We do a lot of long road trips traveling from Georgia back up North to…
Top 10 Must-Have Items for a Stress-Free Fall Day Trip
Fall is such a beautiful time of year.
The weather is cooling down. The leaves are changing colors.
Festivals are everywhere. And pumpkin patches and corn mazes await exploration.
It’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy some fun family day trips. But before you head out, remember what the Boys Scouts always say…Be Prepared, so you can relax and enjoy a stress-free Fall Day Trip!
(Disclosure: This post is sponsored by STL Locksmith LLC. All opinions are my own.)
Like this? Pin it, and read it again later!
Fall day trips are one of our family’s favorite traditions. They allow us to get out of town and explore new places or even old favorites within a few hours of home. And over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good at packing up the family car to make sure we’ve got everything we need to keep everyone happy all day long.
Top 10 Must-Have Items for a Stress-Free Fall Day Trip
Number 1: First Aid Kit
I usually take 2 first aid kits. I have a larger one that I always keep in the car and a smaller pocket-sized kit that I throw in my purse. The larger pack contains all first aid kit essentials such as antiseptic, gauze, instant ice pack, ace bandage, etc. The smaller kit contains alcohol wipes and Band-Aids, it’s more for little scrapes/boo-boos.
Number 2: Paper Towels and your Preferred Disinfectant Spray
Mountain roads with their twists and turns and bumps can wreak havoc on kids tummies. Trust me–You do not want to get caught in the middle of nowhere without paper towels and disinfectant spray, if your little one gets carsick.
Number 3: Old Fashioned Paper Map
Cell service can be spotty in rural or mountain areas. The last thing you want is to get lost without access to a map. If your signal goes out, it’s good to have a paper backup.

Number 4: Mess-Free Road-Trip Activities for the Kids
My kids love the Melissa and Doug Reusable stickers. It keeps them busy for hours and it won’t damage your car’s interior. Read more about my favorite no-mess activities for long car rides here.
Number 5: Cute Fall outfits
You’re going to be taking a lot of pictures of the little ones, so they might as well be dressed for the occasion. Sometimes I pick festive Fall dresses for my girls and other times, I let them pick their favorite Fall or Halloween graphic tee. They enjoy the chance to wear their fun Fall-themed outfits.

Number 6: Extra clothes and clothes to layer
I always keep a change of clothes in the car for spills. We’re passed the potty accident stage, but we’re still smack dab in the middle of spilled drinks, spilled ice cream, mud puddles, etc. Anything messy…my kids will be attracted to it.
Fall weather is so fickle, one minute it could be 85 degrees, the next minute a storm could roll through and the temperature might drop. Or the opposite could happen, it could be freezing when you leave your house and the temperature could rise to mid 80’s by the time you reach your destination. You’ve got to be prepared. So I always pack extra sweatshirts for the whole fam.

Number 7: Snacks and water
Don’t forget the snacks for the car. You might even want to pack a fun picnic lunch for when you reach your destination.
If your kids have a little bit of trouble with mountain roads, you may also want to pack some lollipops to help ward off mild carsickness nausea.

Number 8: My On-the-Road Photography Checklist/Tip Sheet so you don’t miss any important shots!
Have you ever gotten home from a great day of adventure only to realize that you’re missing some key shots? For example, a sign showing the location name, or a key shot of everyone’s filled apple baskets overflowing. Yep, I’ve been there too. Read more about my on-the-road photography tips and tricks and download the free checklist/guide. Simply fill out your name and email below and I’ll send it right over to ya!
Number 9: Always have a car key back up.
Accidents happen and you don’t want to be stranded because someone lost the car keys. Always make sure you and your spouse have a copy of the key to the car you’re driving.

Number 10: Always carry the number to a trusted locksmith.
If you’re in the Atlanta metro area, think about calling STL Locksmith LLC! They are located right here in the Atlanta area and offer 24/7 emergency service with a 15 minute arrival time! Now that’s fast service. Each locksmith is professional trained, friendly and offer the best quality care they can to make sure you are back to your day in no time!
What are your favorite go-to items that you never leave home without? Leave me a comment below.
HI! I’m a Shana, self-proclaimed Media Mixologist, wife, and mom to two little girls. I love to mix up cocktails of crafts, recipes, wellness, family and business with just the right amount of sparkle to help you shine everyday. So, grab a glass, and let’s celebrate the cocktail of life!

Leave a Reply