Holiday travel is a must for most families. We don’t travel as much as we used to but we used to head to my hometown every Christmas holiday. But road trips have to be planned out for everyone to have their maximum enjoyment. I’ve traveled by myself and didn’t have much trouble, as long as I stopped for food and bathroom breaks whenever I could. However, traveling with children… no matter what the age may need a little bit more planning.
Before using these tips below, make sure you take your car in for an oil change and to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. That guarantees no surprises while traveling. Heading to your service center should take care of that.
Here are some helpful tips below.
Break the trip up
Plan your travel so there are plenty of stops along the way for children to run around and explore. You may not get there as quickly, but you can make it part of the trip. We normally plan a break every 2-3 hours to make sure the kids don’t get too cranky. Plus, it doesn’t add too much time to the full trip.Plan potty breaks
Potty breaks aren’t just to go to the bathroom.. sometimes taking the time to just get out of the car to stretch your legs helps the kids calm down and get ready for more time in the car. I always get out of the car every time we stop, even if it just to walk around for a couple of minutes. Helps get your blood flowing again.Pick the perfect time to leave
Sometimes leaving early in the morning is great for you but not for the kids. I found that if we have a lot to go at one time, overnight or right after lunch (so they sleep) work great for us. However, breaking the trip up may give you the opportunity to leave whenever you want. No time constraints equal a better and relaxed trip.Take plenty of toys or tablets
I always make sure the kids fill a bag with their favorite toys so they won’t get bored. We also own a couple of tablets. It keeps them busy but there is always a time limit to those. The tablet with the best battery is always loaded with a movie or 2 so they don’t have to play games, they can be watching their favorite movies. For younger children whose imagination is free to roam, bring along their favorite toys and perhaps a coloring booklet with some washable pens that they can use to stay occupied throughout the trip. A film is unlikely to catch their attention as it would for a teen, so you must make an effort to accommodate their needs and provide suitable entertainment.Get Prepared For Any Situation
Traveling by road this festive season is likely to be one of the most popular options amongst families across the continent, but it’s vital that you can keep yourself and your children out of harm’s way whilst driving from A to B. You have to maintain the mindset that ‘anything could happen’, as this will allow you to plan out and prepare for the worst case scenario. An example could be that your car may experience a fault, leaving you stranded at the side of the road – you’ll need thick blankets and coats spare to keep you warm whilst you wait for the recovery vehicle. You must always carry your driver’s license with you when travelling in the car, as a road traffic officer may wish to stop your car and check your details. Ensure that you have the correct full license or relevant hardship license, as you want to be able to complete your whole journey in a lawful manner.
