Ultimate Car Supply Kit (with Dollar Store Supplies)

Why is a Car Supply Kit Helpful?

It never fails that we’ll be out and I will need something that I either forgot to pack or never even thought to throw in the car.  I’m not talking about the usual suspects like money or my driver’s license.  Those things are usually with me.  I am talking about certain items that are really convenient to have in a time of need.  These items might include safety pins, an umbrella, a first aid kit, the list goes on!

You won’t need it… until you need it

Last year we were dropping Lily off for her annual march in a local Memorial Day Parade.  One of the other kids was having a wardrobe malfunction and her mom asked me if I had a sewing kit in my car.  I told her “no, I do not have a sewing kit in my car” to which she replied in a shocked tone, “REALLY?!  You’re always so prepared!  I figured if anyone had a sewing kit in her car, it would be YOU!”  That got me thinking. I mean sure, I’m typically prepared for our outings with things like snacks and sunscreen and such.  But as far as being super prepared for the unexpected?  NOPE!  I didn’t even have a first aid aid in my car!

We are almost always on the go.  We road trip, we camp, we are always taking the kids to their various activities.  It was high time that I put together an ULTIMATE SUPPLY KIT for my car.

While this is NOT what I would call an “EMERGENCY KIT,” those items are certainly important too. At the bottom of of this post, I will list some emergency kit essentials to consider keeping in your car.

Car Supply Kit Essentials

Let’s dig in! Here’s what you will find in our ultimate car supply kit.

First Aid Kit

I started with a First Aid Kit.  I put together a first aid kid using supplies from the dollar store.  You can find more details on that kit and get a free printable shopping list here.

After I put together the first aid kit, it was time to build my EVERYTHING BOX.  I should note – we also keep a spare change of clothes for the kids in the car in a separate bag.  This occurred the day after the Unfortunate Incident with Lemonade at Medieval Times that you might have learned about on my Facebook page. 

Your Everything Box might vary from mine, as it’s likely that your family has different needs and preferences than mine.  This list will still give you some great starter ideas for your own.  I basically tried to think of all of those little things that at some point in time, I needed and didn’t have while we were out and about. Then I asked Bob for his wish list of things that he has been caught without and combined them.

I picked up all of these items at the dollar store.

Here are the items that I included in our box (see printable list below if you want a copy): 

1. First Aid kit
2. mesh laundry bag
3. safety pins
4. tablecloth
5. napkins/paper plates/plastic utensils
6. snack bowls
7. rain poncho
8. umbrella
9. screwdriver set
10. bungee cords
11. toiletry items
12. electrical tape
13. Ziploc bags (different sizes)
14. trash bags
15. wipes
16. hand sanitizer
17. tissues
18. hair ties
19. twine
20. sewing kit
21. wrench
22. flashlight
23. extra cell phone car charger

Funny story – yesterday was the first time we went out and had this box in our car.  We spent the day at a horse show where Lily rode in the morning and we watched some jumping classes in the afternoon.  

JUST YESTERDAY we used FOUR different things from our box that we would not have had otherwise.  We used a plastic bag to make an ice pack for a boo boo, the hand sanitizer after we realized the port-o-potty dispenser was empty, a bungee cord to secure our cooler and a snack bag in our wagon and finally a trash bag to clean up after our lunch!!

Here is a list that you can save and print to make your own box.  Add in or take out anything that is/is not a good fit for your family:

Let me know if you end up making an Everything Box for your own car!  We have two cars but I made one box and we’ll just swap it between the two vehicles as needed.

Car Emergency Kit Essentials

Roadside Emergency Kits: If you want to make sure you have emergency supplies on hand, consider the following items, perhaps in a kit of their own (an emergency car kit). There is nothing worse than being a stranded motorist on the side of the road. Add some of these common survival items to your emergency roadside kits, just in case you find yourself stuck on a highway somewhere:

• Fleece Blanket
• Emergency blanket (thermal)
• Gloves
• Jumper Cables
• Ice Scraper
• Road flare
• Collapsible shovel
• Rags or paper towels
• Socks
• Tow Rope or Tow strap
• Tire pressure gauge
• Seatbelt cutter (get a dual function one that is also a window breaker)
• Zip ties
• Granola bars or protein bars
• Hand warmers
• Car fire extinguisher
• Glow light stick

I hope that these suggestions are helpful to you as you put your own car supplies together! What are YOUR must-have items? Do you keep something in your car that I missed on my list? Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me about it.

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