Thursday, December 1, 2011

Car Boxes

I don't know about you, but my car is a place where kids rule. Meaning, it's their car, not mine. There are toys, crumbs, and random pieces of clothing scattered around the floorboards. It's not a pretty sight!

As my life with two kiddos becomes busier and busier, I need to be as organized as possible. We are out and about a lot and oftentimes the things I need for them (e.g. sunscreen, diapers, etc.) are no where to be found. So, I made some "car boxes". This idea isn't anything new or brilliant, but it's been a lifesaver for me.

This first box is James' box. It sits between his and Juliet's car seats. When Juliet gets older, she'll have one of her own.

Here's what inside:
:: Crumb free snacks - only took me 4 years to figure out that if I don't want crumbs in the car, don't let cute little kids eat crumbly food in there!
:: Waterbottle
:: Various books (I Spys, readers), magazines, and a workbook
:: A couple of activity bags
:: Homemade notepads
:: Crayons
:: Various toys with easy to pick up pieces - these reptangles are a favorite!
:: Calculator (James loves playing with this)
:: A favorite stuff animal
:: Brain Quest deck - we LOVE these!

This next box is also for the kids, and it holds some basic necessities. Such as...

:: Blanket
:: Umbrella
:: Mini first aid kit
:: Hand sanitizer
:: Sunscreen
:: Plastic bags. These are from the grocery store and are great for dirty diapers, outdoor items that suddenly become most cherished treasures, and of course, trash.
:: Wipes
:: Diaper changing kit (it's a roll out mat that has diapers, cream, and wipes inside of it).
:: Sun hats
:: Sunglasses
:: Kleenex

This was one of the easiest bits of organization I've done in a long time. Find a bin, gather the items you regularly need, put it in all in the car. Easy peasy!

~Thank you for your comments!~

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this idea! I am always trying to find those little things that should be (and usually are) in the car. Bandaids, sunglasses, hats, jacket, change of clothes, etc.

Karen said...

Wow you're amazing!! How you do it!!?? sooo organized!! I just love your ideas!!

by the way, love the homemade notebook!! they're sooo cuTE!!! I will make some!!

Big Hugs!

Jo said...

Sounds like a great piece of organization. I'll have to remember this for when we get a minivan, because squeezing these in the Corolla isn't an option at this point. Thanks for sharing!

Felicia said...

I love this! the girls stuff always ends up all over the car and drives me totally bonkers.

Brandi said...

I keep thinking I need to do something like this! :) I love that you have 2 boxes! Great idea!

Gidget Girl Reading said...

I use the big pockets on the back of the front seats.

be careful with the items in the basket between the kids in a accident things fly so make sure everything is safe and won't hurt anyone.

Ludicrous Mama said...

I have a similar system (although it's been in use for a while, so now it's not really very neat or organized anymore! I keep the 'necessities' in Ziploc baggies in the trunk (all sun/swim gear together in one bag, emergency rain gear in another, spare emergency outfit/panties in another, etc.

For her fun box though, I added a cookie sheet I found at Dollar Tree. For $1, she now has a magnetic tray with a lip, and she loves playing with her magnet animals and home-made magnets (stickers and family photos on those magnetic sheets you can buy at office supply stores that I cut out for her.) And it's usually the toy she chooses to drag in with us to places like the doctor's office.

Lisa said...

Great post. I have done something similar for my son on road trips, but your kits are much more complete than mine. Pinned this to Pinterest; thanks for sharing!

Corrie said...

Nice!

Anonymous said...

I just cleaned some crumpled paper and old kids' books out of the car; I could really use some of your tips better organizing it! I always feel like I need to buy NEW stuff to get the job done, though. :)

I've enjoyed following your posts with fun educational ideas, especially the sensory bins and theme units. I've been able to imlement some of these in my own home.

I'm passing on the Versatile Blogger Award! http://karlamcurry.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/the-versatile-blogger-award/

Whitney said...

