Family Travel Forum - Car Seat Accessories for Kids' Comfort

City dwellers might be more apt to sympathize than some of you rough-and-tumble suburbanites when I reveal my extreme lack of proficiency at putting the baby in the car for a trip. Not using a car on a daily, or even weekly basis, I am unfamiliar with the tricks of the trade. We all know parents who have mastered the art of "baby-driving". You know the ones, one hand on the steering wheel, the other masterfully retrieving the pacifier from the diaper bag, then, with the skill and flexibility of a practiced contortionist, plunking it between their crying baby's anxious lips. For those of us who are less adept and more concerned with the road before us, there are products which make the drive a lot easier. All are available from the nifty Family On Board catalog (800/793-2075)

The Side Rider Organizer ($6) is a clip-on storage basket for sippy cup, crayons, sunglasses, and other paraphernalia to be kept close at hand. For even more storage plus back-of-the-seat protection from muddy little scuff marks, try the Stuff n Scuff Seat Protector Organizer ($10). This washable and waterproof pouch folds into the back-of-the-seat pocket for easy storage.

The nifty little portable Taby Travel Tray ($21; 9 months+)—like a high chair without the chair—solves that endless problem of groping for dropped binkies, books and blocks. The tray fastens securely to any carseat (or stroller), guaranteeing a sturdy, steady surface for holding toys and snacks. An added bonus is a little cup indentation in the tray that is exactly the right size to hold a bottle or sippy-cup. Although the tray is easy to attach, it may wobble a little, especially if your child is restless or simply weary of car-seat confinement.

A choice for entertainment is the Store n Stuff Creativity Kit Desk ($17; 4-10 years), a drawing table that fits larger laps comfortably, whether in a booster seat or on a hotel room bed. Its colorful plastic removable storage bin holds non-toxic markers, crayons, color pencils, ruler, eraser and sharpener.

Finally, for sleepy children on late-night drives, try the Critter Pillar Kids Neck Pillow ($10), available in different stuff animals such as dogs, cats, pandas, snakes, and much more. Happy Travels!

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