Road Trips
…A good way to have a feel of the great outdoors, have fun and learn something new. They are that opportunity to get out, have a mini adventure, and spend fun time together as a family, doing great stuff together.
Sometimes you never really get to experience a good old long drive through beautiful landscapes; we are always so busy around work and school, and cannot have the feel of the great outdoors for so long at a stretch as a family. Hence, road trip time can be a huge family fun time.
Kids on Board
Going on your on your own may be a world of difference from going on a road trip with kids. It needs adequate preparation or you may be in for one long frustrating road trip. Depending on how long the trip would be, it can get rather boring for kids, but you can turn it into a great big adventure for them. Older kids and much younger kids may not need that much, but if you have toddlers, having a variety of activities is a saver when you are going on a road trip with kids.
Sticking to video games and gadgets could get boring after a while, and make them self-absorbed, which takes the fun out of the road trip with kids, and hey, what about the family bonding time?
Prepare for your road trip, your 10 tips
If you are getting set for or planning a road trip with kids, you might want to make a checklist as you read this:
Be prepared
- Maps – Aside from your car or cell GPS, it adds to the experience when you print out maps. Trust me, you do not want to get lost and drive back and forth on a road trip with kids. If you’re going on a rental car, make sure to have your own GPS or to ask for an extra GPS
- Tool Kit – Always remember to be prepared for any eventualities, from a loose knot to a flat tire. Do not leave without your toolkit, and double check to be sure that it has got all you may need to repair your car.
- First Aid – Even if you are not prone to road sickness or motion sickness, one of the kids just might be, probably being his/ her first time on a road trip. Take medicines for road sickness, and you can prevent it with mint, or any other options you may have. Also be equipped for other kinds of illnesses or irritations, some of which can be caused by some foods or drinks, especially in motion. Equip your First Aid Kit with basic general first aid remedies, for different cases.
- Change of clothes – Kids will always be kids, spills and stains are almost unavoidable, and they could get uncomfortable in their sneakers, but still need footwear, packing warm comfortable clothes and pajamas will be good, especially if you would be on the road until evening. Warm comfy shoes and or socks may also be considered. Take pillows (extra comfort will be needed on a road trip with kids); sunshades for their eyes if it is sunny.
- Wipes, paper towels, creams, toiletries, and other items that you may need to clean up any mess the kids make.
- Trash Bin – take bin bags along to put all the trash. You would be cleaning up something from time to time, and needing to trash cups bottles, snack wraps and so on. As fun as road trips with kids can be, it can get a little messy – from used paper towels to used wipes, to chocolate wrappers, and yes, vomit.
- Caddy – A caddy does come in handy – to hold cups, bottles, diapers, tubes, and pretty much anything that you need to hold out so that you do not have to keep reaching into the bag.
- Snacks – apart from eating regular food, peckish are one feeling that you might not be able to avoid with kids, so pack something healthy to nibble on, take things that the kids actually approved. Taking snack from home also helps you curb unnecessary expenses that you may run into getting them on the way. Stick to healthy snacks and beverages, it could help prevent some irritations that come with eating certain foods. Also, make eating fun, and not a rush. Use snacks boxes, straws, and even make bracelets out of nuts or sweets.
- Fun stops – know your routes well, and know all the places you can stop at, and choose fun stops where you can stop and have a nice brief picnic and stretch your legs a bit, or even swim a little.
You might want to stop at very nice landscapes and take a good look around, and take some nice nature pictures.
- Entertainment – keep the kids busy and occupied; make a checklist of activities on the trip that they approve. Some things you may want to consider are:
- Journals for everyone to make up their own description of the trip.
- Turn discipline into fun by giving treats to the best behaved, just make sure you lay the rules out from the beginning of the road trip with the kids.
- Games for everyone – please ensure you don’t play games that require your full attention or your hands; if you are driving, play games with them like – I-Spy, and word games, and question games, where all you have to do is talk. If they are more than one, let them also play card games, tic-tac-toe, chess, and so on with each other. If they want to play by themselves, you could keep them busy with puzzle books, maze books
- Mini fun maps for the kids – you could call out your location at intervals, and have them mark it, to know where you are at that moment, instead of always having them ask you “are we there yet?”
- Doodles and Clay
- Audio Books and Music – that everyone can sing along to.
Remember, going on a road trip with kids makes great family bonding time.
Get prepared, stay organized, and keep kids occupied. Renting a car on your road trip is probably a good idea. You can choose a comfortable car for you and your kids. Besides, kids will always love to experience new adventures in a new car.
Choose your car rental for your next road trip from CARSiRENT.com and enjoy an unforgettable experience!
Have a nice trip!
