Last summer, the five of us were in the car heading to the Ardennes. Two kids in the back, a pile of snacks between us, and a navigation system that suddenly stopped working because my phone had slipped against the dashboard. That’s when I knew for sure—it was time to really think about what I truly need in the car when we go on a trip. And especially what I need to keep things a bit cozy in the back, because a crying child in traffic is no fun.
By now, I have a fixed set of items that always come along. Nothing special, no expensive dashboard upgrades or complicated gadgets. Just a few smart things that make the difference between a chaotic ride and a relaxed arrival. In this blog, I share my favorites, plus what I’ve learned from trial and error on three road trips in one year.
Why the right gadgets in the car really make a difference
I know it might sound over the top to write a blog about car accessories. But if you’ve ever traveled with small children, you know what I mean. A road trip isn’t just driving from A to B. It’s bathroom breaks, snacking, calming down fights, checking navigation, changing music, charging phones—all at once. And if one thing doesn’t work, the whole logistics fall apart.
I used to think I just had to make do with what I had. A phone holder that fell off every two bends. A charger that only worked if you held it just right. A bag full of loose stuff that was always lost. Until one time I was stuck in traffic for three hours with a dead phone and a daughter who couldn’t turn on her tablet anymore. That’s when I started investing in a few things that really make it easier.
What I’ve learned is that you don’t need much. A good holder, a reliable charger, and something to keep the kids busy without screens. Three things. Nothing more. And once you have those sorted, driving with kids suddenly becomes a lot less stressful.
A phone holder that really stays put
I’ll start with the basics. A phone holder sounds so simple, but it’s amazing how often I’ve had one that didn’t do what it was supposed to. They were loose on the vent, fell off while driving, squeezed my phone so tightly the side buttons got pressed, or were so wobbly that I checked after every bump if my phone was still in place.
The 360° phone holder for the car I use now is a breath of fresh air in that regard. It clamps firmly onto the air vent, rotates smoothly to the angle I want, and holds my phone securely without me worrying it will fall off. I mainly use it for navigation, but it’s also handy when the kids in the back want to watch a video and I want to park my phone between the seats so they can reach it.
What I like is that it’s adjustable. Because in our car, both my husband and I drive, and we have different preferences for angle and height. With a holder that’s hard to adjust, you end up fiddling every time. Not this one. A few seconds of turning and it’s perfect.
A tip I should have given myself years ago: always check if the holder fits the type of vent you have in your car. Some cars have vertical slats, some horizontal, and not every holder fits all. This one clamps onto both types, so that’s no problem.
The wireless charger that charges everything at once
Now the second game changer. I charge three things on the go: my phone, my smartwatch, and my husband’s earbuds. I used to have a tangle of cables in the glove compartment—a USB-C for the phone, a micro-USB for the older earbuds, and the smartwatch stayed at home because it would be dead by the time we arrived anyway.
The 3-in-1 wireless charger I have now solves that all at once. Phone on it, smartwatch on it, earbuds on it, and everything charges simultaneously. No cables, no fuss, just place it down and done. It’s also handy in the hotel room, but in the car I use it when we stop somewhere for an hour to have lunch or rest. Then everything is fully charged again when we hit the road.
It’s not that I didn’t have chargers before. I had plenty. But the problem was I was always missing that one cable, or the charger for the smartwatch was at home. With this one charger, I don’t have that anymore. It goes in the bag, and everything I want to charge fits on it. That reduces mental clutter because I don’t have to think about it anymore.
What I also like is that it just looks neat. No loose cables swinging around the gear stick, no mess on the hotel nightstand. A tidy little stand where you put your stuff. Sometimes the simplest things are the best.
Something to keep the kids busy offline
Here’s what I’m happiest about. Because no matter how many apps and videos you download for the trip, at some point the kids are done with screens. And that’s usually exactly when you don’t want to keep starting a new video every five minutes.
