Taking an adventurous road trip with your family is one of the most fun and inexpensive ways to see all of the amazing things that are located around you, and it’s a great opportunity to let your kids experience a place that is totally different from where you live, without buying costly plane tickets. The long drives, however, can prove stressful and boring after a few hours (especially with children), so whether you’re taking a long trip down the coast or through the countryside, here are my tips for surviving long road trip journeys.
Pack Smart
So you have everything ready to go – snacks, books, wet wipes? Check! But what’s the point in being perfectly prepared if you aren’t able to easily get to everything? How many times do we go over our checklist again and again only to put the most important travel items in the boot of the car? Solve this problem by getting each child their own little bag for small snacks and car activities, and don’t forget to make a bag for yourself.
Pack the items you’ll need to retrieve quickly like wipes, bags, SOS Products, drinks, and maps in the small bag so that if you need anything urgently it will be quick and easy to find.
Prepare Fun Activities
Traditional car games like I Spy are fun for small kids, but may not keep the attention of older children. Pack activity books or printables (ones that pertain to your road trip are great!) and for children who are even older, get your hands on a disposable camera or let them use your phone and have them take photos of all the sights you drive past. Taking photos is a fun way to stay busy, and has the bonus of providing special mementoes to remember the trip by.
Safety First
Don’t get so preoccupied in planning for the trip ahead that you forget to take care of important details now. If you haven’t had the car looked at in a while, make sure you take it in for an engine tune-up or auto glass repair a few days before you leave. It’s better to run into a problem now rather than when you’re miles away from home! While you’re having your car’s oil changed and brakes checked, take the time to get up-to-date on your driving knowledge by taking a mock driving theory exam on Top Tests’ website. You can never be too practised when it comes to driving! Don’t forget to pack a mobile phone charger for the car, and pack basics like a first aid kit and the tools to change a tyre.
Road trips can be some of the greatest holidays to go on, especially with little ones, as long as you know how to prepare in advance. Hopefully, these tips will help you to make the most of your family trip, or inspire you to plan one for the near future! No matter where you’re travelling to or how you get there, I hope that you have fun and make amazing memories during your trip!