Embarking on a road trip with kids might sound like a recipe for chaos, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little planning, some creativity, and a dash of patience, you can turn your journey into a fun-filled adventure. Ready to make some unforgettable memories? Buckle up, because here’s how to survive (and even enjoy) a road trip with kids!
When my “Bigs” (a set of boy/girl twins and another daughter born 18 months later) were little, we would regularly take at least one multiple-week road trip a year to explore a part of America. These road trips featured a 3:1 kid-to-parent ratio, and boy did I learn a lot about taking a road trip with kids from those experiences!
Any parent who has spent more than 30 minutes in a car with children knows that traveling with kids comes with the potential for chaos. From backseat bickering to mind-numbing kid-friendly music on endless repeat (I’m glaring at you, Baby Shark!), the thought of a road trip with kids may make you want to curl up in a fetal position.
But with the right preparation and a healthy dose of flexibility, a road trip can be an incredible adventure that creates lasting memories for the whole family. From kid-friendly snacks to family-friendly entertainment and everything in between, here are helpful tips for surviving (and even enjoying) a road trip with kids.
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Have You Taken a Road Trip with Kids?
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Plan Ahead
Preparation is key to a smooth trip. Expect that a road trip with kids will take extra time and involve more stops than if you were traveling alone or as a couple. Do your research and be overprepared. Before you even pull out of the driveway, be sure you’ve identified gas stations, family-friendly restaurants, and other potential stops.
Timing is Everything
When it comes to road trips with kids, timing can make or break the experience. Consider your children’s schedules and try to plan your travel around their nap times or bedtime. A sleeping child means peaceful driving for you. Early morning starts can also be beneficial. Kids are usually in a better mood after a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast.
“Every year, we do a 24-hour drive straight with our three kids to one of our favorite vacation spots. Some of my biggest tips are to leave before dusk so that they sleep a good chunk of it and to have new activities on hand. They make travel-size games of classics like Trouble, which are perfect for siblings sitting side by side.”
Bring Personal Items
Bringing personal items such as pillows, blankets, and your child’s favorite “lovey” (like a teddy bear or a stuffed lamb) leads to better sleep in the car. If you’re traveling with a toddler, make sure to bring a travel potty chair in case your child needs to go when you’re in the middle of nowhere.
Sage Advice: Have a kiddo who is fully potty trained but still frightened by the loud, powerful flush of an automatic toilet? I feel you. One of my kids was afraid of those things until she was nearly 10. Here’s a great tip: Keep some Post-it notes in your purse. Cover the electronic eye that controls the automatic flush before your child gets on the toilet and don’t remove it until they are all finished and at a comfortable distance from the toilet.
Pack Lots of Snacks
Hungry kids are unhappy passengers. Pack a variety of snacks that are easy to eat in the car — think finger foods like pretzels, cheese sticks, sliced fruits, and vegetables. Avoid anything too messy or sugary to prevent sticky situations. Don’t forget to have water bottles handy too.
If your kids are picky eaters and prefer homemade food, make sure to have more filling options as well. If your child doesn’t enjoy eating out, you’ll be glad to have packed sandwiches, boiled eggs, or another mealtime option.
Prepare Entertainment
When your kids are awake, keep them busy and entertained with family-friendly road trip games. Rotate some new or forgotten toys and books, too. Coloring books, stickers, and travel-size board games are all great options.
When I took “big adventures” with my children, I’d channel my inner Blue’s Clues and create activity books for the car. Each booklet included pages like:
- A map of the United States to color while playing the license plate game
- Word searches with a list of travel-themed words
- Crossword puzzles based on the stops we made and the things we would be seeing and doing on our trip
- An age-appropriate daily travel journal page
These activity books were my secret weapons. They kept the kids busy for hours, and I think I enjoyed making them as much as they enjoyed working on them.
During particularly long stretches of the trip, electronic devices can be a lifesaver. Make sure your child’s iPad is fully charged and loaded with kid-friendly content before you hit the road — and since it’s vacation, let them have a little more screen time than usual if needed.
Create a Kid-Friendly Playlist
Music is a great way to keep spirits high during long stretches on the road. Involve your kids in creating a playlist with their favorite tunes. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing along to “Let It Go” more times than you can count — it’s all part of the fun (and good advice for keeping your sanity)!
Don’t Forget the Essentials
There are a few things that are simply must-haves on family road trips. You never know where you might be stuck, or for how long, so always expect the unexpected and be prepared. Here are some of the essentials to have in the car:
- Tissues
- Wet wipes
- Paper towels
- A roll of toilet paper
- Trash bags
- Extra clothes (because carsickness is real)
- First aid kit
- Charging cords for electronic devices
- Extra water
- Extra food
Stop Often
Even with the best entertainment and distractions, most kids will eventually get bored on a road trip. Regular stops, especially at places where they can run and play for a little bit, help your road trip go more smoothly. City parks and elementary schools are usually a good choice. By planning your stops in advance (remember my first pointer above?), you can be more efficient and incorporate them into another stop for gas, a bathroom break, or mealtime.
Be Patient and Flexible
Road trips with kids rarely go exactly according to plan. Be ready to adjust your schedule and route if needed. Traffic jams, bad weather and meltdowns can (and probably will) happen. Stay calm and be ready to pivot to your backup plan when the speed bumps of life slow you down.
Embrace the Journey
Road trips are more than just getting from point A to point B. They offer a chance to bond as a family, create lasting memories, and experience new things. Enjoy the scenery by discussing fun facts about the places you pass through with your kids. If you see something interesting along the way, take a detour and explore. You might stumble upon a hidden gem or create an unexpected adventure.
Happy Travels
A road trip with kids can be a test of patience, but with the right approach, it can also be incredibly rewarding. By planning ahead, staying flexible, and focusing on making the trip enjoyable, you’ll create lasting memories that your family will treasure. So, load up the car, hit the road, and enjoy the adventure together. And remember, even if things don’t go exactly as planned (spoiler alert: they often don’t), those unexpected moments often become the stories you’ll laugh about for years to come.
Have You Road Tripped with Kids?
What was your most unforgettable family road trip moment? The epic car karaoke session, the accidental detour that led to an amazing discovery, or the snack that saved the day? Share your road trip tips and tales from the road in the comments below.
Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.
