10 Must-Have Family Car Essentials

Our car is our home base. We are always in it. Whether we are taking Richie to and from school, going to the grocery store or taking a trip out for the day, we spend a ton of time in it. I'm a freak about it being clean, organized and safe so I've rounded up 10 of our favorite car must-haves that will free up space and make your life a lot easier.  

{Links to purchase all items below can be found HERE.}

A Good Car Seat

Yes, this may seem like an obvious but I didn't know a good car seat until I got a Diono.  We were gifted with two of the Radian 3RXT seats (one for each boy) and it was a game changer! I don't know how we went so long without them. 

Diono is the only company that fits three car seats across (in most mid-size vehicles). We currently drive a Jeep Cherokee and the backseat is so very small. Their sleek and slim design has given us so much extra space. I can easily sit between the boys when we are on a road trip. I couldn't do that with the car seats we had before. I also love that I can now nurse Ryder in the backseat. Should we have another baby, we can easily fit him or her in the one row backseat as well. We also will never need another car seat because the Radian 3RXT provides safety from birth to 120 lbs (12 years approx.). Its truly a fantastic investment especially if you have more than one child. 

Car Charger 

My car has an outlet and two USB portals in the front seat but somehow I am still finding myself needing more USB ports. This car charger is a lifesaver on road trips when we are needing to charge Richie's ipad, headphones, both our iphone, etc. You can never have enough USB cords!

Car Essential Oil Diffuser 

This car air humidifier diffuser is a lifesaver for calming down the boys in the car.  It opens up and has these little absorbing pads and you can drop essential oils on the pads then you hook it on your air vent. We put lavender drops in it so they get really chill and sleepy. And your car will smell amazing! 

Trunk Organizer 

This is self explanatory - organization at its finest and easiest. Just clip this trunk organizer on and load it up with essentials. We keep a change of clothes for the boys, extra pairs of shoes & socks (I feel like someone is always losing one of these), diapers, baby wipes, toys, Clorox wipes for spills, diaper rash cream and sunscreen. 

Sun Safety Car Shades 

A sunshade means baby’s eyes are spared glaring UV rays. We have one on each back window so each boy is protected. We tried a few brands that didn't hold up well. They kept falling off, weren't made well and didn't block the sun well. These Brica White Hot Sun Safety Car Shades are the best. The suction is strong and they do the job very well. 

A Cell Phone Holder 

This phone holder comes with a few magnets that adhere to the back of your phone (s). Then you stick the holder (which is also a magnet) in the air vent of your car which is basically eye level if you are short like me. I love it because I can easily see a text when I'm at a red light without having to hold the phone in my hand. It also comes in handy if you want to use Waze instead of your car GPS system. 

A Car Seat Protector 

You can see the Ultra Mat Full-Size Seat Protector we have from Diono in the shot above. Its really sleek looking and matches the black leather nicely. These protectors are great for keeping the leather or upholstery from dings, dents or rips from the car set. 

Emergency Escape Tool

Although it is something that none of us would like to think about, there is always a chance that we could need a way to break out of a car in an emergency situation. This emergency escape tool is double-sided. There is a steel strike point to break the side window glass (not windshield) if you ever need to escape for emergencies. If the seat belt cannot be released, you can use the protected razor-sharp blade to cut through the seat belt, then free trapped driver and passengers. Its an essential to have in your car especially if you have children. 

Angle Adjuster for Car Seats

Putting in a car seat in correctly and safely can be super challenging especially for a newborn. An angle adjuster is very helpful in getting the perfect rear facing position. This Diono Angle Adjust has been crafted from high-density polyurethane foam that is supremely durable and perfect for daily use. 

Kids Travel Tray 

This activity tray is a lifesaver for long trips. Richie loves to use it to color, watch movies on his iPad and to eat his snacks. Its super easy to clean and store. A plus, plus for us! 

 {A link to purchase all these items can be found HERE.}