Road Trips with Young Kids - Tips and Tricks for a Peaceful Journey
Road Trips are a great vacation option. It gives you the chance to get out on the open road, see the country, and take things at your own pace. But, a road trip with young kids is a completely different animal and it takes a little more advance planning to ensure your road trip goes as smoothly as possible.
Parents know that even a few hours in the car with young children can be challenging. It’s a challenge to your patience and a challenge to keep the kids occupied. This is why some parents dread being in the car with their kids for an extended period of time. Kids easily become restless and there is nowhere to go.
There is some good news!
Over the years, savvy parents have come up with many tips and tricks to keep the kids occupied during road trips and cut down on the dreaded "Are we there yet?" question. Try using these tips and tricks on your next road trip with the kids:
- Wear the kids out before departing: A quick trip to the park can do wonders. Spending 30-45 minutes playing and expending some energy before you leave should set your child up for a nice nap when you hit the road.
- Drive at night: Many parents have realized that starting their road trip in the evening or at their child’s bed time allow for a more peaceful start to the trip. If you leave in the evening, it’s more likely that your kids will fall asleep shortly after you get on the highway.
- Load up the snacks: Having snacks onboard is essential. Plan ahead and put together a bag of healthy snacks for the trip.
- Don’t forget the cleaning supplies: Kids are messy – So, be prepared and have some cleaning supplies handy for when they spill. And they will make a mess - it’s only a matter of what they spill and how long into the trip it will take for the spill to occur.
- Plan stops around your kid’s needs: We all know adults can drive for hours on end. But, it’s not the same with kids. You will likely need to plan a few extra stops along the way just to give your kids a chance to get out of the car and stretch their legs. Therefore, consider making stops in child friendly locations where they can burn off some energy.
- Don’t forget the activities: Having toys and activities to keep your kids occupied is essential for a fun and enjoyable road trip. Load up their favorite toys, books, coloring books, and anything else that you think will keep them occupied.
- Play road trip games: From “I Spy”, to “The Alphabet Game”, “Name That Song” and even card games, there is no shortage of games you can play with your kids.
- Pack the electronics: Parents are lucky today. Technology has made it much easier to keep the kids occupied. From portable DVD players to iPods, Tablets, handheld games, and more, there are lots of electronic devices that your kids can use to keep occupied.
What tips and tricks do you use to keep your kids occupied in the car on road trips?
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