My family is about to venture out on our first road trip later this month. I’m excited about the actual destination, but equally as excited about the driving part of the trip. When I was younger, my family and I drove to Florida quite a bit and we always stopped at cool ‘tourist traps’ along the way. I’m looking forward to showing my son some of them on our drive down south.
Road tripping with the kiddos is not for the faint of heart! You definitely need to put some thought into the logistics of it all. With just a little planning, you can have a fun, memorable and stress free trip. Here are some tips that I plan to use on our trip.
Pack Smart
Don’t overpack as we all tend to do, or your car will be overstuffed, which will undoubtedly lead to backseat meltdowns. One thing I learned early on is to pack your kids’ outfits in ziplock gallon sized baggies (one per day or less if you’re able to do laundry). Putting the kids’ outfits, including socks and undies, in one bag allows them to be autonomous on the trip and avoids the daily struggle of having to argue over what they’re going to wear each day.
Car Activities Unplugged
As much as it might be a struggle – unplug! After all, the road trip is about making memories. Have non-techy activities in the car to keep the kids occupied. Just a few ideas are crayons, coloring books, reading books, mad libs, and travel bingo. Play the license plate game or have a scavenger hunt of different road signs. Use electronics and movies as a last resort!
Creature Comforts
Make sure to pack their favorite pillow, blankie, and stuffed animal so that when they want to take a snooze, they’ll have their favorites to snuggle.
Healthy Alternatives to Fast Food
Have a cooler packed with cold drinks, fruit and healthy snacks. This will save you money and time (no running through a drive-thru or stocking up on junk at a gas station) and will most likely cut down on upset tummies!
Plan Stops
Check the map and plan out fun places to stop and see. Let them run around and get their energy out. At each stop, have everyone pick up any accumulated trash and toss it to ensure a clean and orderly car.