Tips for Road trips with Kids

Kids aren’t really designed to sit still for extended periods of time…which they’re sure to remind you every few minutes throughout your road trip! Whilst stopping for breaks regularly (every hour if possible) may seem like you’re forever stopping and not really getting anywhere fast, remember that whilst we’re all eager to get where we’re going, the holiday begins for your kids when you leave home: not when you reach your destination.

Portable DVD Players are a definite godsend; particularly if you’re unable to stop as often as the kids would like. Just ensure you lay down the ground rules before using them: for example, if you only want them used for one movie per day, or who’s choosing the movie, etc. I’ve discovered that having something new to watch for the trip isn’t always a great idea…sometimes the reliable old favourites are the best option! 😉

Snacks are a great way to keep kids busy. Like us parents, when kids are bored they tend to eat a lot more than when they’re occupied. It’s a good idea to pack plenty of snacks, as not only will you save money by not buying food along the way, you’ll also have control over the sugar content that your child will be consuming. I find this makes a big difference and will make or break your road trip: a child hyped up on sugary processed foods is a lot less likely to be content to remain stationary for, well, any period of time!

Also ensure your kids drink plenty of water to avoid headaches, lethargy and crankiness. Some snacks our two boys aged 2 & 4 enjoy include: sultanas; carrot sticks; celery & peanut butter; rice snacks; cheese dippits; vege chips; pretzels; milk arrowroot biscuits; grapes (always cut in half so they don’t choke!); a whole banana; apple slices; mandarins; wholemeal Vegemite sandwiches cut into small squares for fun; savoury mini muffins and cheese stringers.

I find regular stops make it easier to plan activities for in the car, too: for instance, for one hour everyone has reading time, then a stop for a run around, then when getting back into the car start a new activity, just to keep things interesting! It’s essential to have an array of activities & entertainment ideas for the duration of the trip (I can’t stress this enough). These will be age dependant, but some items can be used and adapted to become age appropriate.

We love sensory bags (a special bag with a see-through plastic window where there are different items inside) where you can call out an item and the kids need to find it amongst the rice through the plastic window and tick it off the list. I’ve also been known to half fill a slip lock bag with Play-Doh and sticky tape the entire thing so it cannot be opened in the car: the boys love squishing it through the bag. Also, remember the old Etch-A-Sketch? They’re still fantastic for keeping kids occupied, are easily portable and completely mess free! If you’re night traveling, glow sticks are really good for the kids too (depending on age, of course!).

Other activities ideas include: colouring, drawing, sticker or activity books (best to have a clipboard folder for each child and clip the book to it so they have a hard surface to lean on); Where’s Wally type books; reading books; fun cd’s; cheap binoculars from the dollar shop are popular with my boys; kaleidoscopes; pretend camera so they can “photograph” things as you drive past; flash cards (these are great because there are heaps of games that you can base around them, and it’s not too hard for the passenger in the front to participate (which kids love!); balloons filled with flour for textile, squishing and shaping fun (you can make your own or buy them done)…

I recommend checking out your local dollar shop for inspiration if you’re really stuck, and if you really want to make the most of the items, wrap them as pass-the-parcel, with a few items each (inc a small toy or something, I use mostly things they already own ha-ha, and also a snack each) then start and stop the car radio as you’re driving and the kids pass it amongst themselves. It does make a bit of mess, but hey I’ll take a bit of mess over yelling or fighting kids any day ha-ha! And the kids love the novelty. 🙂

Happy travelling, and remember to drive safe and be prepared. 🙂

Sara