Prep Your Car For Summer Fun With These 11 Useful Items

Summer is all fun and games until you’re at the beach and realize you forgot to bring the sunscreen, or you get caught in a thunderstorm and have no way to dry off. It’s important to be prepared for any situation.

I live in a rural area so if I want to go anywhere or do anything it’s at least a 30 minute drive, so I really rely on having everything I need in my car with me. If you can’t keep these items in your car all the time, store them in a small backpack so you can grab and go as you head out the door.

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1. Sunscreen

You never know when you’re going to find yourself out in the sun. It’s also smart to apply it if you’re going to be in the car because your car windows don’t protect you from all of the sun’s rays.

2. Bug spray

Where I live I’m surrounded by lakes and swamps, this means mosquitos. My friends love to have spontaneous bonfires, and hikes in the woods. I’m not about to get eaten up because I was unprepared.

3. A Sweatshirt

I like to keep an extra sweatshirt in the car that’s large enough to fit everyone in my family. It’s not always the most stylish but when the temp drops it’s a life saver. Sometimes I need it because my husband has the air conditioning on too high.

4. A Towel

I think everyone should have both a large beach towel and a small hand towel in their car. You can use it for so many things beyond just absorbing liquids. It works great for a picnic blanket, tablecloth, or sun shade. And if you spill your drink in the car you don’t have to try to mop it up with fast food napkins.

5. A Magazine

This one is a little more old fashioned since we have the entire internet available at our fingertips, but sometimes it’s nice to put the phone down, listen to the sounds of nature, and read a magazine.

6. Cash

While it sometimes seems like cash is going by the wayside there are still lots of instances where you will need some physical coins, or bills. Parking meters, or event parking sometimes only accept cash. Yard sales, farmers markets, and children’s lemonade stands also accept cash.

7. Phone Charger

I know it’s obvious but I just wanted to make sure it’s on the list just in case. I have an I-phone and my husband uses Android so I have one cord of each so we’re always good to go. GPS or music can drain your battery faster than you might expect.

8. Water

I know everyone has their favorite water bottle these days. For road trips I have a giant insulated one that I pack full of ice so it stays cold all day long. I like the Igloo brand ones so I can hang it to get it out of the way. It’s also good to keep some bottled water in the trunk just in case. Warm water is better than no water.

9. First Aid Kit

There are a ton of small travel kits on the market and some of them are cheaper than buying all of the bits individually and they often come in cute little carrying cases. If you’re not ready for that then at the very least you’ll want some bandaids, painkillers, and allergy meds. But like most things it’s good to have a little bit more just in case. Just be sure to replace as things run out.

10. Snacks

For me these usually get packed on a trip-by-trip basis. It’s hard to find snacks that can survive a car parked in the sun. Sometimes you just need a little something extra to get you to dinner time.

11. Sunglasses

It’s bright out there, protect your eyes, especially if you’re driving for long periods of time. Not all lens are created equal so make sure they protect against UVA and UVB rays.

By keeping these items in your car, you’ll be prepared for any situation that may arise during your summer travels. Stay safe and enjoy the season!