Traveling with kids essentials!

Packing for a trip with little kids can feel like packing for a small army. The trick is a short list you can grab from in seconds, not a giant bag you have to dig through at a rest stop.

Here's what earns a spot in our go-bag:

• A travel potty for those "I have to go NOW" moments between exits. Our potty training on the go picks fold flat and ride in the car.
• A small pouch with wipes, hand sanitizer, a spare outfit and a couple of bags for wet clothes.
• Snacks and a refillable cup, offered after bathroom stops instead of right before a long stretch.
• A hands-free backpack so you can hold a hand and a ticket at the same time.

Plan a stop every hour or two, even if nobody asks, and keep the kit up front instead of buried in the trunk. Want the full list? See our toddler travel checklist.