Must-Have Accessories for Family Cars

Unlike a personal car, owning and driving a family car means you need to ensure it’s equipped to handle certain scenarios, no matter how unlikely.

For example, children aren’t the most careful when eating in the car, so spills and stains on the floor and seats usually follow drive-thru stops. Meanwhile, the frequent search for items, from chargers and tissues to bandaids and important documents, can create headaches during road trips.

As most driving parents know, the road and kids can both be unpredictable. As such, it’s up to you to prepare your vehicle in terms of safety, convenience, organization, and comfort.

Safety

Safety is always at the top of the priority list when you’re driving with your family. Here are some things that will help you get that peace of mind on the road.

Bigger Rear View Mirror

A bigger rear view mirror would let you monitor your passengers while you’re behind the wheel. That’s a great advantage when you’re the only adult in the car and have to keep an eye on more than one kid.

There are also mirrors for children’s car seats that let you get a better view of your kids without the distraction of a larger rear view mirror.

First Aid Kit

First aid kits let you treat injuries, like bruises, scratches, and bumps, as soon as possible. Basically, any minor injury that doesn’t require expert medical attention.

A typical first aid kit in cars includes bandages, cotton balls, and cleaning alcohol. Of course, you can add other healthcare essentials, like a thermometer, an emergency blanket, medicines, gauze pads, bandages, and more. Due to their size, first aid kits are also easy to store inside the glove compartment.

As parents know, roughhousing is normal for kids, so it’s best to be prepared in case something happens.

Organization

Some drives can be exhausting, especially long ones. Inconveniences like having trouble finding or securing items can make them more stressful, so getting accessories to help you stay organized is a good idea.

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Phone Holder/Tablet Stands

Using one’s phone while driving could be a recipe for disaster, but there’s no denying that many still do it. Most rely on it to navigate, while others use it to listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks while on the go. Some also use their gadget to browse through social media while stuck in traffic.

Whatever your reasons for using your phone, a phone holder will give you a safe and convenient way to do so while driving. This is because you’ll have both hands on the steering wheel instead of using one hand to constantly fiddle with your smartphone.

A phone holder can also keep your children entertained without the risk of damaging their phones due to constantly dropping them on the floor.

If you let your children use a tablet, a tablet stand would be more convenient. It’ll make it easier for little hands to grip the device.

Cup Holder

Cup holders are another convenient upgrade, as they’ll let you keep your drinks secure while on the go. Getting some for your kids will go a long way in preventing sticky spills as well.

You can place cup holders in different places, including the center console and the dashboard.

Car Trunk Organizer

Investing in a trunk organizer for your family car is worth the money. Not only will it help you neatly organize the items in the trunk, but it’ll also free up much-needed space back there. That’s a huge advantage, especially if you’re going on a road trip or vacation with your family.

Some organizers have a detachable divider that lets you split one bin into two, allowing for more items.

Storage Box

Having a storage box lets you organize tools and equipment, like wrenches, jumper cables, tire pressure gauges, and more. This will make them easier to access in case of emergencies.

Of course, you can store other items in this container if you want, like grill equipment, camping gear, and other family vacation essentials.

You can put storage boxes inside the trunk next to the organizer for easier access. They come in different sizes, so you’re sure to find one that fits your car.

Trash Bag

During family trips, leaving trash inside the car is almost unavoidable, especially if you’re traveling with children. Thankfully, keeping a trash bag handy lets you properly dispose of garbage and keep your cabin clean.

You can attach trash bags in convenient places, like the back of the driver and passenger seats, or secure them in a mini trash can.

Some trash bags are reusable, making them more cost-efficient than traditional garbage bags. Simply throw away what’s inside, clean the bag, and hang it again for your next trip.

Comfort

Lastly, improved comfort can make a huge difference in long road trips. Installing and upgrading seat covers and cushions, and getting an interior fan and a sun shade are some ways to make drives more comfortable.

Seat Covers and Seat Cushions

The idea of sitting for hours during a long road trip can be quite daunting, especially since it can easily get uncomfortable after a couple of miles. Some kids would complain about it loudly and repeatedly after a few hours of sitting. Thankfully, you can resolve this issue by getting seat covers and cushions.

In addition to making for a more comfortable ride, these two also protect your seats from dirt and debris. Covers, in particular, prevent stains, spills, crumbs, dust, and others from staining or damaging the seat’s cloth or leather surface.

Interior Fans

On a hot summer day, turning on the air conditioning may not be enough to beat the heat. One way to better circulate the A/C’s cold air is to use interior fans. This is also a way to ensure your kids stay cool inside without fighting over the A/C vents.

These fans are portable, making them easy to install wherever you want.

Sun Shade

Similarly, sun shades keep the cabin of your car cool by blocking out sun rays, protecting your family from harmful UV rays. As many know, overexposure to UV radiation could result in premature aging, skin damage, and even eye damage.

Thankfully, something as simple as sun shade helps prevent these issues. They’re also easy to install, as you only need to attach the shields to the windshield or the side window.