Over the coming weeks many of us will be loading up the car and heading off to visit family or friends.
Or if you are very lucky, going somewhere completely different. After spending 5 days in the car with my little angels/devils, here are my top 5 tips to keeps the kids calm(ish) and help preserve your sanity!
Charge those iPads
Long car trips are boring for anyone who isn’t driving, so make sure you have plenty to do. Colouring books, sticker books, DVD’s and iPads make for great entertainment for kids and can keep them quiet for a considerable amount of time.
Plan your journey
It sounds obvious, but think about your travelling time. Travelling around sleep times is a great option, if possible. Have accommodation booked if your journey involves an overnight stop over, there’s nothing worse than driving around trying to find a place to stay with cranky kids in the car.
Stop regularly
Regular stops help not only the kids to burn off some excess steam, but are also important for the driver. Parks, attractions such as the Australian iconic “big things” and places with ducks to feed make great options! Feel free to use Google Maps to search for local playgrounds with toilet facilities. Factor these breaks into your travelling time so that you don’t feel you’re losing time.
Bring plenty of food and drink in the car
Just the process of eating can entertain kids and younger kids, especially those who like to snack regularly. Having food on hand helps to decrease the amount of stops and also stops the “I’m hungry” complaints. Packing a bag full of healthy snacks cuts down your reliance on service station food, which seems to consist mainly of burgers and chips.
Be prepared for the endless questions
The question of “are we there yet?” is bound be to asked. Young kids especially have no concept of time or distance so be prepared to be regularly asked how much longer the journey will be. This is a good time to divert into a game of “I spy”, or a “oh look out the window at the sheep”. If the question is becoming increasingly repetitive, it’s generally a good indicator that a stop is necessary!
What are your top tips for travelling with kids? Share with us below.
We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
1:20 pm
9:23 pm
4:06 pm
10:24 pm
12:23 am
10:18 am
8:01 pm
1:35 pm
9:24 am
1:45 pm
11:49 am
9:01 am
6:44 am
3:53 am
5:19 pm