How to Put Together a Summer Car Kit

Bugs, sun, scrapes, messes, mud…a summer car kit will help will all of these things and more when you’re on the road! Perfect for families…and everyone!

Already the sunscreen and bug spray have come out of hibernation, and plans are being made to enjoy every single minute of the summer.  We’re  on the go a lot during the summer months, whether it’s a road trip, or just around town.  It means a lot of parks and outdoor activities and FUN!  With all that fun comes the inevitable, and odds are, I’m going to need something out of the summer car kit that I keep in my trunk. Preparedness is key! I change it up a bit for each season, and today I’m sharing the summer version, plus a super cute free printable.

Summer is the best. No school, lots of adventures, sunny days (or cozy rainy days), and packed with fun. My kids love playing in our yard on our wood swing set, making shave ice, summer trips, and checking off all the things on our summer bucket list. We end up in the car quite a bit, either due to road trips, or just around town on our adventures.

If you’ve got kids, you know that bugs, sun, scrapes, bee stings, dirty diapers, wet clothes, mud, accidents, emergency potty stops along the side of the road (or in the woods), and a myriad of other things are bound to happen at some point during the summer months, and I’m always so happy when I can go to the trunk and pull out what I need to take care of it. Or at least help the situation until we get home! But whether or not you have kids at home, most of these items come in handy for everyone.

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A summer car kit is easy to put together, and once it’s done, it just stays in the back of your trunk of vehicle.  Replace items as you use them up, and you’ll always be prepared. Having it all in one place, ready to go, makes it so much easier.

I gathered all of the items below, along with a plastic tote that would fit everything on my list, and fit in the cargo space of my trunk. A taller, thinner bin worked well for me because It took up less space overall, but you can buy whatever fits best with your vehicle.

Kit supplies

• Hand sanitizer
• Clorox wipes
• Baby wipes
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Grocery sacks/trash bags
• Baby powder–removes sand like magic!
• Plastic tablecloth–you never know when you need a clean surface to eat on! (I love red gingham!)
• First aid kit:  I always include items for bee stings!
• Extra hair ties (my girls love these ouchless ties–they’re great for wet hair too)  and comb
• Feminine products (if necessary)
• Money
• Kleenex
• Plastic tote

Additional emergency car supplies

I also have a few survival items that I always have in the car, but I don’t keep all of them in this bin.  We happen to have a compartment in the back of our truck that’s perfect for holding jumper cables and other emergency items, so I keep pretty much all of the following items there, except for the food and bottled water.  

If you want to keep it all together you may need to get a slightly larger plastic tote, and I would put the survival items on the bottom–you’re likely to use them much less than the summer items like baby wipes and grocery sacks.  You can also purchase  emergency car kits that come in a bag that’s easy to store.

• Jumper cables
• Trail mix/other snack (no chocolate–it will melt!)
• Bottled water
• Flashlight
• Duct tape
• Gloves
• Portable phone charger
• Emergency blankets--yes, even in the summer!
• Multi-purpose tool

There’s some controversy about whether or not keeping bottled water in your car is safe. After a lot of research, I feel comfortable keeping it in my car, I just rotate it frequently.  I would rather carry water in the hot summer than not.  You can do your own research and decide for yourself what you want to do!

How to make

1. Gather all your supplies
2. Fold or stack items as necessary to fit in your bin.
3. Download the label, and print on to full sheet white labels. Place on the front of the bin.
4. Find a spot in your trunk or vehicle to keep your bin!

Download printable label

If you’d like to download the printable for your own summer car kit, just click on the link below, and print.  I print on full sheet 8.5 x 11 white labels, then cut it down to size with scissors or a paper trimmer.  Stick it right on the outside of your tote, and you’re good to go!

Car Kit (family)

Car Kit (no family)

FAQ

More summer ideas

• DIY Tetherball Set…for half the cost!
• How to Make a Wooden Swing Set the Easy Way
• Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream — No Cook, No Eggs

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*Originally posted 2015.