Family Car Organization Tips and Must-Haves

As parents, we know how the family car becomes a second home. Between carpooling, errands, and family trips, it’s easy to spend a lot of time together and bond with your little ones. 

Also read: Embrace the Magic of Fall: Tips and Inspiration for Fun Family Outings

However, it’s also easy for a clean and tidy car to turn into a chaotic mess after a week of driving around. Staying organized in a confined space can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! 

Here’s a guide on car organization hacks, and the types of car organizers you’ll need to keep your car orderly and stress-free. 

Why you need to organize your car

A well-organized car helps you save your sanity in more ways than one. It makes car rides more enjoyable for everyone, and sometimes, driving a freshly cleaned car puts you in a better mood. 

Besides that, a car organizer also keeps your baby’s essentials in one place. You won’t be wasting precious minutes looking for lost items under seats or in the trunk of your car. For example, if you need to change your baby’s diaper ASAP, you can grab what you need in a diaper caddy for your car. 

A third reason why you need to organize your car is your family’s safety. Loose objects can become dangerous projectiles during sudden stops, and keeping them in the seatback pockets or car organizers helps prevent falling hazards during your drives.  

 

 

@annashieldss Systems have saved my sanity and freed me up to be such a happier mom! If you have any tips or things that work for you leave them here!!! We can all use the inspiration 🙏 #thatmom #atomichabits #becomingher #organizedcar #momcar ♬ TEXAS HOLD 'EM - Beyoncé

 

How do I clean and organize my car?

1. Start with a deep clean

Before setting up your car organizers or other accessories, clean your car. Remove all the items from inside (e.g. toys, snacks, clothes, baby gear, etc.), and throw out any loose trash like empty plastic bottles or snack wrappers. 

Next, properly clean your car: Vacuum the seats and floor and wipe down surfaces like the inside of your windows, steering wheel, and inside cup holders. 

2. Sort and prioritize what stays in the car 

Think about what you need to keep in your car for you and your children. 

For parents:

• An extra shirt or pair of pants (in case your clothes get dirty while you’re out)
• A pair of comfy shoes or slippers (broken shoe emergencies are no joke)
• A jacket or an outer layer like a coat or cardigan  
• Snacks (duh!)
• A refillable bottle of water
• Other car accessories (e.g. phone holders or personal car trinkets) 
• An emergency first-aid kit 

For your baby:

• Baby wipes (keep a pack in the glove compartment for emergencies!)
• Diapers and a changing pad 
• Your baby’s comfort items or toys
• An extra set of baby clothes (e.g. hats, shirts, pants, and onesies)
• Your baby’s feeding items (e.g. their bibs and bottles)

While it may be tempting to add a lot of things to your car, do take note of how often you’ll use certain items. Only the most necessary items should remain in the car, and you can save the others for your diaper bag or your bag.

 

@smallishhome Long car trip this summer? Organizing the back seat with everything kids might need (including allll the snacks) is the key to a peaceful trip for all! #carorganization #parentsoftiktok #organizationhacks #asmr ♬ original sound - Lisa

 

3. Choose the right car organizers 

There are a few types of car organizers that will help you keep your car organized. Here are some of our personal favorites: 

a. Backseat organizers

Backseat organizers are perfect for keeping kids’ items within easy reach. They attach to the back of the driver’s or passenger’s seat and have multiple compartments for toys, books, snacks, and even electronic devices. Some have clear tablet holders to keep kids entertained with movies during longer trips.

b. Trunk organizers

The trunk can easily become a dumping ground for random items, but a good trunk organizer helps keep everything in place. Opt for one with multiple compartments to store grocery bags, sports gear, your baby’s items like the stroller, or emergency supplies. 

c. Car hooks

For families with two or more kids, car hooks can be a game-changer. Not only do they clear out floor space, but they also can hold things you can hang: Jackets, hats, toys, and even reusable shopping bags! They also help if your trunk’s full with your grocery bags or your luggage for a trip. 

On top of car hooks, you can use our BabbleRoo multipurpose stroller hooks for your car too! They’re durable with a strong velcro strap and can hold up to 13 lbs (6kg) in weight for heavier items.

d. Seat gap fillers

Ever lost your phone, keys, Airpods, or even snacks in that annoying gap between the car seats? We get it, so we’re including seat gap fillers in our list of car organizers. They’re small inserts that fit snugly in between the seats and the center console, preventing items from slipping into hard-to-reach areas.

 

 

@mama_mila_ The simple trick that will keep your car organised for longer 🙌 this has made the biggest difference to our car - hope its helpful lovelies x #carorganization #carcleaning #cleaninghacks #organisationtips #mamamilastips #homehacks ♬ Sia - Xeptemper

 

e. A diaper caddy

For your baby’s items, you can store them in a diaper caddy — it’s a portable basket that you can keep in your car to keep your backseat or trunk organized. A huge tip that helped many parents is to organize and keep items in the same category, like feeding on one side and diapering on the other. 

For that reason, we created our BabbleRoo diaper caddy to be more spacious and customizable with removable dividers and lids. It’s also easy to store in your car and easy to clean in case your baby or toddler spills their drink on the road. 

So, when you need to bring your caddy out with you, just grab the handle and go — it’s that easy! Or, store it in your car to make sure you’re stocked up for diaper changes on the go. 

P.S. You can also store toys and snacks in your diaper caddy! ;)

Also read: How To Organize A Diaper Caddy (+ Diaper Caddy Essentials)

4. Create a fun cleaning routine with the kids

For families who want to ensure a more tidy car, set up a regular cleaning schedule. Whether it’s once a week or biweekly, spare a few hours of your time to remove trash, tidy up the organizers, and rotate toys and snacks. 

If you’d like a little help, get the kids involved too! Make it a family activity where the kids can tidy up their usual space in the backseat. Whether it’s a toy, a diaper, or a snack, make sure each item has a designated space — this helps everyone know where to put things. 

 

 

@annatwinsies Wondering how long it will take my twins to turn our new family car into a mess🤪 Btw did you like our car halloween decorations 👻🦇 I think it’s cute! ☺️ #momcar #carorganization #momcarcleaning ♬ Chasing Highs - Sped Up Version - ALMA

 

On a different note, if you’re a working parent who hasn’t gotten enough time to clean your car, you can also send your car to the car wash. You can also bring the kids along on a drive-through car wash for some extra fun bonding time. 

Bonus: Get a portable trash can for your car

A portable trash can or bag is a must-have to reduce trash like snack wrappers or used wipes. It will reduce clutter and make it easier to maintain a clean car. 

Conclusion: Focus on a car that works for you

Car organization hacks don’t have to be complicated — focus on what works for you. Figure out what you need in your car and choose the right car organizers that will store your items. Whether it’s a diaper caddy or trusty car hooks, here’s how you can keep your car clean and organized.