subject: Road Trips With Kids [print this page] The scent of damp earth and hay fields, the sight of lakes and canyons, and the warm company of friends and family, this is what makes up a classic road trip. The best kinds of trips are family ones. The only trouble is, sometimes with younger kids in the car, long road trips can become a nightmare. Road trips shouldn't be something to dread. Here are a few quick ideas on ways to make a road trip with your younger children run as smoothly as possible.
Cooping kids up in a car leaves them with a lot of energy, which often results in trouble. Road trips also seem to have a way of shrinking children's bladders. These are perhaps the most frustrating obstacles all parents hoping to go on a road trip must conquer. To kill two birds with one stone, use restroom stops as a time to release energy. After everyone has gone to the bathroom, play a quick game, tag, leap frog, freeze tag, anything that will get their blood pumping again, and will make them tired.
It is important to make sure there are plenty of snacks for the kids to eat while traveling. Nothing ruins a trip like a bunch of kids whining about being hungry the whole way. To avoid this dreaded fate, make sure to bring a well-organized bag with crackers, trail mix, fresh fruit, veggies, and other healthy snacks.
When you get back in the car keep the kids entertained with books from your local library. If you're desperate and have a T.V. in your vehicle, you can use that to keep them entertained for a short time. Ultimately, this is a family vacation though, and it will be more fun if everyone is not glued to some form of screen, whether it is a T.V., PSP, or laptop. If you're not the one driving, engage the family with group games. There are hundreds of road trip games you can play. You could also read your kids a story, play an audio book, or even pass around old family pictures.
As you travel, it is also essential that you have with you a basic first aid kit. This should at least include standard Band-Aids and antibiotic cream. Safety as you travel should always be your number one priority. Safety shouldn't only be important on the road, but at home. One way to be safe at home is to have a home security system that will protect your home and family.