The 3-in-1 chess and checkers set for on the go is something I bought last year on a friend’s recommendation, and I really recommend it. It’s compact, easy to place on a child’s lap or a small table when you stop somewhere, and the pieces stay neatly in place. My nine-year-old loves chess, and my six-year-old enjoys checkers. With this one set, they’re both happy.
What I didn’t expect is how much calm this brings in the car. Not because they’re very quiet—they do explain to each other when the other is cheating. But it’s a different kind of noise than complaining or fighting. It’s being busy, thinking, concentrating. And if I don’t hear anything from the back for a while, I usually know they’re playing with the set.
What’s also nice is that it works in restaurants or at the holiday spot if it rains. Not just in the car. We spent an entire evening playing checkers together in a holiday cottage in Limburg. No screens, just a game and a bowl of cookies next to it. I’ve come to appreciate moments like that since I got the set.
What else I bring on a long car trip
Besides these three things, I have a few standard items that always come along. I’ll list them here because maybe you’ll find them useful too.
A reusable water bottle for everyone, filled before we leave. Saves money on the road and reminds you to drink. A small trash bin or an empty shopping bag that serves as a trash bag. Because nothing’s worse than seeing empty chip bags everywhere on the road. A roll of paper towels in the door pocket. For spilled juice, sticky hands, and emergencies like blowing your nose. And a small cooler bag with fruit, cheese, and something to drink. Much cheaper than stopping at a gas station.
What I’ve also learned is to always plan an extra five minutes at the start. Load the car calmly, check if everyone has used the bathroom, make sure the phone holder is set right, and the charger is plugged in. Those extra five minutes save you an hour of stress later in the day. Really.
My experience ordering online at Pantino
A quick side note, because I sometimes get asked where I buy my stuff. I often order my car gadgets and small household items online, because the selection in stores isn’t always great and prices vary a lot. At Pantino, I like that the product descriptions are clear, they write in Dutch, and delivery goes smoothly. Nothing earth-shattering, just pleasant to do business with.
What I also like is that you find a mix of things there. Not just car accessories, not just kitchen stuff, but a bit of everything. Sometimes I scroll around to see what’s new and unexpectedly find something I actually needed for a long time. A handy cutting board, a cute dog water bottle, a funny screwdriver set. The kind of stuff you wonder how you ever lived without once you see it.
A few practical tips for traveling with kids
I’ll finish with a few things I’ve learned the hard way. Nothing revolutionary, but things I would have appreciated hearing a few years ago.
Leave at times when they normally sleep or are calm. We often drive early in the morning, so they sleep for an hour and we’re already quite far before they wake up. Others swear by night drives, with kids in pajamas. What works best depends on your rhythm.
Plan stops where they can run around. A gas station on the highway is nice, but a grassy field at an exit is better. Ten minutes of running around to burn off energy, then you get a few hours of calm again. We often look for a playground along the route. Easy to find with Google Maps.
Keep snacks varied. Not just cookies and chips, but also something healthy. Pieces of cucumber, grapes, a mandarin. Not for health reasons, but because sugar plus car plus kids is not a good combo. Ask someone who knows.
And most importantly, accept that it won’t be perfect. Something will spill, someone will need to pee at a strange moment, someone will cry because the other took her doll. That’s part of it. The more you accept that, the more fun the trip will be. And I promise, afterwards you mostly talk about the fun moments, not the meltdowns.
In conclusion
A good road trip with kids isn’t about the most expensive or the most gadgets. It’s about a few smart things that make your life easier. A phone holder that stays put. A charger that fits all your devices. Something to keep them busy offline. With these three things plus some patience, you’ll get a long way.
I hope you find these tips helpful. If you want to check out more fun gadgets and handy items for on the road, for home, or just for everyday life, take a look at the full Pantino collection. There’s almost always something there you didn’t know you needed until you saw it.
Safe travels, and enjoy it. Summer is way too short to rush through it stressed.
