAILY INSPIRATION ON THE GRAM @hearty.sol
it's hip to be square!
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