A road trip is a wonderful opportunity for parents to bond with their children, no matter their age. However, the younger the kids, the more preparation you need to have an enjoyable journey. Here are some road trip tips if you’re traveling with children under the age of 12.
1. Plan some age-appropriate, engaging activities
Younger kids who need car seats can get restless and bored quickly on a road trip. So, keep their toys and games within reach and engage them with conversation. Coloring books are also great for road trips, but keep the crayons and colored pencils in a Tupperware container to keep them neatly. Same with Play-Doh, Legos, and other types of toys with small parts–a plastic container for these items will be a lifesaver on a road trip.
For older kids, pack their favorite comic books, puzzles, dolls, action figures, and other favorites to keep them occupied. Try to break up their screen time with hands-on activities with fun road trip games like I Spy or trivia.
2. Pack enough healthy snacks and drinks
Don’t let your kids get hangry on your road trip. Otherwise, they’ll need more stops and distract you while you drive. Pack snacks like fruits, vegetables, trail mix, and finger foods in portioned containers, plus more than enough water and juice to keep them hydrated. Save the candy for extra-special treats.
3. Choose age-appropriate destinations and attractions
A road trip with kids under 12 will have lots of rest stops, not just for bathroom breaks but to just let them run around and explore. Children have shorter attention spans, so a long stretch of road will quickly get boring. Pace your journey accordingly in terms of distance, driving time, fuel consumption, and attractions. Plan to stop at parks, museums, amusement centers, zoos, aquariums, beaches, lakes, science centers, etc., depending on your kids’ age and interests.
4. Consider your safety from all angles
Child safety on a road trip means more than car seats and seatbelts. It’s about checking the weather conditions before you head out and making sure you and your kids are dressed appropriately. It also means having a fully stocked first aid kit and emergency contacts for clinics and hospitals along the way. Share your travel plans with your loved ones and check in with them regularly while you’re on the road. Drive defensively, even if your road trip vehicle has the latest safety features.
5. Be prepared for motion sickness
Extended road trips can trigger motion sickness in children, making them nauseated, dizzy, tired, or drowsy. It’s usually caused by a sensory mismatch, meaning your body registers motion but your eyes don’t. Winding roads or sudden stops and starts while you drive can feel uncomfortable for your children. You can reduce the chances of motion sickness for your kids by:
- Using a booster seat to allow your child to see out the window and look at the horizon. Have some travel pillows on hand to make sitting more comfortable.
- Avoiding heavy meals before and during the road trip. Light snacks can minimize the chances of vomiting from motion sickness.
- Keeping the windows open to allow fresh air to flow through the vehicle. If not, keep the air conditioning in the vehicle cool and constant.
- Avoiding screen time and encouraging your kids to look outside or play some active games.
- Taking regular breaks every couple of hours to alleviate any motion sickness symptoms.
6. Celebrate milestones big and small
When you have kids on a road trip, your milestones go beyond reaching your destination. Reward your kids when they spot something interesting on the journey, finish their snacks, or put away their toys neatly. Appreciate them when they win their road trip games or look out for each other as they explore attractions. Recognize them when they take great photos during the trip or have a super fun singalong. This is what makes the road trip fun and keeps you motivated, especially during an extended journey.
Looking for road trip ideas? How about 100 to start you off? 100 Road Trips in the USA: An Alphabetical List of Scenic Drives, National Parks, Historic Monuments, and Incredible Attractions in America.
Out now: Order your copy today.
100 Road Trips 