Family road trips are the stuff of fantasies until you put yourself in the mindset of a long car ride, grumpy kids, and the familiar “Are we there yet?” chant from the back of the car. But here’s the thing: family road trips don’t have to be traumatic. It’s just a matter of a little planning and some thoughtful tricks to make sure everyone is well and happy, and so are the roads.
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Pack Comfort Like It’s Part of the Plan
The correct attire will make a harrowing journey a comfortable one. Pack a neck pillow, comfortable blankets, and a soothing stuffed animal or two. Line the car out like a mini living room. If children are comfortable, chances are better that they won’t make a fuss.
Snacks Repair Almost Anything
Despite planning, children get hungry when you do not expect them to. Keep a cooler of fast snacks like fruit, crackers, and cheese sticks. Fluids are equally important, so there should be plenty of water. Stowing them beforehand avoids unscheduled stops and crashing attitudes. Just be sure to balance out snacking with stops so the children can stretch and exercise.
Keep Entertainment Current
Toys or a tablet with TV shows will buy you an hour or so, but you must vary things. Package small rewards such as coloring books, stickers, or car games to hand out along the route. It maintains the sense of newness preceding boredom. Audiobooks and children’s podcasts add a level of entertainment that is not necessarily gazing at a tablet.
Breaks Are Your Best Friend
Even short stops can completely change the mood in the car. Plan ahead for rest areas or scenic pull-offs where everyone can stretch, run, or just take a breather. If you’re on a longer trip, consider booking an overnight stay at a family RV resort. Not only does it give the kids a safe and fun place to unwind, but it also breaks up the journey into more manageable chunks for everyone.
Let Kids Play a Part in the Trip
Children love being part of decisions. Let them choose which music to play next or which snack comes out of the cooler. Handing over small bits of control gives them a sense of involvement and makes them less likely to resist the flow of the trip. Even letting them be “navigators” with a map or an app can be a fun distraction that also builds excitement.
Comfort is something more than a physical sensation.
In other situations, children are most in need of reassurance. Long journeys seem endless, and children under the age of six do this particularly badly, because children of this age do not understand time in the same way that most people do. It is helpful to establish a definite point of reference, “Three more songs and then we are going to stop”, and to fill them with light chit-chat, tell them funny stories, or play a game of “I Spy”, in order to turn their minds from discomfort.
End the Ride on a High
Arriving at your destination is always a relief, but how you wrap up the trip matters too. Celebrate the end of the drive with a little tradition, maybe a favorite meal, a special treat, or even a family photo. That way, kids remember the car ride as part of the adventure, not just a long stretch they had to survive.