Going on roadtrips is an exciting way to beat boredom and have new experiences. However, traveling with children can be an entirely new experience. Whether you are flying internationally or driving to a resort, you will need to go prepared. Parents brave enough to face camping with kids have to be meticulous about their packing preparations to avoid disasters. In this article, we will focus on the necessary items for driving adventures with young children.
Travel Toys
Car boredom is a real danger when traveling with kids, and enduring the 50th round of “are we there yets” can drive even the most tolerant parent off the road. Keeping the kids entertained is a matter of necessity and parents should plan for plenty of activities. Be sure to pack coloring books and crayons for kids but be aware of the risk of car sickness. Other kids may enjoy having new toys that they don’t usually get to play with in the car for some additional make-believe time.
Supplies for Pit Stops
You may have been able to pull an 8 hour drive with only two potty breaks as a young, childless person, but you are going to have to stop far more frequently with kids. Make sure the kids are able to stretch their legs and run around at each stop to increase their endurance in the car. Pack jump ropes, a frisbee or bubbles to give the kids stimulation and exercise between bouts of driving.
Clean Up Bags
There are few things more frustrating at the end of a long day of travel than trying to dig through food wrappers in the backseat to find your wallet. Kids are certainly good at making messes and will need to learn to keep their area as clean as possible during a roadtrip. Be sure to pack plenty of plastic bags for food and toy cleanup, as well as a plastic pail for inopportune bouts of stomach illness. Keeping the trash and toys separate will help your sanity during your days on the road.
Plenty of Snacks
While some would argue toddlers are always the worst, they definitely win out in that category when they are hungry and tired. Stave off the tantrums by packing healthy, favorite and unique snacks to keep your kids full and emotionally stable during the trip. Good standbys include grapes, granola bars, string cheese, bananas, dried fruits, and trail mix. As always, consider the messiness of the snack before handing it to them in your backseat.
AudioBooks
While toddlers may not fully grasp the nuances of fine literature, school age kids should be able to enjoy books on the drive. It is possible to pack books for each kid, but reading can be difficult with the risk of car-sickness and nightfall. Audiobooks are a great way to get the family connected over a plot and make the time pass more quickly.