MessMaker Contest!

Have an especially messy car? Did those snacks you made for the ride to the park end up more on the floor? Did the juice box become a toy? When it comes to car pooling kids around there is always a mess being made in the car, but now you can win something for it!

Blink is an amazing new product that is helping you deal with all the clutter, spills, and smudges in your car. With the launch of their products they are holding a contest for the best "messmaker" picture. Send a photo of your little ones making a mess in your car and you could win a $5,000 digital photo package that includes two digital cameras, a video camera, and a photo printer! 59 runners up will receive a supply of Blink products to help stop those car disasters. Click here to enter!

Also, here are my best tips for keeping your car a haven and not a container of chaos.

•    Use collapsible trunk storage bins to organize emergency kit items as well as sports equipment for your kids. They hold things in place and transport easily.

•    Have small trash bags on hand and within reach for used juice boxes, snacks, trash, and even wet kid’s clothes.

•    If you have an infant or toddler, keep an emergency diaper bag stocked with diapers, wipes, an extra outfit, a juice box, formula and bottles or nursing needs, and children’s Tylenol in your car.

•    Invest in a backseat organizer designed with older kids in mind. They can hold everything from juice boxes and healthy snacks to CD players and small games. 

•    Pre-pack a bag for each activity your child participates in regularly and have it in the vehicle. 

•    Designate a few toys special “car toys” that stay in a small tote bag beneath your child’s car seat.

•    Instead of carrying a big roll of paper towels in your vehicle, take advantage of products that absorb spills and removes stains, and clip to your dash board or backseat pocket.

•    Stash menus from the top three area restaurants in the glove box for calling in orders on the go on those days when carpools or work leave you no time to cook.

•    Keep a small booklet in your glove box that can hold your owner’s manual, registration and proof of insurance inside of it, as well as any emergency contact numbers you may need. Hide a small amount of cash in it as well to have on-hand if needed.

Image: Blink