6 Secrets to Family Road Trip Success
Vacations, tournaments, graduations, weddings….few things are more American than the family road trip with the kids in the back arguing about who crossed the imaginary line and Mom and Dad in front threatening to “turn this car around if you kids can’t behave.”
We asked our friends at TravelingMom.com to share some ideas for making a road trip with kids fun for everyone--including moms and dads. These tips won’t necessarily keep the kids from fighting, but they might:
1. Bring a Map
It will come in handy if the GPS crashes and it can be great fun for kids. They can follow the progress of the road trip and look for nearby sites that might be worth a stop.
2. Pack One Essentials Bag
Put a toothbrush, jammies and one change of clothes for each family member into a single suitcase. It saves you from unpacking the entire car for every one-night stop. Don't forget to toss in the bathing suits so the kids can head to the hotel pool and burn off some of that pent up energy.
3. Team Time
If you’re traveling to a sports tournament or club event, use FREE online signup sheets by VolunteerSpot to easily organize parents for carpools, snacks, team meals and chaperones.
4. Bring Snacks
No matter how long the trip, food and drink are the keys to kid happiness. Choose water--it doesn't stain when it spills--and leave the salty snacks at home. They just increase thirst, which increases drinking, which increases the need for potty breaks. Here’s a recipe for making your own healthy trail mix.
5. Keep Kids Happy
Entertain kids the old-fashioned way with license plate bingo, ISpy and 20 Questions. Or entertain them the new-fashioned way with apps like Field Trip and Geocaching to discover cool and hidden things along your journey. You can even exercise in the car to help squirmy little ones burn off energy. Check out Parents’ Choice best road trip apps and game for kids here.
6. Take a Picture--in the Parking Garage
No one wants to ruin that vacation afterglow by a two-hour trek through the parking garage trying to remember where the SUV is parked. Snap a photo of the parking spot before you unload the trunk and you'll know exactly where to find your car when you return.
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For more, visit TravelingMom.com and download your copy of
TravelingMom’s 101 Family Travel Tips. It’s free!
