Overlanding with kids is an adventure in every sense of the word. There’s the wide-open joy—watching our youngest chase bugs barefoot through a meadow, or hearing our teenager call dibs on spotting the next dispersed campsite. But there’s also the chaos: lost wipes, snack mutinies, and the inevitable “I HAVE TO GO” when we’re still miles from a bathroom.

When we’re road-tripping in our Subaru Forester—heading out for weekend escapes that dip onto dirt roads and out-of-service zones—space is limited, and what we pack has to pull its weight. After a handful of these trips—some smooth, some survivable—we’ve figured out a rhythm. Not perfect, not Pinterest-pretty, but functional.

These are the things we bring every time now. Not because someone told us to, but because we’ve lived the meltdown without them.

The Organizer That Ended the “Where’s My Stuff?” Game

Before we started packing smarter, the inside of the car always ended up looking like a tornado hit a daycare. Toys under the seat. Granola bars sliding into door pockets. Chargers mysteriously disappearing into the toddler’s shoes. It was a mess—until we got intentional with storage.

Now, every seat has a purpose and a pocket. Our four-year-old has a seatback organizer stocked with his essentials: a water bottle that won’t leak, two toy cars, a mini coloring pad, a stuffy, and—just in case—a couple of emesis bags tucked into the side pouch. Because, let’s be honest: no one wants to be digging for a plastic bag in a panic. Everything is visible, within reach, and right where it belongs.

Our teen appreciates having his own space too—not just for function, but for independence. He loads his organizer with headphones, snack stash, headlamp, maps, and whatever random thing he thinks he needs for “vibes.” No one’s reaching over into anyone else’s stuff. No one’s frustrated about “where it went.”

We use the 23ZERO Rider Seat Organizer. It’s MOLLE-backed and built like it belongs in an overlanding rig (because it kind of does). Even when we hit washboard roads or take unexpected turns, everything stays put—and that alone makes it worth the real estate behind the seats.

Bathrooms, Reimagined (Because Timing Is Never Perfect)

I used to think we could tough it out and use public restrooms or just find a tree. Then our son needed to go at a trailhead with no privacy and our teenager looked mortified at the suggestion of “just use the woods.” That’s when I realized: a family off-grid trip without a bathroom plan is asking for trouble.

We upgraded to the VEVOR Portable Flush Toilet, and it’s become one of the most appreciated things we pack. It’s compact enough to slide into the rear storage when we’re driving, but once we’re at camp, it becomes the MVP. It’s got a pressurized flush, a sealed tank that doesn’t smell, and a carry case that keeps setup easy.

Of course, there are moments when you don’t have time to unpack the whole toilet setup—like when your toddler urgently needs to pee right now. For those times, we also keep a Pee Sport bottle tucked into the door pocket. It’s not glamorous, but it gets the job done in a pinch and has absolutely saved our sanity more than once.

We also bring a pop-up privacy tent. Not fancy, but it creates a space where both kids feel comfortable and we don’t have to get creative with tree coverage at dusk. Honestly, the bathroom setup isn’t just about comfort—it gives us flexibility. We can stop almost anywhere, camp where there’s no facilities, and keep the rhythm of the day moving without panic.

Camp Chairs That Actually Get Used

There’s a world of difference between chairs you pack and chairs people want to sit in. For years, we lugged the same folding chairs to every campsite—too tall for the toddler, too stiff for the teen, and too annoying for me to fold. They mostly sat in the back, unused.

Now? Every person has their own chair—and they use it.

Our little guy has his kid-sized camp chair, which is low to the ground, sturdy, and has a cup holder for his water bottle or mystery pinecone collection. He sets it up on his own and feels so proud having a “big kid” seat that’s sized just right.

Our teenager has completely claimed the GCI RoadTrip Rocker. It rocks without tipping, folds flatter than most, and is surprisingly lightweight for how comfortable it is. He’ll sit and read, help prep dinner, or just hang out while we unpack. When everyone has a space to relax, camp settles down faster. Evenings become peaceful instead of chaotic.

Charging Stations = Modern Essentials

We’re not glued to screens when we’re off the grid—but we do rely on our devices for safety and sanity. Phones double as navigation, weather radars, cameras, and yes—flashlights when someone’s headlamp dies (again).

We’ve learned not to mess around with battery anxiety. We bring either the Jackery Explorer 300 or Anker 521 PowerHouse, depending on how long we’ll be out and what we’re powering. Both are small enough to stash behind the driver’s seat. Yet, powerful enough to charge all the essentials, and durable enough to survive some dust and jostling.

We also pack a labeled pouch with every type of cable we might need (USB-C, micro, Lightning). That tiny prep step has saved more stress than I can count. Because “the charger’s not here” is not something you want to hear when it’s getting dark and the only map is on your phone.

The Snack & Sanity Bin (Strategically Placed Between the Kids)

This bin has earned its place—not just because it’s useful, but because it prevents the little things from becoming big problems.

We keep it between our toddler’s car seat and the teen. That center space becomes a shared zone: a portable pantry, boredom buster, and peacekeeper in one. It holds snacks (both grab-and-go and emergency backups), mini games, travel tissues, first-aid stuff, and a few extras like wet wipes and TP rolls that never seem to be where you need them.

The MULISOFT seat organizer is great if you want compartments and cupholders. The High Road CarHop is simpler but still holds more than you’d expect. Both let us pack once, access easily, and avoid the dreaded “I’m huuungry” when we’re 30 minutes from stopping.

And yes, it gives each kid some physical space. Fewer elbows. Fewer arguments. And more calm.

Final Thought

Overlanding with kids—whether you’re a few hours from home or chasing dirt roads across the state—requires flexibility, patience, and gear that actually solves problems. We don’t bring more than we need and we don’t rely on perfect weather or paved sites. We just bring these few tools that help our boys stay comfortable, feel independent, and enjoy the adventure with us.

This is the setup we return to again and again—fitting into our Forester, packing tight, and letting us explore with a little more confidence (and a lot fewer complaints).

Want to see how we pack the rest of our rig for weekend trips? Check out our full Overlanding Gear Checklist: Essentials You’ll Be Glad You Packed to see how we stash everything—from camp chairs to kitchen kits—with ease and purpose.

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