Many parents rave about books, audiobooks and DVDs – but don’t be afraid to get creative. It’s also a great time to get caught up on some tasks like meal planning, paying bills, or updating the family calendar, for example. If you’re a passenger too, bring your own way to escape – like books or magazines. You don’t need to entertain the kids the entire trip. However, if you have younger children, you may want to guide their choices or limit the number of items they can put in the bag – this may not be a good time to pack that tambourine or 50 Matchbox cars! 7. Your kids will appreciate having some control over part of the trip, and it’s one less thing for you to do to get ready. Give each of your kids a similarly sized tote bag or backpack and let them fill it with their favorite things. Have your kids pack their own activity bags

Think extra diapers, baby wipes for spills and messes, extra travel cups, refills for snack cups, ibuprofen or acetaminophen (for the kids and adults), motion sickness medication, insurance cards, a map or atlas, and of course, plastic sacks, towels and extra sets of clothes in case of car sickness or accidents. While no one wants to over-pack, there are some extra items that can prove invaluable on the road. (All while YOU are also short on sleep!) Pack Smart 5. However, sleep in a car is usually not as deep and less restful, so be prepared that kids may do well on the trip but be cranky the next day. Have a smartphone maps app – and a road atlas in case there’s not good reception – at the ready to help you find a good place to stop when the inevitable “But I have to go now!” comes from the backseat.Īnother option is traveling through the night, so kids sleep the whole time. Let them know about how long the trip will take, how often you’ll be stopping, what they can do to entertain themselves and how you’ll handle bathroom breaks.ĭo some research ahead of time to scout out possible places to stop and stretch, take bathroom breaks, and grab a bite to eat. Role play these rules on the way home from school or on an errand run. Let kids know if there any special car rules or changes from the norm for a long trip. Let kids know what to expect ahead of time It will also give them a chance to practice any special “car rules” for behavior. If you haven’t had a family excursion that’s more than a jaunt across town, take a short day or weekend trip to get your kids used to time in the car. Figure out what time of day is best for driving–early morning, overnight, or in the afternoon?īy knowing your limits–how many hours you can reasonably drive each day without a total meltdown–you can plan a more enjoyable road trip! 2. If your kids haven’t made the two-hour trip to Grandma’s house yet without screaming the whole way, this may not be the best summer for that cross-country trip to Yellowstone. Here are some tips to help you make the most of long road trips with your family:

Half the fun of any trip is getting there, right? Well, maybe not if you envision mile after mile of whining, choruses of “are we there yet” or refereeing backseat battles.īut it doesn’t have to be a dreaded experience.

Fun ideas for long road trips