Car Organizers For Kids

[lucyem]

We take a yearly drive to FL. That puts us in the car 2-3 days each way. We eat in the car while driving as well as tons of other activities from playing the ds to coloring and toys. Then of course we have pillows and blankets. Needless to say by the time we reach our destination the back seat is a trash filled junk pile. I fear for a crash and stuff flying all over. Someone gave me a set of rules for travel and I am working on the kids with these. 1. If one has to pee we all pee and 2. If you get out of the car you take trash with you. Those do help

OK so back to organizers. So far we have depended on backpacks on the floor but I found I spent a lot of time trying to un-wedge them from behind the seat and digging stuff out. Another problem we have is a lack of flat surface for things like coloring. What have other people used that work or do not work?

I was online and found this one, I like it because it has handles and I can bring it inside when we get to our vacation and clean it and then use it for storage. Both my boys will have their own pockets for stuff. The inside is divided in half:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2TBDGJEUH5S52



Does anyone know of any good organizers with trays that hang on the back of the front seat? One big enough for a 5 yr old to reach from his seat? I have seen lap trays but those seem bulky enough I can see it being flung around a bit and more of a pain and taking up space then useful. On the other hand they work....

Another thought I had was trying to locate a trash bin for the floor. One that can fit over the hump in the middle. Having just a bag means it often disappears under the mess overnight. I was thinking something with hard sides and stuck to the floor might keep it more accessible. Plus I can keep a stash of small bags with it so when my older son gets out he can just grab the trash bag to throw.

Does anyone else have any other ideas or thoughts?

Thanks!

[newbymom05]

I would try cross-posting this in Decluttering and Organizing.

[NiteNicole]

One Step Ahead (and I think there's another one for slightly older kids? Try the One Step Ahead site) usually has a lot of car-organizer stuff.

[hopefulfaith]

I popped in to second the One Step Ahead website. They have a bunch of car stuff!

[leighi123]

A few things:

If your kids are reaching to the floor, or even to the seat in front of them depending on how far forward they are, its not a good idea. In boosters they should not be leaning out of place, and in a 5pt, they wouldnt be able to.

The link you posted looks alright, but does it attach to the car anyway (like a loop to buckle it in the center seatbelt?), b/c it will be a projectile in a crash otherwise. Remember anything in your car that is not strapped down or contained, will fly around the car in a crash. If its an item you wouldnt want to throw at your child's face, it shouldnt be loose in the car.

Those lap trays - some are very scary: http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/...mSource=Search
Can you imagine what would happen in a crash? Big heavy plastic right at the child's gut level. Not good.

But this one:
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/...mSource=Search
Soft foam so a much safer choice (but them saying its crash tested is stupid, b/c there are no crash test standards for aftermarket products)

Also, you cannot use pillows in the car. Leaning out of position in order to use one is not safe. Blankets are fine ON TOP of carseats/boosters.

[lucyem]

If your kids are reaching to the floor, or even to the seat in front of them depending on how far forward they are, its not a good idea. In boosters they should not be leaning out of place, and in a 5pt, they wouldnt be able to.

Thats why I am looking for something on the seat.

The link you posted looks alright, but does it attach to the car anyway (like a loop to buckle it in the center seatbelt?), b/c it will be a projectile in a crash otherwise. Remember anything in your car that is not strapped down or contained, will fly around the car in a crash. If its an item you wouldnt want to throw at your child's face, it shouldnt be loose in the car.

Yes the one I posted does attach to a seatbelt in the center




Those lap trays - some are very scary: http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/...mSource=Search
Can you imagine what would happen in a crash? Big heavy plastic right at the child's gut level. Not good.

But this one:
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/...mSource=Search
Soft foam so a much safer choice (but them saying its crash tested is stupid, b/c there are no crash test standards for aftermarket products)

These are concerns which is why I am asking what people have used successfully. I need ideas.


Also, you cannot use pillows in the car. Leaning out of position in order to use one is not safe. Blankets are fine ON TOP of carseats/boosters.


I am well aware of this. We bring our own pillows on all trips for use when we do go into hotels and I use one to sleep while DH is driving. Kids have built in head supports on their seats.