Must-Have Car Accessories for Kids (and Parents)
If you’ve ever taken a long road trip with the kids in tow, you’ll know how stressful it can be. Kids can get bored pretty quickly in the backseat, and that boredom can make life miserable for parents. If you want to keep the kids happy and entertained (and quiet!), consider adding these five essential car accessories to your vehicle.
1. Child’s Car Seat
This add-on may not keep your kid entertained, but it could save their life. The most essential automotive accessory, car seats are so important that hospitals will not let new mothers leave until they have on installed in the vehicle. Click here for Transport Canada’s guidelines on selecting the right car seat for your child’s age and size.
2. Backseat DVD Player
If you’re embarking on a long family road trip with children, a portable DVD player is an absolute must. Just bring a stack of your kids’ favourite Disney movies and let them settle in for the journey. If all goes well, you’ll reach your destination before they’re bored enough to utter the dreaded, “Are we there yet?”
DVD players have become so popular that many new minivans and SUVs now come with back-seat DVD players built-in. If your vehicle did not, there are plenty of affordable aftermarket versions available.
3. Back-Up Camera
If you have kids, you need to know where they are at all times, especially when you’re reversing your car. A back-up camera is an essential safety-minded add-on for families with young kids. If your vehicle did not come with one installed, you can easily find an aftermarket model.
Modern back-up cameras are easy to use and relatively simple to install, either by a professional or by yourself. Once the back-up camera is in place, you’ll have much-needed peace of mind every time you move your car in and out of the driveway.
4. Music Player or Phone Mount
If your kids love music, adding a music player or phone mount to the back seat is a must. The kids can listen to their favourite tunes, while and you and your spouse can enjoy some grown-up entertainment in the front seat. Many new vehicles come with smartphone mounts and music players built-in, but there are plenty of aftermarket versions available as well. They are relatively inexpensive-and they can pay for themselves on your first long road trip.
5. Fold-Out Tray
A fold-out tray that fits between the seats on your car, minivan or SUV will make your next road trip less stressful, and possibly less costly as well. How so? Well, instead of eating unhealthy and expensive fast food at every meal, you can bring food from home and eat it on the road. What’s more, a tray table can provide a playing surface for cards and other travel games for older children in the rear seats.