A mother daughter bonding day went awry for Hollywood star Jennifer Garner after she locked her car keys in her Lexus, along with her two-year-old daughter Violet.

The actress was sent into a quite panic after piling the toddler into the back seat without realising she was clutching the only key.

But thankfully Violet proved rather obedient, and was freed from the vehicle after a few patient instructions about how to unlock the door from her mother.

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Oh no! Jennifer Garner locks her keys and her daughter in her Lexus during a shopping  trip to Brentwood

With the crisis averted, the pair happily carried on their shopping day with a visit to Brentwood Country Mart in California.

Jennifer, who is married to fellow silver screen star Ben Affleck, recently revealed the couple plan to expand their family - just not yet.

Asked when she plans to have more children, the 36-year-old replied: 'Sometime. I don't know. I have to think about that one.'

For now she is focusing on Violet, and of course, her successful film career.

She is currently working on the comedy This Side of Truth with director Ricky Gervais, and next up will film the rom com The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past with Matthew McConaughey.

Crisis averted! After following mum's instructions, Violet unlocked the car door