Do you cringe at the thought of a long road trip with the kids? Stop the backseat battles and the constant “are we there yet?” with the following ways to make a family car journey more enjoyable.
Decide on the Best Travel Time
What part of the day is easiest for your family to travel? If you don’t mind driving in the dark, leaving in the middle of the night may be the answer. This is especially true if the children are toddlers or infants. If your child still takes afternoon naps, that could be a good time to leave for a shorter road trip. Sleeping children means less or no interruptions. Another option is to leave extra early before the sun comes up while kids are still in sleep mode.
Craft and Activity Bags
Pack the electronics in the truck and use travel time to spark your child’s imagination and develop creativity. Help them pack a few favorite toys that encourage creative play like toy cars and puppets. Pack some user-friendly craft items like paper for origami folding, pipe cleaners for sculpting, and beads to make friendship bracelets.
Tinted Car Windows
Tinted car windows will give the driver more safety by reducing glare and help keep the whole family cooler and more comfortable. You’ll also enjoy the privacy car window tinting provides.
Put an Adult in the Back
Most families have mom and dad sit up front while the kids take the back seat. Why not put an adult in the back for part of the trip? They can use the time to play travel games, chat, and bond with the children. If there is more than one child, riding “shotgun” can be a reward. After a while, let the other child have a turn.
Plan for Breaks
Make rest stops work for you rather than leave them to chance. Research your route for roadside attractions like state and county parks, museums, historic sites, and fun places to grab a snack. The trick is to find open spaces and places to burn off energy. Plot them out on an old fashioned folding map and let the kids try to predict when you will arrive there. They will learn some important mapping skills.
These tips and tricks for road trips with kids will replace anxiety with excitement, and you will all have fond memories of your journeys.
