When it comes to road trips with kids, there's a lot to take into consideration. Between snacks, blankets and pillows plus all of the normal necessities to keep them occupied, here are 4 items I never forget to pack plus one item I REALLY want.
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Before I share my favorites, I want to invite you to join our Idgie Outdoor group on Facebook. This is a group for families to share their travel adventures - adding in pictures, details and tips to help inspire other families looking for their next adventure. Come share your trips and find new places to explore!
Click the link to Join: Idgie Outdoors Official Group on Facebook
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Let's get to it...
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1. The Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station
This little power station sure was a sanity life saver on a two week cross country trip in a 12 passenger van with 12 people, seven of which were kids. So many iPads and phones to charge and keep going, the Jackery was a game changer. Yes we know there are crayons and coloring books, snacks and games. Hear me when I say it was a two week trip in a 12 passenger van with seven children - 90+ HOURS of drive time.
Link: Jackery Explorer 300
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2. Osprey Daylite Plus Pack
I ALWAYS carry this pack on all of our hiking trips. It's super light, the straps are incredibly comfortable and the quality is top notch. I've carried a LOT of stuff in this pack, including several waters and it never seems to hurt my shoulders or feel like a chore to carry. When it comes to hiking gear especially backpacks, I've always chosen Osprey.
Link: Osprey Daylight
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3. Keen Hiking Boots
My first real mountain hike ever was at Rocky Mountain National Park back in 2020. After our first hike to the top, I quickly realized my tennis shoes weren't going to cut it, so we walked around Estes Park, CO until we found a store selling hiking boots. They immediately pulled down a pair of Keens for me and HOLY MOLY I fell in love with these boots instantly. I even raced back out and bought my three daughters each a pair of Keen hiking boots and it truly did make all the difference. The traction alone for the rugged rocks and the waterproof perk to these specific boots made it more fun for my girls to explore. They never had wet feet, and we walked through some pretty good streams and into parts of lakes, never had a problem. We love them so much that when two of my girls grew out of theirs, we bought another size up from Keen.
I'm going to link the store of Keen instead of directly to this specific boot because I think you'll find they have a ton to offer outside of hiking boots as well.
Link: Keen
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4. Headphones (Noise Cancelling)
We use Beats but any headphones with noise cancelling are great. We choose to purchase the noise cancelling kind because it allows our kids to listen to their music in peace and they aren't asking us to turn down our car music. My husband and my dad like to test the level in which they can turn up the music before the speakers blow - Money for Nothing's drum solo has to be played 15 times for sound testing purposes. (Not familiar? Look up Money for Nothing - Dire Straits). *Disclaimer - I will say the downside to this noise cancelling perk is when we are trying to talk to them or ask them something and they can't hear us in the car. I can only throw so much stuff to the far back seat before I run out of things to get their attention. Guess I'm going to have to invest in one of those long extension sticks.
Link: Any headphones with noise cancelling
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5. Idgie Outdoors Apparel
While we have a shop full of outdoor inspired tees, this one is my current favorite. All of the National Parks on the back is a National Park junkie dream shirt. If you're part of our Idgie Outdoors Official Group on Facebook, you get a 10% off discount code for this tee (shoot us a message and I'll send it over).
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Bucket List Item: Walker Family Goods - Duffle Bags
Hear me out, have you ever road tripped and your kids want their bag from the back of the car and you have to figure out which black bag is theirs? That's where the Walker family comes in. They create duffles of all different colors, which also match backpacks, which also can match toiletry kits and tote bags and slings. Someone give these people a hug for me. The mother in me is doing the best happy dance you've ever seen (both because I'm so happy about these and because I'm a terrible dancer you just can't help but watch). I want an entire set (tote, sling, toiletry kit, duffle, and backpack) in a set of colors, each different for each one of us. Then no one would forget which was theirs and I'll have to do is memorize colors. God love these people. Walker Goods items are on my bucket list. Plus, they love travel and film and family road trips like we do.
Link: Walker Goods
What are your MUST HAVES when ROAD TRIPPING with kids? Come share with us in our Idgie Outdoors Facebook Group!