8 Best Tips: How to Plan the Perfect Road Trip With Kids
Do you know that road trips are incredibly popular for most American families? Most people in the United States prefer hopping in the car to going to the airport for a boring flight.
The trend becomes more viral in summer. A long road trip in summer is a great way to spend some quality. It provides a wonderful bonding experience.
For the approaching summer, I was looking up some intriguing routes for road trips with one of my Frontier bundles. And I am planning to take Route 66 from Chicago to California this year with my family. We are hoping it’s going to be amazing.
There is a little downside to road trips, too. Being cooped up in a car for a long time has its challenges. Especially if you have young kids or tots, they often get restless and bored.
They begin to complain about monotony or the flat, dull scenery. Since not many people cook for these trips, having fast food constantly can make people cranky and lethargic.
So, with some simple tips, I am here to make your road trip less stressful, more fun, and more convenient. It’s time you plan the perfect road trip with kids.
8+ Useful Tips to Plan the Perfect Road Trip with Kids
Here are some tried and tested tips for a fantastic road trip:
- Cook and Pack a Good Supply of Snacks and Drinks
- Chat Often
- Plan Stretch Breaks before Time
- Take Turns while Driving
- Make a Playlist for the Trip
- Dispose of Trash at Every Stop
- Expect the Unexpected
- Have a Few Surprises
Let’s discuss the tips in detail, so you prepare well and remain stress-free.
⁍ Cook and Pack a Good Supply of Snacks and Drinks
Do you know multiple stops can make your trip really long? Plus, there is nothing like home-made food.
Keep a sufficient supply of quick snacks and drinks before you hit the road. Keep the snacks prepped up before time. You can save time and money, and your kids will still be happy. Even if you essentially need the junk food, buy it in bulk before starting your journey.
It will save you from stopping over again and again. Making individual servings is a good idea to avoid any squabbling about sharing. You can look up some easy recipes online for family hikes and trips.
⁕⁕ Dream and Travel Expert Tip ⁕⁕
Kids love nut bars on the go. However, avoid it if your little one is allergic to nuts. You can instead use roasted sunflower seeds and date paste to make tasty and healthy energy bars for them.
Popcorn and pea chips are other terrific options for their sudden appetites. These will appease their cravings without adverse effects.
Chat Often:
Too much planning about the activities or busy bags is not really needed. The fun about a road trip is to have quality family time. And when you talk about quality family time, opportunities for conversations are a must.
This period can be an excellent opportunity to determine what’s on your kids’ minds. Know about their favorite things. Know about their problems and give them solutions.
Give them some hypothetical situations to stir up their imagination. When you visit an attraction, discuss it with your kids. Ask them to share what they have learned.
You can choose any topic to talk about. You can tell stories about your childhood.
⁕⁕ Dream and Travel Tips on Planning the Perfect Road Trip with Kids⁕⁕
Encourage your munchkins to join you when researching the places you want to visit. Share the stories of the place with them. Also, ask them to read about the place.
Throughout the journey, you can discuss what they learned about the destination. It’s a great way of sharing knowledge and keeping them entertained throughout the trip.
3. Plan Stretch Breaks Before Time:
Look up all the information online about your road trip beforehand. Gather all the information about the rest stops and your favorite restaurants along your chosen route. You even get to discover the cheapest gas using some useful apps. Plan your nap times beforehand too. This will make your itinerary more fun and convenient.
4. Take Turns while Driving:
If you have opted for a long distance road trip, make sure to take turns while driving. You can also assign roles of the navigator and the driver. The navigator should stay awake in order to entertain the kids. And he should also make sure to check on the driver. To avoid snoozing, he should talk to the driver. The role of the navigator is important because if your kids fall asleep, then someone has to make sure the driver doesn’t fall asleep.
5. Make a Playlist for the Trip:
You can make this a family activity. Involve all the family members and your kids in particular to choose their favorite beats. You will not find all your favorite stations on the go. And you don’t want the same songs on repeat on a long route. Therefore, make a comprehensive list of songs to make the drive fun.
6. Dispose of Trash at Every Stop:
Although it’s self-explanatory, know that trash piles up very quickly while you are on the road. It’s a good practice to get rid of the trash on every stop. Instead of piling it up, until there is no space in the car.
7. Expect the Unexpected:
When kids are with you, you should expect anything. Prep well for every possibility, from carsickness to salt line crackers and paper towels. Keep all such stuff within easy reach. A sick kid in the car can make things worse. Keep plenty of paper towels and bags to keep your vehicle clean in any sickness. Keep baby wipes if you have tots along, especially if you are still toilet-training them.
8. Have a Few Surprises:
Kids love surprises. Be creative in giving them different options and activities. Don’t give them all the choices and activities at once. Use your surprises when they become restless or bored. They would love a surprise toy or treat at that point. We usually travel at night and that’s why I looked up some treats for kids using one of the FiOS Internet plans. Glow sticks are a great idea for road trips at night. They will keep your kids engaged for a long time. Happy Traveling!
9. Let Your Kid Plan a Stop
While planning a road trip with kids, ask the little ones about the places they want to stop at. They may have researched the journey well and helped you explore the things you did not expect.
Further, asking them for the desired stops and sticking to that plan is essential to involve them in the planning part. This simple trick keeps them excited throughout the trip, and you make them feel important in this way.
Moreover, you can consider it a preparation for a travel enthusiast. They will know how to chalk out a sound travel plan as they grow up.
10. Leave On Time (Early if Possible)
You must adhere to the schedule while on a road trip with kids. Trust me! With kids, you will need some extra time. They have their moods, and I have already discussed the surprises.
If you ask me, I suggest you start a little early so you can reach the destination on time.
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