As parents, most of us understand that children can be a handful. This is true throughout everyday life and all the fun activities that we love to do with our kids. If you are planning a road trip with your children, you’ve probably discovered that long drives and traveling with children can present some additional challenges.
Why Take a Road Trip with Kids?
Road trips are unique opportunities to make memories as a family. Think back to your childhood, some of your most fun experiences can likely be attributed to backseat drives and stops along the highway for new adventures rather than sitting in front of the TV. Taking your child on the road for a holiday will help provide them with similar memories. Road trips may also save your family money on airfare and other travel related expenses.
Tips for Packing for a Road Trip with Kids
Children have a lot of things they need in order to stay both clean and occupied during the day. This is especially true while on a road trip. Additionally, anyone who has taken a road trip understands that organisation is very important to a successful road trip. When you’re planning your road trip, consider where your child will be located in the vehicle and how many hours you expect they will spend in the car each day. Doing so will allow you to divide their belongings appropriately between the trunk and the more accessible back seat.
Consider purchasing your child their own small piece of kids luggage to keep his or her belongings separated from yours. Also be sure to use bags with lots of pockets and storage available for snacks, beverages, nappies if necessary, books, toys, cleaning supplies and other essentials they may require along the way.
Tips for Keeping Your Children Busy During Road Trips
One of the most fun aspects of taking a road trip as a family can be the silly games, songs and other experiences that occur in the car – in between sites and stops. When you are planning an adventure with your children, try to plan games and similar activities that the whole family can enjoy.
Ask your children to play games like “I spy” along the way, count the number of a certain colour car they pass on the highway, or pack their favorite sing along music for the ride. For those times when some children may be sleeping or less stimulation is needed, pack interactive activities for the others, such as colouring books, magnet games or other entertainment for your children.
Another great thing to keep them entertained and improve their education is to help them practice what they’re learning at school/kindy. Whether it’s counting, going through their abcs, practicing times tables etc. All of this can help to pass time, and make sure they stay on top of their learning.
Road trips can be fun experiences for the entire family when properly planned for. Be sure to take just as much time planning the in-the-car activities as you do the out-of-the-car stops and you’ll be sure to make memories for a lifetime.
