Car travel with kids
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Travelling with kids sometimes involves long journeys in a car.
Whilst it is doable it may not always be enjoyable.
It can be exhausting, and at times stressful but travelling long distances with kids in a car doesn’t have to be challenging.
Kids don’t intentionally become restless or irritable about the time they are spending in a car.
The key to a relaxed long journey of travel is all in the preparation.
There is no secret formula to travelling with kids, some just travel better than others, however, being prepared as well as patient are key ingredients to a smoother trip.
Safety and comfort are key.
Surviving the road trip tips
- Plan well. Try to think of any possible scenario. Factoring in all possible scenarios such as car sickness, toilet stops or the kids being sick and tired of sitting so getting fidgety allows for preempting and preparing for to reduce the stress.
- Have everything your child needs within easy reach. A drink bottle close by and accessibility to snacks can help a child remain calm and keep them content. Accessibility to items is key.
- Take regular breaks. While it may feel like this would make the trip even longer it may preserve everyone’s sanity. Stopping every 3 or 4 hours can make the difference between a bearable trip and a nightmare journey. Everyone gets out of the car for a stretch and break from sitting. Even babies can roll around and stretch out on a rug.
- Plan the travel for when they will have a sleep at some point if possible. Just be careful not to wait till a child is so overtired that it becomes more difficult to get them to sleep.
- Take extra supplies. Being prepared is good. Extra food and drink, especially favourites, can be helpful. Extra supplies will come in handy if you get held up by an accident or some sort of delay. A treat is a good distraction. Healthy snacks over snacks packed with sugar are a better choice.
- Pack some favourites toys. Additionally, pack some hardly used or some reserved just for travelling so that they seem new and exciting.
- Music. Getting them to sing and ‘dance’ (in their seat) is good fun.
- Play some travel games (that are appropriate to age) i.e. I Spy, car cricket, alphabet game (so many different types just here), number plate game count the car colours, etc.
- Take a plastic bag for rubbish.
- Pack a lightweight blanket to keep them comfortable and any special items such as a teddy, etc.
- Get the children to pack their own travel bag. This is great as it can contain the toys but it also allows them choice and a feeling of independence as they can decide what goes in the first place.
- Have emergency backup. It’s a good idea to have things like a portable DVD payer, tablet/Ipad, extra books, etc are always a good hit if all else fails. Depending on age don’t forget the headphones too.
- Protect from the sun. Sun in a child’s eyes can stop them from sleeping or bother a child to distraction. A window shade or towel on the window will help to provide a child with a comfortable trip.
Renae (Seriously Kids)
Renae is the founder & CEO of SK who has been working with families for decades. Her educational background and experience in the Early Childhood sector, as well as Social Science and Community Services has provided a broad base to her approach which focuses on balancing the informative but never at the expense of providing an entertaining read. From working in the private setting, not for profit, as well as government agencies and at times combining her love of travel and work on a global scale, she is also a mum who has experienced the poo blowouts, the shopping tantrums and the sleepless nights.
