How to Organize a Minivan

Families use minivans as a home away from home.

Organize a minivan to make the best use of the time spent chauffeuring children, shopping for groceries and running errands. Some families spend hours a day in their minivans. Part of this time is spent just waiting for the children or stuck in a traffic jam. With a little planning, organizing and a few essential supplies, the minivan becomes a home away from home. Your family will be able to pay a few bills, grab a snack, read a book or change clothes while on the road or waiting in a parking lot.

Things You'll Need

• Zippered notebook
• Storage container
• Litter bag
• Back seat organizer
• Basket or large tote bag
• Tool box

Instructions

1. Take everything out of the mini van and place on a table or blanket on the ground. Throw away all the garbage that has accumulated. Sort the items that you want to keep stored in the van into piles. Organize the piles by categories such as toys, books, office supplies and clothes. Remove the items that will never be used. Create zones and spaces for all of the items that are left.

2. Place the important car papers, insurance information and maps in the glove box. Keep an umbrella, flashlight, a little spare change and a few simple tools, like a screwdriver and pliers, in the glove box.

3. Create a mini office with a zippered notebook or a three-ring binder. Place paper, pens, pencils, adhesive tape, mini stapler, scissors and paper clips in a pencil case made for three-ring binders. Place a few stamps, envelopes and thank you cards in a plastic sleeve. Store the binder under the passenger seat.

4. Hang a pocket organizer on the back of the front seat to store toys, books and DVDs. Place tissues and hand sanitizer in one of the pockets.

5. Use a large plastic tub with a cover to keep extra supplies. Stock the plastic tub with spare clothes, paper towels, a blanket, extra shopping bags, jackets, hats and gloves.

6. Keep a cooler in the van for transporting cold food items. Store a few snacks such as granola bars, pretzels, hard candy and bottled water for quick refreshments in the cooler.

7. Use a basket or large tote bag to carry things in and out of the van. Keep the basket handy to quickly gather up items that are going in or out of the van.

8. Organize a tool kit that always stays in the van. This kit should include a flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, jumper cables, duct tape, electrical tape, spare fuses and wire, such as a wire coat hanger.

9. Keep a garbage bag in the van. Each time you stop to fill up with gas, empty all of the garbage and trash from the van.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the van organized by cleaning daily.

• Keep a few spare diapers and a changing pad in the van if you have small children.

• Place a tissue box in the front seat and back seat of the van.

• Keep items secure and in containers. In an accident, flying objects are a danger.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Hidden Dangers in Your Car
• Edmunds: Vehicle Features That Keep You Organized
• Real Truck: Consoles and Organizers