No matter if it's Holiday-time or a day-off or more from school, you'll likely be hitting the road with the family sometime over the next few months. Anytime you are traveling by car even just for a short ride with kids can take a decent amount of preparation.
So how do you plan for a longer family road trip?
That requires focus, planning ... and lots and lots of extras. It's the little things like snacks and ways to keep the kids comfortable and entertained so you don't hear the dreaded "I'm bored" or "are we there yet?" You'll even find these travel tips and tricks helpful for anytime day-trips by car.
I asked moms to share their best travel hacks.
Here are just a few of their tried-and-true tactics to survive road trips with the family
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Clean and Organized
Give kids a place for all their stuff
- Use plastic tray tables with pockets / side storage to make a "desk" for their snacks, crafts, books, or tablets.
Think about the trash
- Put a small trash can, box or bag between the seats . . . and remind the kids regularly - to use it!
Small cloth towels / roll of paper towels
- Unfortunately spills can happen and these can come in handy. If you are eating to-go while on the road hang on to the extra napkins, just in case.
Wipes
- Baby wipes can be magical cleaners for many kinds of messes, no matter your child's age! They also help keep your car clean from sticky finger.
Extra rolls of toilet paper
- You might have to make a pit stop, and busy highway restrooms can run out of essentials - Yikes! Also in a pinch you can use to wipe hands, noses and clean up spills.
Traveling with little ones?
- Bring a portable potty seat to make it easier for younger kids to use public toilets. Consider packing a portable potty for side of the road needs - and a plastic bag to line it.
- Pack a changing pad, large towel or blanket for car changing. Bring small trash bags / zip-up plastic bags to contain the smell of dirty diapers when a trash can isn't available.
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Snacks & hydration
Pack extras
- Because no matter what, you won't have enough.
Water Bottles
- Bring refillable water bottles and refill as needed. For the younger kids - I like the ones with built in straws, less chance of spills. If you have little ones consider bringing a sippy cup with water. You can even pack a larger bottle for refills on the go.
Package snacks in small portions
- It's more economical and earth-friendly if you DIY snacks into smaller portions - for instance, put snack in a plastic container or bag rather than handing your kids back a full-sized container. Do that and they'll either eat it all or spill it all — either way, you're better off portioning out for them! You can also buy pre-packaged snacks if that's easier.
- Consider choosing less messy snacks like cut up raw veggies, apples, cheese sticks and nuts. They are healthier and less messy than chips and crackers. Energy bars / granola bars are good too, but maybe skip the crumbly ones or those with chocolate.
- If you have little ones make sure you skip anything that can be a chocking hazard - grapes should be cut in half, and believe it or not popcorn, nuts and even carrots can be problematic for the littles. Cheese sticks and apples were my go-to car snacks.
- