Travelling with children is never easy with the incessant “are we there, yet?” and the constant request for a toilet break. It’s time to make your car trip easier with our top tips for stress free car travel!
DO stop regularly for toilet breaks and leg stretches
It’s painful sitting in a car for long periods of time. You and your kids will need to stretch your legs and answer to the calls of nature. Arrange your journey so you stop every two hours or so to stretch off and use the toilet. You don’t have to get food or drink if you don’t need to, but the toilet break is a must. Allow 5-10 minutes per break before moving onto the next leg of the journey.
DO arrange entertainment in the car
Children of all ages can get bored easily, so you’ll want distractions to take their mind off of just how long they’ve got left of the journey! Put together some of your kids’ favourite music or audio books and have an assortment of favourite movies ready on the iPad, tablet or portable DVD player. Give them some colouring books or reading books, and think about games consoles for older children. Travel games are an excellent passer-of-time, especially for older children who play well together.
DO encourage your children to pack their own travel packs
Give your children a bag each for them to pack. This can be full of their favourite games, sweets, and drinks. If you don’t want backpacks, you can use fabric containers that strap onto the back of the front seats. Children can reach forward to grab what they want, so you can focus on the drive.
DO create a map for older children
Put together a map of the journey for your children. Ask them to check off certain towns you pass or attractions you see. You can also put a list of things they have to spot, such as a yellow car, an oak tree, a barn, etc. This keeps the children focused on the journey and feel like part of the travel plans.
DON’T forget about essentials
Have some sweets and water for the journey. You will also need some wet wipes and tissues, just in case there are spillages. Kids aren’t perfect and you never know how bumpy a road will be! Add some blankets, just in case it gets cold or you need to stop for a long period without warning.
DON’T forget the mirrors
Get a mirror to put on the back seats for any children that are rear facing. You can see what your children are up to with just a glance. If your car isn’t set up for mirrors, have one that your passenger can use easily to check on the little ones.
DON’T travel at rush hour
Try to avoid the rush hour traffic as much as possible. Whilst sometimes you can’t due to the length of the journey, there are steps you can take to travel as little as possible throughout the day. One of the best options is to travel through the night. It will be the kids’ usual bed time, so they will sleep and you can focus on the road ahead.
Travelling with kids isn’t easy but you can create a fun journey. Get them involved and encourage them to put together their packs for the ride. If they have games to play and things to do, the dreaded “are we nearly there, yet?” won’t be the soundtrack to your journey!