Read This Before You Take a Road Trip with Your Children

Road trips with your children can be an excellent way to spend memorable time together. However, Unless you prepare for the challenges of sharing a small space for many miles you may wind up wishing you stayed home.

Driving cross-country or to a destination can be a lot different than your usual local errands. Sometimes you’re less familiar with the route, and your kids may become bored along the way or even worsw, they begin to fight.

With intentional planning, your vacation can be both safe and fun. Here are a few suggestions to follow for your next fun filled family road trip.

Safety First

1. Buckle up. Your kids are used to putting on their seat belts. However, it’s worth reminding them to stay buckled up even when they fall asleep. Seat belts save lives and prevent injuries.
   
   
2. Check your car seats. Visit your National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or California Highway Patrol. You can also visit a website to find a child safety seat inspection station near you. Certified technicians will check that your chair is correctly installed and appropriate for your child’s age and size.
   
   
3. Plan for emergencies. Prepare for anything from icy roads or bee stings and alwayslankets and bottled water in your trunk. Keep a first aid kit and contact information for your doctors to have on hand for emergencies.
   
   
4. Assign seating. Cut down on bickering with careful seat assignments. If it’s a full car load it might help to have an adult in the backseat.
   
   
5. Drive responsibly. Talk with your kids about why the driver needs to keep their eyes on the road. Ban excessive noise or roughhousing. Pullover if you need to check for directions, send a text or referee a disagreement.

Providing Entertainment:

1. Play games. Introduce your children to I Spy and 20 Questions. If they’re old enough they can write thier own Mad Libs. Choose from an endless variety of classic and computer road games.
   
   
2. Make crafts. Browse Pinterest for digital art activities or paper crafts that are easy to do while riding in a car. If you have the assisgned back seat then be sure tojoin in  the fun with an adult coloring book.

3. Listen to music. If Baby Sharky is coming out of your ears, know it’s okay to take a break. Apps like Spotify have a wide selection of music for kids. Switch it up by picking tunes that you can sing together with Disney music, nursery rhymes, or Sunday School songs. Or you can have them wear headphones so you can controlthe radio.

4. Bring audiobooks. After spending time interacting, you may feel like you need a littllepeace and quiet. Movies and Audiobooks do wonders to keep kids occupied until you’re refreshed and readyto join in again.

Random Road Trip Tips:

1. Do your homework. Research rest stops, and other sites  to visit. Know where the restrooms are and allow  enough time to get out of the car and stretch frequently. Children love to move around and will appreciate taking in the scenery. If time permits plan fornopportunities to see historic sites or visit amusement parks. Enjoy mini hikes or a picnic in state parks along the way.
   
   
2. Cool off. Even if your car is air-conditioned, cold water feels refreshing on a hot summer day. Takenote of any beaches, lakes, or water parks that will be within driving distance or on your route.
   
   
3. Eat healthily. Seeking an alternative to the fast food places that surround most highways? Plan ahead and fill a cooler with nutritious snacks and salads.
   
   
4. Tidy up. A cluttered space clutters themind. You’ll probably feel more stressed and irritable-if your car starts looking like a garbage bin. Keep clutter and spills under control with simple rules and organizing products. Hang a pouch over the back of car seats to hold toys and books.
   
   
5. Share conversation. Having time for extended discussions is one of the greatest joys of family car trips. Think of some conversation starters before you leave, like funny stories about your childhood or exciting news events to share.

Make the next family road trip relaxing and enjoyable, and you’ll get home with lots of happy memories that will last a lifetime.