Many families dream of taking a long road trip to really immerse their children in a country’s different cultures. However, the thought of being in a car with young children strapped into car seats can often make parents reconsider. We’re here to tell you that it IS possible and so many other families are doing it (and having fun!) Check out our tips below on staying sane on road trips with your family.
Stay Calm and Composed
If you want to have a fun trip, then you’ll have to focus on staying calm through the trip. For some this means making sure everything is completely organized, and for others it may mean planning out games and doling out new toys during the ride. This is key to staying sane on road trips with young kids. Whatever it is you need to do, spend some thinking about it in advance of the trip so you can easily find your happy place when your toddler starts complaining (for the tenth time).
Arrange Your Car
We all have our cars set up in a way that works best for school pick-ups and dropoffs and everyday errands. But consider the best way to arrange seats for a long trip. That might mean separating kids so they feel like they have more personal space. Or taking out a seat so you can place essentials (like snacks and wipes) in an easily reachable spot. Remember, your kids will be eating, napping, and playing in the car so do what you can to maximize their comfort level (including packing a blanket or favorite stuffed animal). And we all know the car will be trashed at the end of the trip, but don’t let that stop you from getting a car wash BEFORE your trip!
Keep It Clean and Safe
The last thing you want is your car to smell like fast food for hours from your last stop. Keep a garbage bag readily accessible and empty it at every stop. Make a box to pack paper towels, wipes and tissues so you can quickly clean up any mess (and there WILL be a mess). Avoid sticky food and pack a small hand vacuum if you plan on giving toddlers crackers. Make sure you’re safe and have a first aid kit as well as essentials for any roadside emergencies.
Pack Snacks. Lots of Snacks.
We know you’re planning on stopping for meals along the way, but for some reason kids get extra hungry while sitting in the car for long periods of time. Have each kid pack their lunchbox with favorite snacks they can grab on their own. Pack a cooler for the whole family with veggies, fruits and drinks. Stay hydrated but avoid guzzling down drinks during the drive to minimize unnecessary bathroom breaks. Also, as much as we know your kids will be thrilled to get candy and sugary sweets, avoid them because the last thing you want is hyper children on a long drive!
Don’t Rush the Journey
You may have done this road trip as a single person in the past in a single day, but don’t expect to do the same with little ones coming along. Expect to stop often (every 2-3 hours) for bathroom breaks, food breaks or just to stretch your legs. Take advantage of the stops to throw a ball around or let the kids run free. Or use an app to find interesting or scenic stops along the way so you kill two birds with one stone. And if everything seems to be falling apart, be flexible and don’t worry about changing the plans you made. Sometimes you’ll have to call it an early day and find the nearest hotel with a pool and let the kids jump in!
Plan Some Entertainment
We’re not saying you have to entertain your kids for every minute of the trip, but think through how your kids are going to stay happy for hours. This may mean packing bags of coloring books, word searches and mad libs. Or it could mean an iPad for each child with individual headphones. Or a combination of both! Give yourself lots of options and use them accordingly based on the time of day and what you need from the children (like having your older ones stay quiet while the younger one naps). And don’t forget chargers!
Enjoy the Adult Time
This entire article has focused on keeping the kids happy, but don’t forget about you and your partner! Turn the road trip into a date between the two of you while the kids nap or watch a movie. Listen to a great playlist or sip on some coffee while you get a rare chance to talk to each other. Or you can get in a short nap or read a book while your partner drives!
We hope you’re now convinced that you can master staying sane on road trips, regardless of how young your children are. So much of it comes down to organizing and planning, but also being calm and flexible. Do you have any great tips to share with our readers? Let us know below!
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