Road vacations are a fantastic, flexible, and cost-effective way to see the country. Many people prefer long drives to flying as a mode of transportation. Of course, while road trips can be enjoyable and exciting at times, spending extended hours and days locked up in a car on the road may provide its own set of issues. When children are involved, the obstacles might become even greater. This post may be helpful with some tips for planning a road trip with kids perfectly.
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Tips For Planning A Road Trip With Kids
Plan your route beforehand
Firstly, decide where you want to go and how you want to get there. Check the weather forecast and make sure you have printed copies of your directions and bookings. Don’t rely only on your phone and Google Maps—you never know when an emergency will strike, or when you’ll be traveling to a location where service is unavailable.
Research stops along the way
Make a couple of quick but enjoyable stops along the way to break up the journey and give everyone, especially the kids, a chance to stretch their legs. Look for roadside attractions such as a cool city, park, museum, store, or restaurant that you’d like to visit.
Gather toys and tools for kid-friendly travel
Crayola’s Color Wonder Art Kit offers a mess-free alternative to traditional markers and crayons for young painters. Its coloring sheets include stampers and special markers that only appear on paper, not flesh, clothing, or your car. Trains, police cars, and airplanes have slide-able squares on the Travel Bingo boards. There are no stamps or chips required. There are also road trip-themed Mad Libs and magnetic checkers available.
Target has seat-back bags, garbage containers, and folding plates to help keep things tidy. To keep cup holders clean, some people use shower caddies for on-the-go meals or cupcake liners in cup holders.
Play offline car games
I Spy is a classic road trip game. “I spy with my little eye something…” says the first player, who then gives a hint to something they can see that the other players must look for. The Alphabet Game, in which participants must discover objects that begin with each letter of the alphabet, is another popular game.
Playing the State License Plate Game while on a cross-country vacation is a fun way to pass the time and help school-aged children learn the names of states. To play, compile a list of all 50 states, then have your kids look for a car with a license plate from each one, similar to a backseat scavenger hunt.
Use apps
One of the tips for planning a road trip with kids is to use apps. There are numerous Android and iPhone travel applications and websites that may assist you in planning anything from where to stop to how to make a checklist.
Make getting to the destination part of the fun
Even if you’re travelling great miles, if you make the road journey part of the pleasure rather than a dismal “hurry up and get there” experience, it’ll be seen as a more pleasant experience. Allow for unexpected roadside delights by being adaptable. It’s all part of the fun of going on a road trip!
Manage car sickness
Car sickness is a common occurrence among children, which can add to the difficulty. It’s a good idea to bring some disposable bags with you if you think someone in the car will get motion sick. But, before using them, try keeping nausea at bay using ginger or peppermint food products, which have been clinically proven to help reduce nausea, and by putting the ill passenger in the front seat.
The act of driving itself activates motor abilities, which is why drivers don’t get motion sick as quickly. In addition, the front seat moves less than the back seat. Although some foods may aid with nausea, consuming fewer calories in general will help you avoid becoming ill. Spicy foods, for example, can aggravate the sensation even more.
Find alternatives to fast food
Because quick-casual restaurant franchises are inexpensive and plentiful, it’s easy to fall into a fast-food rut while on vacation. However, with a little forethought, you can find healthier, just-as-affordable alternatives that are sure to please kids.
Alternatively, keep a cooler stocked with picnic supplies, nutritious snacks, and low-sugar beverages so you’re not reliant on roadside eateries. Choose a beautiful scenic pull-off where you can stop for a break and stretch your legs.
