ROAD RULES
Just because you've traded in your convertible for a hybrid SUV doesn't mean you can't trip the road fantastic with your family—just be sure to pack a few of our favorite road-warrior wares.

Back Up
Keep 'em busy... Klutz's Backseat Survival Kit, $19.95, a colorful, car-friendly collection of fun and games, comes with 100 pages worth of activities, puzzles and more, tucked into a handy vinyl pouch. Leaps and Bounds' Magnetic Backseat Travel Kit, with its 20-in-1 selection of retro amusements (checkers, tic-tac-toe, bingo) is a sweet alternative to high-tech gaming gear, $14.95.

Play Date
We know...the same old, same old flicks are wearing way thin. This summer, your kids can enjoy their favorite Nick Jr. friends in three new DVDs. Dora and Boots explore at the beach! Diego gets ready for some racing adventures! And Blue and Sprinkles play Little Red Riding Hood in her exciting new room! Just don't forget the portable DVD player.

Child's Play
Kushies Linko clip-together teethers and toys create an infinitely fascinating (to a baby) chain that—ta da—clips to safety seats. So you won't have to spend the car ride contorting to pick up baby's toys off the floor, $32.

Safety First
Speaking of which...ultra-chic strollers are one thing, but car seats? That's serious stuff. Only Recaro child safety seats benefit from over 30 years of racing experience. When it comes to the safety of your child, don't get cute-get Recaro.

Triple Treat
Designed with attach-anywhere handles, Giggle's stylish, striped essentials travel pod set was intended for strollers, we're sure. But they loop perfectly around your car's dry-cleaning handles—for easy access to diapers and baby wipes, bottles and binkies, $30.

Food For Thought
Avoid drive-thru desperation by tossing a few of Cookie's Cooler Pressed sandwiches into one of our innovative cooler picks (don't forget to pack water, fruit, string cheese and other healthy treats). Avoid messes (and time-wasting clothing changes) by securing Kipiis Bib Clips, $12, to your baby's shirt—they turn just about anything into a protective covering. And, avoid sit-down dining boredom by tucking colorful chalkboard placemats, $15.95 for two, into your tote.

Dirty Work
Caldrea's Sweet Pea Surface Wipes, $8 for 25, help mom face icky, sticky encounters, from rest stop counter tops to back seat messes—naturally. The plant-derived formula is chemical-free, and the subtle scent comes from orange and bergamot, among other essential oils.

Potty Talk
It can't be avoided—traveling with toilet trainers is tough. Do you put 'em in a diaper just in case? Or just say no and have them hold it in (and risk an accident)? Whatever you choose, be sure to toss a travel potty seat into the trunk (Cool Gear's version, $25, cleverly folds up into a small suitcase) and tuck in a piddle pad for "you're better safe than sorry" car seat protection, $7.99.