Road trip tips

Long car journeys can be challenging when travelling with kids.

The thought of travelling in the car can make some parents break into a sweat.

Being confined in a space and planning the best way to have a peaceful and enjoyable trip can seem daunting.

Planning your travel time, breaks and the journey can help you arrive at your destination with your sanity.

Holiday With Kids has shared their top tips for what has worked for their readers.

• Age-appropriate travel games like Snakes and Ladders, Scrabble and Rush Hour – go for the magnetic variety
• Guessing and word puzzles – there are lots on the web you can print out
• Singing, rhyming and joke games – let them go wild with their imagination and everyone join in!
• Finger puppets, magna-doodle and felt board games
• Craft paper and aluminium foil for inventive origami
• Small pillows, soft toys and blankets for snoozing – if they are comfortable, they are more likely to sleep.
• MP3 players or IPods loaded with music and audio books – everyone gets to hear what they like this way.
• Travel tray for toddlers – saves on spills and mess, and good for simple games.
• Savoury as well as sweet treats in small boxes.
• Drinks bottles with non-spill tops
• Photocopied maps so they can track your route too
• Surprise packages – small toys or special snacks to bring out when the going gets tough!