Taking a road trip with your children for the first time is always going to be fun. Still, it’s up to you to make sure they’re safe and entertained until you get from point A to point B. And the best way to do this is to do a lot of preparation before you actually hit the road. That being said, here are five tips that will help you get through your trip with as little moaning and groaning as possible.
Know what to pack
The only way you can be sure your road trip is going to be enjoyable is to have everything your little ones need right with you. First of all, this includes some spare clothes you’ll be able to get without having to go through bags in your trunk. Also, if you’re going to be driving during the night, bear in mind that you should always have at least one blanket in your car. Children love their own stuff, especially in strange places so make sure you also pack some of their favorite toys and books.
Make sure the drive is worth it
There’s no need to say that children don’t like spending hours and hours in the car. Still, if you make the trip worth it for them, they might just take it much easier. That being said, you should try to include visiting an amusement park or a large toy store in your trip. That way, your children will have something to be excited about during the entire trip. And on your way back, they’ll either be talking about all the fun they had or they’ll be playing with their new toys.
Make enough stops
Being trapped in a car for such a long time can be daunting for adults, let alone for children. Therefore, you should be prepared to make twice as many stops as you did during your pre-children road trips. And if you take any big lunch stops, keep in mind that you’ll have to stop for a bathroom break once again in the next 30 minutes. And if you’re going to spend a lot of time in the car, it’s recommended that you book a motel with a swimming pool as this will give your little ones something to look forward to while on the road.
Think about security
Another important thing you’ll have to do before you hit the road is make sure you have everything you need to keep you and your children safe during the whole trip. Firstly, depending on the age of your children, you might need a baby seat in your car. Also, you should have your car checked out by a mechanic before even start preparing for your road trip. And even if your car is completely fine, you should still be prepared to contact a mobile mechanic in case something goes wrong.
Come up with a playlist
Music can make a road trip much easier for children. So, what you should do is try to come up with a playlist that includes all of their favorite songs and play it while you’re on the road. Of course, the playlist doesn’t have to be long as your road trip is going to be, since children love playing the same songs over and over again. If you have 2 little ones on the back seat, make sure to include songs both of them enjoy listening to.
Follow this guide and taking a road trip with your children shouldn’t cause you a headache. Still, no make sure how much time you put into preparing your road trip, be ready to hear a lot of “I’m hungry.”, “I’m bored.” and “Are we there, yet?”
