Road Trips with Little Kids: How We Survive

Teaching our kids to be good travelers is something that is important to us, and road trips have been one of the best learning opportunities… for all of us. Here are some of the tricks we’ve learned to making a road trip manageable, if not enjoyable, for families with young children.

Try to stick to similar routines and schedules that you have at home. We have quiet time and play-by-yourself time and nap time and play-a-game-together time and eating time. Give your child something to look forward to by telling them a loose schedule. For example, “We’re going to have some quiet reading time and then we’ll have a snack and check the map.” Play upbeat music when your family needs to energize and have a break. Turn the music off and speak quietly when your family needs some down time.

Start out with zero entertainment (“Look out the window and see what you can see,”) and save the biggest entertainment value for the most challenging times, like traffic jams at the end of a road trip.

Long trips are definitely the time to pull out a few special items or snacks, but we try not to overdo it with sugary treats because they leave us feeling worse. Pack a new water bottle to boost kids’ water intake. Stick to regular snack times and meal times, rather than eating constantly.

Food and Snacks

• Fresh fruit/veggies in a new kind of container
• Sandwiches
• Baby food pouches
• Crunchy snacks (Cheerios, pretzels, plain popcorn)
• Gummy snacks
• Small sweet treat (rice krispie square, Smarties)
• New water bottle

Entertainment

• Small toys with an interesting sensory feel (slinky, squeeze toy, rubix cube, magnetic toy)
• Lots of books – we put a bag of books between the kids so they can pick out books independently
• Household items that kids don’t normally play with (calculator, keychain, wallet with old cards)
• Notebook and a pen (using a pen is a novelty for our kids)
• Favourite stuffed animal
• 3-4 favourite small toys that hold interest (transformers)
• Tablet and headphones (If you’re not into screens, an old walkman and headphones is fun, too!)
• Have a couple of games in mind: I Spy and 20 Questions are our favourites (we change the rules to unlimited questions and start with a topic, such as animals.)

We also pack similar items for flights, with a few exceptions based on airline policies. The first few times, I overdid it out of fear of running out of activities and being trapped in a moving vehicle with loud, cranky toddlers. You will probably need less than you think. Pack light. Buying a new souvenir on your trip is a special treat and memorable experience.

Finally, and most importantly, prepare yourself for the bad times. They will happen. Take a deep breath and remember that meltdowns will happen no matter where you are. Traveling with your family can be the most rewarding time spent together, but there will always be lows. Stay flexible. Keep calm. Take breaks.

What do you do to survive road trips with little kids? Share your tips in the comments below. Where have you gone or where would you like to go? Happy travels!