A South African road trip with a toddler requires a little more planning than simply throwing a suitcase in the boot and following the GPS.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Daisy D/Unsplash
Long distances, changing weather, unexpected traffic and stretches of road between towns mean parents need to think beyond what they will need at their destination. The key is not to pack everything your toddler owns, but to keep the essentials accessible and plan for the realities of travelling with a small child.
Start with a toddler car bag
Your most important bag shouldn’t be buried in the boot. Pack a small car bag with everything you may need during the journey and keep it within easy reach when the car is safely stopped.
Include:
- Nappies and wipes, if needed
- Changing mat
- Hand sanitiser
- One or two changes of clothes
- A light jersey or jacket
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Small towel
- Comfort toy or blanket
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Plastic or reusable bags for dirty clothes
Keeping these essentials together means you won’t have to unpack the entire car when your toddler spills a drink or suddenly needs a change of clothes.
Pack plenty of snacks and water
A hungry toddler is rarely a happy travelling companion, so snacks should be one of the first things on your packing list.
Choose familiar foods that are easy to eat and relatively mess-free. Depending on your child’s age and usual diet, this could include fruit, sandwiches, crackers, dry cereal, muffins, cheese portions or fruit pouches.
A small cooler bag is useful for anything that needs to stay chilled.
Pack more water than you think you’ll need, particularly when travelling through rural areas or places where shops and service stations are few and far between. South African Tourism recommends carrying sufficient water and non-perishable food as part of a vehicle emergency kit.
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Pack layers and spare clothes
South African weather can change dramatically during a single journey, particularly when travelling between the coast and inland areas.
Dress your toddler in comfortable layers and keep a warm top or lightweight jacket accessible. A rain jacket is also worth packing, especially for winter road trips.
Most importantly, don’t put all the spare clothes in the luggage.
Keep at least one complete outfit in the car. Toddlers are remarkably talented at spilling food, stepping into puddles and getting covered in things five minutes after leaving home.
For longer journeys, two spare outfits can be worthwhile.
Bring a small entertainment kit
You don’t need to bring the entire toy box.
Choose a few compact activities and rotate them throughout the journey. A favourite book, sticker book, colouring book, magnetic drawing board or small toy can provide enough entertainment without filling the car with clutter.
If your family uses a tablet or phone for travel entertainment, download shows or games before leaving home. Mobile connectivity can be unreliable on some rural routes.
A favourite comfort item can also help with naps. If your toddler normally sleeps with a particular blanket, soft toy or dummy, make sure it is packed somewhere accessible rather than accidentally left in the main luggage.
Keep a basic first-aid kit handy
A small family first-aid kit is useful on any road trip.
Pack essentials such as plasters, antiseptic wipes, gauze, a thermometer, saline solution and any medication your child normally needs. Sunscreen and insect repellent are also useful additions depending on where you’re travelling.
Keep medication in its original packaging and follow the appropriate instructions for your child.
South African Tourism recommends carrying a first-aid kit alongside water, food, a torch and charging equipment as part of a vehicle emergency kit.
Don’t forget the car essentials
Before worrying about whether you have packed enough snacks, make sure the vehicle is ready for the journey.
Check your:
- Tyres and spare wheel
- Fuel level
- Windscreen wipers
- Lights
- Windscreen washer fluid
- Phone charger
- Roadside assistance details
Download your maps before leaving if you’re travelling somewhere with limited connectivity.
South African Tourism also advises drivers to be prepared for potholes, pedestrians and livestock, particularly when travelling outside major urban areas.
Keep luggage securely in the boot rather than loose around the passenger compartment. Children’s car seats should also be correctly installed and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Plan the journey around your toddler
Perhaps the most important thing to pack is realistic expectations.
A GPS might tell you a journey will take four hours, but that doesn’t mean your toddler will happily sit in the car for four hours.
Allow time for toilet and nappy stops, snacks, meals, stretching little legs and the occasional meltdown. If your child normally naps during the day, consider how their sleep routine might fit into the journey.
Rather than waiting until everyone is desperate for a break, identify suitable stops before you leave. Look for places with toilets, food, fuel and somewhere safe for your toddler to stretch their legs.
Road-safety guidance also recommends regular breaks during long journeys, both to keep drivers alert and to give passengers a chance to stretch and refresh.
And if the journey is particularly long, consider breaking it into two days. Arriving later but with a relatively happy toddler is often preferable to pushing through hundreds of kilometres because the GPS says you should.
Your quick toddler road-trip checklist
Before leaving home, check that you have:
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Water and snacks
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Toddler car bag
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Spare clothes
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Nappies and wipes, if needed
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Changing supplies
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Comfort item
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A few small activities
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Downloaded entertainment
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First-aid kit
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Sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing
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Phone charger and power bank
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Offline maps
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Fuel and tyre check
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Planned stops
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Correctly installed car seat
A road trip with a toddler will probably not go exactly according to plan – and that’s okay. The aim isn’t to eliminate every possible tantrum, spill or unscheduled stop. It’s to make sure you’re prepared when they happen.
Pack the essentials where you can reach them, leave enough time for breaks and remember that the journey is part of the holiday too.
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