27 Things Every Parent Should Always Keep In Their Car

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Before you go for your next family drive, make sure you've packed plenty of snacks, a few bottles of water, and (more than) a few of these automotive must-haves.

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Includes three disposable bags with absorbent pads and a travel bag.

Promising review: "OMG! A coworker told me about this when I was mentioning to her my apprehension about driving to our family reunion, being that my 3-year-old son had finally started adapting to not 'going potty' in his pull-ups. She immediately said this was a lifesaver, and she takes it everywhere.

So, I ordered it, not really having high hopes, but figuring I'd give it a try. OMG, OMG, OMG! Do you know the whole time we were driving, my son told me like four times that he had to 'pee-pee' (four times is a lot because it was only a four-hour drive). It is very easy to use; it folds flat and comes in a thick, drawstring, durable plastic bag. It also comes with a few disposable bags that have an absorbent pad attached to the inside base to help retain the mess.

The reusable bags are designed to be pulled over the potty and dropped down inside to catch waste. This is great for roadtrips, as well as every day here and there. You can use it in a restaurant if your child needs to go, but you don't feel comfortable with them sitting on the public toilet seat or anywhere else. I definitely recommend this if you are potty training your little one or even if you have a toddler and are a germaphobe about public bathrooms. Buy it! You won't regret it!" —Janeen A.

Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "Where has this been all my life? I never thought to use slime to get the crevices in my car clean. It’s so easy to just press or roll this around in the car, picking up the dirt and crumbs vacuums are too stubborn to pick up." —Andrea

Get it from Amazon for $6.88.

Promising review: "If you travel, and especially if you travel with children, you need these. To be fair, I've owned the 'name brand' versions of these, and the Amazon Basics versions work just as well. I have used them on a few trips so far and have no issues with broken zippers, tears, or seams coming apart. I use the largest size for my clothes, the medium size for my kids' clothes, the small for their socks/underwear, and the long for my socks/underwear. We have multiple sets for longer trips. Somehow, TSA always chooses my bag to randomly inspect (probably because it always weighs a ton, haha), and these cubes mean my bag is still organized at the end destination. I've even started using the cubes to pack extra clothes for my kids in my day bag (my kids can get messy anywhere). One of our best purchases for travel, hands down. If you are hesitating, don't. Buy these." —JB

Get it from Amazon for $22.46 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "Fits snug. Not bulky. This thing has been a lifesaver. Sneezes, ice cream melts, all manner of 'oh crap the kids need a tissue or towel-ish thing and I'm driving.' BOOM, right at my fingertips, I can handle it. I am now super mom with snotty nose kids." —Ldez

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "What an incredible and smart way to play with a Rubik's Cube! Super fun and quite the challenge. My son is occupied for hours on end trying to complete the maze successfully. Much better than him spending time in front of devices." —Julie N.

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

Promising review: "I love this Drop Stop. I am constantly dropping my key fob, cellphone, or credit card between the seat and center console more times than I like to admit. Installed it in less than five minutes, and most importantly, it fits perfectly in my 2017 Toyota Highlander. As you can see in the pictures, it’s hardly noticeable. Great purchase!" —Shawnbond

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

Promising review: "I use this for longer car rides with the kids; it has a spot for everything! My first one has lasted two years with little to no sign of wear and tear (everything in our house looks worn and torn, so this is a big deal for us). I got a second one for my younger boy as he is old enough for forward facing. Highly recommend!" —D

Get it from Amazon for $28.95 (available in 8 colors and designs).

Promising review: "I work in the medical and rescue field and have to say this is a great product to have on your keychain. One of the concerns I had when buying this was the breakaway portion of the device itself, but that was an unfounded fear. This is something that will save your life if you are ever trapped in your own vehicle as it will stay connected to your keys in the ignition which means that you will be able to reach it without a major issue. It will not easily detach without you pulling it off, which means will be available where you want it when you need it. I have nothing negative to say about this and have bought one for my wife as well to have." —Aizrec!