These are both great ideas. Thanks for sharing!

Keitha said...

I love reading your blog. You have such amazing ideas for things to do with your son. I would like to pass on the Versatile Blogger Award to you. http://keithaschaos.blogspot.com/2011/12/versatile-blogger-award.html

Anonymous said...

I have a box of books next to my daughter's car seat and she loves it. I also keep meaning to do a necessities box, but haven't gotten around to it. Hopefully this post will inspire me! Having the box sure would be helpful.....

Shennie said...

I enjoy your blog! Thanks for all the cute/great ideas. I use car boxes too but mine aren't so cute (just a cardboard box) so I can just toss them when they get too full of crumbs :)

Have you ever made calendar cards for the winter? I love your calendar cards. I've used both the 4th of July and the Harvest cards and couldn't find any Christmas/winter cards.

Thanks.

Unknown said...

What great ideas! I love an organized car. Mine just gets so disorganized fast! I really need to work on keeping all my supplies stocked!

lily joy said...

wow that looks so organized!! :)

Unknown said...

This really is a wonderful idea! JDaniel would love having his own car care kit.

STEPHANIE. said...

These are great! I check back to our blog often for creative ideas for my little guy. He loves his sensory tub! Updating through your blog I realized that we both had a little girl on the same day, actually just an hour after yours came. :) congratulations, she is gorgeous!

Monica said...

haha! At the beginning it sounded like you were describing my car!!!! I will try this car boxes idea!! Thanks a lot! Merry Christmas!

Leptir (NataĊĦa) said...

Hi! I have a little blog award for you :) Check it out: http://leptir-mojpribor.blogspot.com/2011/12/best-blog-award.html

Happy holidays :)

Meredith said...

I do the same thing - I have a bin from Target that holds all the books, toys etc then I keep an old diaper bag in the car with food, sunscreen, diapers, bibs etc. This way I don't have to carry a big diaper bag around everywhere but the stuff is in my car for last minute stops.

Demetria @ Christian Homeschool Moms said...

Awesome. I need something like this in my van- would make for a much more organized trip around town! Thanks for the much needed encouragement :-)

Clemencia said...

Hi, I have awarded your blog the Versatile Blogger Award! Come get it at my blog
http://storytime-storytime.blogspot.com/

zoleo said...

Another great idea - I've tried it before but I think I'll do it again with me maintaining control over it in the front seat. Hopefully less will end up on the floor!

I mentioned this link and your blog on my blog. I'm new to the blogging world so I wasn't quite sure how to let you know. Here's the link:

http://resolvingcrazy.blogspot.com/2012/01/inspiring-mommas.html

Blooming Mama said...

These look so great! I love having everything in an organized place! My only suggestion is to swap the crayons out for washable markers.... crayons melt, been there, done that one hot August day!

English said...

I love it!! I recently made a small box for my daughter for a long car trip. She's still rear facing so it's so hard to give her entertainment from the driver's seat. I put books and toys she could enjoy in the box propped up on some pillows in the middle so she could reach. Thanks for the extra ideas with the necessities and other enjoyable goodies. I'm always scrambling right before we leave the house.

Gary said...

Great information about car box, I'm very enjoy your posting.........

Personalised Mouse Mats,

Samantha said...

I just found your blog and I love it. This idea is going to save my car. Thank you!
Also, my children both attend Montessori schools (elemantary and preschool). I told our preschool teacher about your blog and both of us gigggled with excitement. Thanks for all your dedication to this space.

chickpea1309 said...

Brilliant. I have one of these: http://kidstravel2.com/inc/sdetail/189/4154 with books and toy cars, etc in it and rotate and change it every now and again as I have a 6yr old girl and a 2yr old son so their interests are VERY different.
LOVE the other box, I'm gonna do that this evening. Thanks! x

Jennifer said...

I love your revelation about crumb-free snacks. Don't feel bad about it taking you 4 years to figure out...it has taken me 6 1/2 years and your blog post to realize it.

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