There is nothing quite as family-oriented and traditional as road trips with kids! After all, what better way to remind us why we love our family than sitting in a car for hours together. With the summer weather to enjoy and adventure on the horizon, it can’t be avoided.
I can remember road trips as a child and honestly, they weren’t too bad. I think what stood out most was the fact my mom always came prepared. We had games, books, snacks and so much more to keep us busy and occupied. I didn’t understand how hard a task it was at the time, but now as a mom, I get it. Keeping kids entertained in a car for hours isn’t for the weak of heart! These tips on how to survive road trips with kids are here to help!
How to survive a road trip with kids
How to survive a road trip with kids isn’t rocket science. It is all about organization and preparation. Hopefully, these tips will get you to your destination and back again with your sanity still in check! {hehe}
1. Pack Gravol for kids. My son is notorious for getting car sick, so I won’t go anywhere without Gravol. It is better to be prepared and watch for the warning signs of motion sickness, than to spend hours cleaning out the car after an accident.
2. Bring snacks. Kids eat a lot. Make sure to bring snacks that won’t cause a mess and are easy to eat in the car.
3. Prepare road-trip ready activities. Depending on your child’s age, this could range from handheld games, colouring books, sketch boards, etc. There are so many free printables online that you can’t really go wrong.
4. Plan stops. With kids, you definitely need to take breaks, get out of the car to stretch, etc.
5. Enjoy yourself! Children learn from example. If you aren’t enjoying yourself, neither will your child. Keep your attitude positive and watch it rub off on them!
kathy downey says
My first road tip with kids was a nightmare,driving on Good Friday with everything closed forgetting the Gravol, 2 kids and myself car sick by the time we got to my Mom we were to sick even days later to enjoy or even eat a piece of chocolate the Easter bunny left……..
heidi c. says
I have bad motion sickness so Gravol has been a long-standing friend. I always take it with me when I travel.
Rebecca Swenor says
I have never tried the Gravol on my kids. This could really come in handy this summer. Thanks for sharing.
Tanya Reid says
For my oldest I take his portable DVD player as well as books and for my little guy lots of entertaining toys and some books that make noise. Of course plenty of snacks and drinks for both as well, we also sing songs and play I spy to switch it up.
kathy downey says
I have bad motion sickness since a child so Gravol goes everywhere I go
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I’m lucky, as long as I don’t read in the car I’m fine. My children were all ok too, thankfully since we travelled a lot through Europe and mostly by car as flights would have been too expensive with 7 children. Keeping them busy was always a big task but they’d also keep each other busy too. We’d stop every 2 hrs or so for a bathroom break and to stretch our legs too.
salexis says
Long drives with my kids really used to stress me out! It definitely gets easier as they get a bit older…
kathy downey says
Long drives with my kids ,usually someone ends up sick
kathy downey says
Thanks for all the great tips and ideas