Get it from Amazon for $9.49.

Promising review: "I bought this first aid kid with the intention of keeping in the car. Having kids, accidents always happen. It is the perfect size to keep in the trunk. It has everything you could need. However, I wish it would have come with more of the normal size or even bigger Band-Aids versus the extremely small ones. But for the price, it was worth every penny!" —Julie H.

Get it from Amazon for $12.60.

Promising review: "This thing is awesome! I own a 2018 Dodge Durango that sadly does not have leather seats. I own three dogs, and it is just a nightmare pulling out my extension cord to vacuum my truck. I can now just plug this little guy into my 12-volt car outlet, and I’m good to go! The power in this vacuum is as good as it’s going to get for a car vacuum, so if you want extreme suction, then buy a Shop-Vac. Also, the attachments are fantastic." —Sally

Get it from Amazon for $32.82.

Promising review: "Good for when you need a little extra warmth, but not the weight of a blanket. At this size, it's more of a lap blanket for sitting on the couch. It does fold up small and will be good for traveling. I like the cape feature." —pixie trinket

Get it from Amazon for $71.25+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "This organizer has helped me to keep the back of my Honda CR-V more organized. I store permanently-needed items that used to be all over the back getting in the way (jumper cables, bungee cords, air compressor, and rags). It fits great and looks good in comparison to the interior of the Honda CR-V. It still has more space should I want to store more items." —Amanda L.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

Promising review: "I love these beach towels! They’re the perfect size for my husband and me, they’re a great price, and they launder easily. Thank you, Target, for making these affordable beach towels." —No more itchy scalp

Get it from Target for $6.

Promising review: "This product is truly magical! I mostly use this for my sliding doors and hinges; it has been such a godsend. They use to get stuck frequently, and this product has solved that. I find it important to mention how easy it is to use. I recommend this product 100% especially considering how it can be used in a great variety of issues. I've been using this product for years and still continue to discover new uses for it." —Joana De Abreu

Get it from Amazon for $11.98.

The jar includes 10-inch, 18-inch, 24-inch, 32-inch, 40-inch cords, and 8-inch canopy/tarp ball ties.

Promising review: "These bungees are great! We have a hatchback and often ride with our two big dogs and cat in the back, so they come in quite handy to keep any luggage we might have up against the side, giving the animals the most room possible. There are a few different sizes, and it's convenient that they come in a little container so I can keep them in my car and keep them organized. I'm very satisfied!" —Jenny M

Get it from Amazon for $16.44.

Promising review: "This device is perfect for anyone who wants to charge devices that do not use a USB. I do a lot of work on the road with photography and needed a way to charge my computer and camera battery while not losing valuable driving time, and this was the perfect solution. The charging speed is comparable to a standard house outlet even with my computer, camera, and phone plugged in! The cord is a great length so it can be movable around my front seat. However, it does get warm as do many things using that amount of electricity so I would recommend keeping it on the floor or cup holder. I love the on and off switch so if it does feel too warm I want to turn it off without unplugging anything." —Cheryl M.

Get it from Amazon for $25.99.

Promising review: "I purchased these for our trip to Disney World in anticipation of rain. Folded up, they don’t take up much space in a backpack. When it came time to use them, I was glad I purchased these front-button kinds. They didn’t blow all over the place when it got a little windy, and the hoods keep the kids' faces dry. My son did poke little holes in the sleeves with his fingers. Held up well. This size fits both my son, age 7, and daughter, age 10." —AV

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in 7 color combinations).

Includes jumper cables, a tow strap, gloves, a poncho, a first aid kit, and a head lamp, as well as a complimentary one-year Roadside Assistance membership that covers up to three incidents over 12 months.

Promising review: "I got my dad and myself one of these; it's good to have in your car. You never know what's going to happen, and having a car kit could save time and money. The carrying case doesn't take up much room and makes everything organized." —Raven

Get it from Target for $31.99.

