The short answer
Pack light, weigh the car, and keep the passengers' weight in your payload sum. Put heavy things low and secure, keep children's snacks, water and comfort items within reach, and stop at least every couple of hours. A rested family is a safer, happier family.
Do
- Count passengers in your payload
- Pack heavy things low and strapped down
- Keep snacks, water and wipes within reach
- Stop every couple of hours
- Have a plan for toilets and tantrums
Do not
- Overload the car to fit everything
- Pile loose items near the children
- Put heavy bags on the roof
- Skip breaks to save time
- Forget spare clothes and a sick bag
Weight and space
With a payload of roughly 390 kg including passengers, a family of four can use up most of it before any gear goes in. Add up the people first, then the water, then the gear. See overlanding setups.
- Choose one soft bag per person, not many hard cases
- Pack by day, so you open only one bag at a time
- Leave out the extras. Most families use half of what they pack
- Keep the roof light. See roof racks
What children need
| Need | Take |
|---|---|
| Comfort | A familiar toy, a blanket, a small pillow and a hat. |
| Food and drink | Water bottles, easy snacks, and oral rehydration salts on hot days. |
| Hygiene | Wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, a few bags for rubbish and sick bags. |
| Clothes | A spare set each, plus a warm layer and rain gear. |
| Health | A child-friendly first aid kit and any regular medicines. See the first aid guide. |
| Entertainment | Books, games and music, kept simple and within reach. |
Where things go
- Within reach of the children's seats: snacks, water, wipes, a sick bag and a few toys, in a soft bag
- Low and secure in the cargo area: heavy bags, water and tools
- Easy to reach for adults: the first aid kit, a torch and a rain jacket
- Nothing loose that could hit a child in a hard stop
Breaks and pacing
- Stop at least every couple of hours, and sooner if children are restless
- Pick stops with shade, toilets and space to run before you need them
- Keep the days short. Children tire quickly in a small car
- Offer water at every stop, especially in the heat
- Swap drivers when you can, and do not push on when tired
Pick the trip
Tap the trip to see what to prioritize.
Tap a trip (6 to try)
Priorities for Day trip with kids
- Priority
- -
- Details
- -
Common mistakes
- Forgetting passengers' weight. They are part of the payload.
- Overpacking. You use half of what you pack.
- Stacking bags by the children. They fall in a stop.
- Skipping breaks. Tired children make everything harder.
- Packing no spare clothes. Spills and accidents happen.
- Leaving children in the car. Never, even briefly.
A final word. A small car with a family on board has little margin for overloading. This guide is general information. Weigh your loaded car, secure everything, and put the safety and comfort of the children first.