Hey Y’all! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend – I know we did. Don’t think I forgot the end of my last post. That was just part 1 and here is part 2 – the travel essentials. I’m sure that most of you know, making your kiddo as comfortable as possible on a trip can make a huge difference. That’s why I’m happy to share a few things that have helped us a lot these last couple of years. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Let’s start with the basics. We mostly do road trips and you need a good car seat that’s safe and comfortable for your little one. We went with the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Baby Car Seat. It has great safety ratings, it's AFFORDABLE, and it was pretty easy to clean. Oh, Corbyn likes it too. I like how it changes from rear-facing to front-facing when he gets older and we can keep it rear-facing longer than most other car seats.

2. Speaking of car rides, we knew we needed something to keep Corbyn entertained. That's where this badass car seat organizer came in handy. We stack this thing full with toys, books, and anything else that we need. Plus we can buckle in the organizer so that it doesn't move around. These are the books I like to stuff in the organizer - the first 100 board books series. Corbyn can't get enough of these. Don't get me wrong, I've had one or two come flying at my head on a drive before but for the most part, he loves reading them.

3. But for longer trips, we get to the tablet at some point. The Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet is great and should be going on sale during Prime Day in a few days - I'm pretty sure ours was 50% off. I know before we had Corbyn, Beth and I would say things like "We won't bring a tablet out to dinner for our kids." We were wrong - plain and simple. Sometimes you just need to enjoy a ride or a meal and having a distraction like that is okay. Don't judge other parents and know that most other parents aren't judging you. And the ones that are can kick rocks.

4. For the road trip, you'll need something to keep that tablet in place and that's where this headrest tablet holder comes in clutch. It stays securely attached to the headrest and the tablet stays in place so that Corbyn can watch his movies.

5. Speaking of electronics, they always need to stay charged. I'm a big fan of portable chargers (we've always called them bricks) for tablets, phones, anything. These portable charges from VRURC are my favorite - we have two. You plug them into the wall to charge, they last for a couple of days without a charge, and it works for the tablet, my Android, and Beth's iPhone (and more).

6. While on the road, Corbyn likes a good snack or two - I mean, who doesn't? After several trips, we found these Mini Bento Boxes work great for road trips. We can put a PB&J in part, some veggies or cheese or anything else in the rest and Corbyn can hold it himself. He loves the independence of the tray for eating and it's super easy to clean and pack. Don't forget the water either. I always opt for his stainless steel water bottle on trips because it's less destructible (I mean, it still has a dent or two). Corbyn is a big fan of this Dinosaur Roar Water Bottle because dinosaurs, monster trucks, and Toy Story are his favorite things :)

7. Once we get to our destination, I'm a big fan of setting up Corbyn's room so he can get a good night's sleep. We discovered the SlumberPod Blackout Tent after staying in a hotel room with Corbyn for the first time. I'm sure you've seen the new Airbnb commercial about your own bedtime. Well, Beth and I were definitely super quiet and under the covers with our phones that first time in a hotel room with Corbyn. This blackout tent changed all future hotel stays. We can set Corbyn up, put him to bed with his favorite blanket and some stuffed animals (don't forget to bring those), and we still get to watch a movie and keep a light on. This portable sound machine comes in handy for sleep too - both in the car and at a hotel.

8. I'm a Dad-Wagon type of guy. They're practical and cool - God I just aged a decade writing that sentence, I think some more gray hairs just sprung out of my head. But for real, these wagons are sweet. Here's the one we use - Mac Sports Wagon with Folding Table and Drink Holders. I can take it on the streets, to the beach, to a park or zoo - I can take it anywhere. And there's enough room for Corbyn, a small cooler, and other essentials. One day we will upgrade to a bigger Dad Wagon, but for now, this wagon is great! Oh, Corbyn loves to bring his little wagon too :)

9. Lastly, I always make sure that my diaper bag is packed and ready in case Beth isn't with us or doesn't have her bag. As I'm sure many dads have noticed, there aren't many masculine - dare I say "Burly" - diaper bags on the market. That's why I was stoked to find this Diaper Bag from Eddie Bauer. It's gender-neutral, it holds everything, it won't break the bank, and it fits on my large back. What more could I want?

Well if you've made it this far, I hope that you find some of these items useful. I know that blogs, Instagram, and social media in general can make things seem like a fairy tale, and know that they're not. I struggle to put the SlumberPod tent up. I get frustrated with things every day - especially on trips. Be nice to yourself, your partner, your kiddos, and everyone else. You don't have to be perfect but make sure you're present.

The Burly Dad

P.S. This is the Dad Wagon I mentioned. And here are the hats that Corbyn is wearing if you're interested. The cooler backpack is also clutch!