Promising review: "This is a lifesaver. I keep a pack in every vehicle and my purse. We have a 7-year-old who gets car sick if the ride is over 15–20 minutes. This always works for her, and she says it does not taste bad. I don't have to fight her to take it." —Lisa G

Get it from Amazon for $4.28+ (available in multiple sizes).

Promising review: "This is a great flashlight. The light is very bright, and it is adjustable. The price is very low for two lights, but don't let that great bargain mean you are not receiving a good light. Compact, very bright, and it comes in its own storage case. I bought six lights to ensure I have one in every car, and my kids all have one in the house and one in the car for emergencies. Batteries are easy to install. This is a must-have item in the household." —Raymond M. Goldbach

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

Promising review: "I am loving these headrest hooks for my big tote. I usually have a couple of ladies with me, and they have also used these hooks. I tend to really load up my tote bag, and I place it on one hook. Super easy to install...takes seconds! No issues with the hooks coming off when removing bags. I am in and out of the car all day and have been loving them! My passengers are also relieved to not have to move or hold my bag anymore!" —KC, Naples, FL

Get it from Amazon for $11.97.

Promising review: "I live in my car by choice, and I needed something to help me not drain my car battery all the time and still keep my tech life going. I've been using this power bank for almost four months now, and I'm pretty pleased. I've used it to power many devices, including many phones, various Bluetooth headphones, my vape and e-pens, and whatever my friends need charging, too. It's a godsend. Charge the power bank by day, and charge my devices at night. Speaking of night, I'm so glad it has two flashlights. One in front of it that's directional and an enormously brighter one on the bottom. The bottom one will illuminate, like, 30 feet away. It's, like, 3/4 the intensity of a vehicle headlight from the 2000s decade." —Angel

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "Have you traveled with a car full of kids? Do you hit the drive-through to save time on a long trip, only to find yourself balancing a dipping sauce on your leg, center console, or your roadtrip partner? Well, look no further, as your solution has arrived. These holders are the perfect size and free up your hands and eliminate messes from forgotten or unbalanced sauces. During an eight-hour trip, use the freedom to pass napkins and the cleaning time upon arrival, enjoying the destination with teenagers who don’t want to be there anyway and 'didn’t want McDonald’s…again.'" —Sarai

Get it from Amazon for $10.90+ (available in two, four, and five-packs).

Note: Some reviewers mention that the can will take up a lot of legroom in the backseat area.

Promising review: "Great for car, truck, or SUV. Easy to install, and the kiddos love to use it, so it is a big win for me. I have five grandkids, and they love to go with Grams but are constantly leaving their trash behind. Not anymore! And it also holds a lot of trash. Matter of fact, they tell me when it’s full and will take the bag out and put a new one in. Simple to use, no mess, and everyone is happy." —Tammie Russell

Get it from Amazon for $8.87+ (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "I use these with my child, who tends to very urgently need to use the bathroom without much warning. Can't count how many times we've pulled to the side of the highway and used these. They're easy enough to manage that we don't have to get out of the car and be visible to passersby. I do have to hold it; I don't think a very young child could manage it, but an older one could. The shaped top is very helpful, and they seal well — never had a leak or spill. We carry them in each car and even in our bag when we just go out for the day." —J. Pettit

Get it from Amazon for $8.50+ (available in five different quantities).

Promising review: "Great product! No odor of its own, which means they absorb, not mask, odors. I’ve placed them in all over the house where the dogs are allowed. No doggie odors to report. Put one in the family minivan. It used to smell of sweaty kids, their sports team gear, fast food, and dogs (and at times, like wet dogs). I will buy it again as needed!" —Panda Poppa

Get it from Amazon for $15.99.

Promising review: "The quality of this tape is good. I don't use the cheaper duct tapes, which do not hold up, especially if it gets wet even for a short period of time. This all-weather tape is the way to go. It lasts and is strong. Just bought another roll. :-)" —Lee

"So far, this duct tape has lasted at least a month, keeping my trunk shut on my car!" —Hana

Get it from Amazon for $15.50.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.