What I Keep in My Toddler Emergency Car Kit

Last updated on May 1st, 2026 at 03:19 pm

One of the things I started doing differently when I had my third kid was ditching the huge diaper bag. Right now, I have a small crossbody bag that I use to store the absolute essentials, and I keep the rest in a toddler emergency car kit in the trunk. I highly recommend this because it makes getting out of the house easier, but you still have everything you need. I currently use this car caddy because it fits everything and has tons of nooks (including one for wipes). Here’s what I store in it:

Extra diapers, pull-ups, and underwear

I’ve got one kiddo in diapers, one in pull-ups, and one in underwear, so obviously all of that needs to be in my emergency kit. I probably keep way more of these items than necessary, but I’m paranoid about not having enough. Diapers, especially, I keep 8-10.

Changing Pad

It can be uncomfortable for your little one to just get changed in the truck, so a travel changing pad can avoid that.

Clothes

Having spare clothes in your toddler emergency car kit is essential for obvious reasons. Again, I’m excessive, so I try to hit all the possibilities of weather, so one short sleeve, one long sleeve, one long pants, and one pair of shorts for every kid. My baby has an extra onesie just in case of multiple blowouts. But you never know what the weather is going to look like, and you don’t want to be updating the kit all the time. Sweatshirts can be helpful too. (And, obviously, in the dead of winter, they’re not going to be wearing shorts.)

If it’s summer, I also recommend adding their bathing suits to the kit so you’re ready for any summer fun.

Water bottles

My kids are always asking for their water bottles when we’re out. However, I would recommend storing these water bottles empty and finding a way to fill them wherever you are. Otherwise, bacteria is going to grow in them while they’re being stored. So, for safety’s sake, keep them empty.

Snacks

Along the same vein, keeping some non-perishable snacks in your car is a good idea. Just be careful that they’re not going to get gross from the temperature changes. So, things like Goldfish, granola bars, etc.

Wipes

Another gimme. If you’ve got to change a poop or even deal with sticky snack time, you’re going to want wipes. I keep some in my crossbody bag as well.

Burp cloths

Just in case, I keep a couple of burp cloths in my kit for messes and bottle time.

Sunscreen

Regardless of the time of year, you should store sunscreen in your toddler emergency car kit. Just make sure your sunscreen isn’t an aerosol form! This could explode, which is obviously bad. I love this roll-on baby sunscreen for my kiddos.

First Aid Kit

Your first aid kit is another absolute essential. You want to be prepared for anything that comes along, like cuts, scraps, and splinters. It’s really easy to buy a full kit with everything you need for going out.  

Diaper Rash Cream

With a baby, I want to make sure I’m covered in case of a developing diaper rash.

Potty

Keeping a small toddler potty in my car has saved my butt many a time. If you’re in the middle of the park and there’s no bathroom, you need a way for your toddler to go potty. Just make sure to keep it clean so it’s not getting gross in the truck of your car.

Entertainment for Restaurant Trips

We recently went on an impromptu restaurant trip with our four-year-old, and if I hadn’t had something to entertain him, it could have been a disaster. Personally, he absolutely loves this toddler busy board, which has tons of options for play and allows him to practice things like tying his shoes or working with buckles. Some books and coloring pages are also a good idea.

There you go. That’s everything I keep in my toddler emergency car kit, so you can build your own. Make sure to go through and add anything that’s specific to your kid or your family. Just pay attention to what can be safely stored in a car and deal with all the temperature fluctuations. That’s key. Hope it was helpful!