I’ve mentioned before that my OCD sometimes serves me well. When it comes to cleaning the house, organizing my diaper bag, and packing for a trip- sometimes being crazy ain’t so bad.

I like to be prepared for everything. If I let my anxiety and need for control rule my life, I would miss out on so much adventuring. Knowing that I can handle it if the stuff ever hits the fan helps me put my crazy into the back corner of my brain and get to enjoying life.

This is my kid emergency car kit. It lives in the back of my car, in the storage under the mat. If I didn’t have that recessed storage, I’d keep it in a container with a lid and just keep it in the trunk.

This car kit is more for the “My kid threw up in the car” emergency than it is for “we are stranded in a snowstorm with a dead car battery” emergency. That’s a whole other post; and one my husband should probably write. But if I’m being honest, I’d rather be stranded in a blizzard than in a car with barfing kids, and one of those situations is far more likely to actually occur, so I’d better be prepared. I’d better put a Xanax in there too. Or my mommy. I am not mentally equipped to deal with these sorts of things, but I am at least physically equipped.

What do I keep in there? Boy, I’m glad you asked!

Emergency Car Kit for Kids

1. Extra clothes. Head to Walmart or a second hand store and grab some pants and a t-shirt that you are not attached to, a size up from what your child(ren) wear. Leave them in the car kit always, and wash and return immediately after use.
2. Sunglasses.
3. Sunscreen. I like to keep the stick kind in my emergency kit, because it doesn’t go bad as quickly and can’t spill and make a mess.
4. Hand Sanitizer. Always useful.
5. Flashlight. I was very grateful for this when I had to change a tire at night! This one can be wound up to charge the battery, and has a radio!
6. Disinfecting wipes. For all manner of grossness.
7. Water jug. Replace every 6 months.
8. First Aid Kit- I like to buy a pre-assembled kit to keep in the car.
9. Blanket. For all blanket needs. I have a towel in there too, not sure how it escaped the picture.
10. Garbage bags. These come in handy for so many things. Throwing away trash (duh), holding gross things, holding wet things, emergency poncho, etc. I also have a handful of grocery sacks.
11. Wipes. Keep a package of wipes in a ziploc bag to make sure they don’t dry out. Every mom knows that baby wipes are useful in endless situations. Cleaning kids, carseats, dashboards, your armpits… I never do that… never mind.
12. Disposable gloves. Should things get really dicey, these are good to have around.
13. Paper towels. Duh.
14. Diapers and pull ups. Another item you should size up so you don’t have to replace often. I always have several in the car so I only have to carry a couple in my diaper bag.
15. Snacks. Something non-perishable and not fragile. I keep a couple of high protein granola bars back there.

Secrets for Emergency Car Kit Success

1. Set reminders in your phone. Set a reminder to change clothes out when they get too small, replace items as you use them, rotate seasonal things, etc. As soon as you use an item or notice you’re out of something, set a reminder to replace it!
2. Buy clothes 1-2 sizes too big, pants and a short sleeve shirt. These can work regardless of the weather in a pinch.
3. Make it a habit to inventory your kit when the seasons change- Every September and April.
4. Keep at least $20 in your glovebox at all times. Replace it if you use it!
5. Keep extra garbage bags and ziplock bags up front. Sometimes you don’t have time to get into the back of the car.
6. Keep a list of seasonal items to rotate in. In the winter, I add hats and gloves, an extra jacket, hand warmers, and a little snow shovel.

Here’s a handy dandy little printable to help you assemble your “Oh Crap” box!

Emergency Car Kit for Kids List Printable Emergency Car Kit for Kids List