Road Trips are a part of our Summertime norm. We have family in Arizona that we go to visit a few times a year and the kids are used to making that 6 hr drive. We have learned a few things about making a Road Trip successful with kids.
Here are our 5 Tips for a Successful Road Trip with Kids:
And not just your usual first aid stuff. I cannot tell you how many times we have gone through a drive through only to get back on the road to find we don’t have any straws. Or we stop at a rest stop and there’s no toilet paper. I keep this emergency kit in my car at all times but it is especially useful on those long drives. You can see what I keep in the emergency kit HERE.
2. Bring Snacks
I am not opposed to the occasional treat but when I’m stuck in the car with my kids for 6+ hours I do not want them hyped up on sugar, dyes, and processed foods. We opt to bring healthy(er) alternatives for our on the go munchies. A small cooler with cold water is always a good idea when traveling during the summer months. See some of our favorite snacks HERE.
3. Digital Entertainment
Up until this summer we didn’t allow digital media in the car. In all honesty, they weren’t old enough and bringing along the DVD player just caused more trouble than it was worth. Now they are 8, 6, and 3 and we found this awesome ipad holder for the car, it was totally worth it to bring it along. With the ipad and digital movie downloads, we didn’t have to bring along the bulky DVD players and the endless amounts of DVD’s. With a USB port car charger we were able to keep the ipad battery full and the kids thoroughly entertained.
This is my affiliate link for the ipad arm seen in the picture above. Click HERE to see the product on amazon.
4. Busy Boxes
So what did we do for entertainment before we brought along movies to watch? Busy Boxes! These are great for the kids to decorate and put together. It’s always fun to have some new little projects to work on during a long drive. These are great for the younger kids as you can create a box that works with their age group. See how to create a Busy Box HERE.
5. Stop and Stretch Along the Way
Any time you’re traveling with kids you are going to have to stop along the way. We usually stop every 2-2.5 hrs. When we do stop, we make sure EVERYONE uses the restroom, whether or not they think they need to. If you see a park or a grassy area, you may want to let them run around a bit too. And, as always, Mama usually fuels up on a caffeinated beverage.
I have had a lot of questions on social media about the ipad arm that is seen in the picture above. This is the product that we have, and after two successful 6+ hr road trips using it, I would definitely recommend it.
*I am an affiliate with Amazon which means if you purchase this product through my link, I will get a small percentage at no additional cost to you. All opinions in this article are my own.
Heather (Baby Bump & Beyond) says
Kate - Catching Up With Kate says