An adventurous road trip can be a clever strategy for unwinding. Besides giving you an amazing sense of freedom, they will also help to strengthen the bond between you and your loved ones. Ironically, however, it can take a dramatic turn for the worse when the “loved ones” include your precious little offspring.
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But does this mean you must forfeit the pleasures of a road trip till your kids come of age? Of course not!
The Bittersweet Experience with Kids
Family trips are cute and exciting if only the little ones will learn how not to whine and become restless at every opportunity. But are they truly kids if they don’t? The first tip to having a memorable road trip with your children is managing your expectations. So, make peace with the fact that no matter what you do, it’ll never be 100% hitch-free.
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What you can do is reduce the chances of a stressful outing to the barest minimum and that’s what we’re here to help you do.
Let Daytime Save the Day
Going on a night trip with your children is the worst idea ever. Not only will it rob them of the excitement of viewing attractions along the way, but night travel also means limited access to restaurants, gas stations, and other essential services.
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So, if you can help it, avoid traveling with your kids in the dark. But if you can’t, indulge them with screen time to keep them entertained.
Include Regular Stops in Your Travel Plan
All travel and no rest stops make you a boring parent. That’s on a light note, but you get the point already, right? We know you’d rather save all the fun for when you arrive at your destination, but your kids don’t understand that.
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If you don’t want grumpy children, ensure that you plan stops to allow them to use the bathroom, eat, play a little, etc. This also limits the need for emergency stops in the middle of nowhere.
Be Creative with Telling the Time
You can hardly keep your children in good spirits throughout very long road trips, regardless of the strategies you employ. When they start asking how much time it is till y’all arrive at your destination, you know they’re reaching their breaking point.
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In times like that, replying with “only an hour left,” wouldn’t cut it. Instead, give them something to anticipate by rewarding them with goodies per hour.
You Can’t Go Wrong with Healthy Snacks
Every parent knows that snacks go anywhere kids go and road trips are no exception. But more than just bringing the first ones you can lay your hands on, the type of food items your children munch on is important too.
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Road trips are no excuse for filling your children’s food boxes with unhealthy, heavily processed snacks. Instead, stick with nutritious options like veggies, nuts, fruits, granola bars, etc., that keep them full, energized, and less cranky.
Have A Plan B
Road-tripping with kids can be highly unpredictable. This is why you should always take extra of everything along with you on your journey.
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From wipes to diapers, blankets, toys, clothes, travel potty seats, food, etc. it’s always better to err on the side of extra when your adorable humans are involved.
Introduce Family Games
Remember we told you that road trips help you bond with the people you love? One way this happens is by introducing interesting family games. This makes the journey memorable and helps to save time.
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License plate games, sing-along challenge, and “Would you rather?” are great game ideas to begin with.
Keep Essentials Handy
Sometimes, the frustration you feel during a family trip has little to do with your munchkin’s behavior. Instead, it could be the fact that you just can’t seem to find an essential item when you need it the most.
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To avoid problems like this, organize your stuff in a way that essential items are always within arm’s reach for you and your kids. Thank us later!
Do You Love Our Family Road Trip Hacks?
Have you been scared to go on a road trip with your kids? Don’t be. This family road trip survival guide contains the essentials for a fun time with your adorable little ones.
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Which of the tips will you be implementing on your next family road trip? Are there any extra tips you’ll want to share? Write them in the comments, we’ll love to read them!
