Kids in the car. “I’m bored”. Crumbs. Mess. Keeping them amused. Here are 15 Incredibly Useful Parenting Hacks for the Car:
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From messy back seats to keeping the kids amused, we’re always on the lookout for good ideas for parents. Here are 15 incredibly useful parenting hacks for the car, hopefully helping you keep your car and kids happy!
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Parenting Hacks for the Car
#1. Muffin Cases for Cup Holders
Guff.com has a great tip – use silicone muffin cases for your cup holders for kids crumbs and wrappers. It saves having to clean them out, just lift out the muffin cases now and again and empty them out.
Image: Guff.com
#2. Tissue Boxes Tip
Use a 2nd empty tissue box as an instant tissue trash can, like Meckmom suggests.
Image: www.meckmom.com
#3. Use Tubs for Activities
This is a great idea from Modernparentsmessykids.com to put activities into tubs, e.g. small notepad and crayons.
Image: Modernparentsmessykids.com
#4. Shoe Caddy Organizer
A shoe caddy helps keep items organised and you can hang it off the seat in front.
Image: Marthastewart.com
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#5. Print off some games and colouring sheets
Print off a variety of games such as our free Car Journey Puzzles Sheet and some colouring pages and pop into a folder for the journey.
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#6. Plastic Magazine Rack to Hold Bits
Use a plastic magazine holder belted in for kids to keep their clutter in.
#7. Safety Sticker
Put a “safety spot” sticker on your car to ensure an older child doesn’t wander off while you load or unload the car. You can find stickers like this on Parkingpalmagnet.com.
Image: Parkingpalmagnet.com
#8. Use an Cleaning Organiser For Meals in the Car
Buy a cleaning caddy to hold all the meals you get enroute, pop the drinks and sides on one side of the organiser and the main on the other.
#9. Frozen Sponge as an Ice Pack
This is actually a top lunch box tip, from Kidsactivitiesblog.com, use a frozen sponge as an ice pack in clingfilm for your food as you journey, it won’t drip as it melts. Genius!
Image: Kidsactivitiesblog.com
#10. Lego + Lunchbox = Fun on the Go
Love this idea from Ifonlytheywouldnap.net for on the go building of LEGO. They have stuck a LEGO square onto the top of the tin that holds the pieces.
Image: Ifonlytheywouldnap.net
#11. Use a Rubber Band as a Phone Holder
Use a rubber band to hold your phone by threading it through your air conditioning vent.
#12. Put Dice in a Plastic Box
You can play board games on the journey and keep your dice safe by putting them in a small tupperware box.
Image found on Pinterest
#13. Take a Screenshot of Directions
Take a screenshot of directions and the route while you still have wifi access.
Image found on Pinterest
#14. Protector for Seat Belt Buckle
This is a top tip from Frugal-freebies.com to prevent accidental unbuckling of your child’s car seat.
Image: Frugal-freebies.com
#15. Fill water bottles and freeze overnight
Fill some empty water bottles and freeze the night before your journey. Make sure you leave 1/4 of the bottle empty as the ice will expand. The ice will slowly melt as you travel keeping your water cool.
Have your say! Do you have any other good tips or hacks for the car? Share them with us in the comments below.
About the Author: Jill Holtz
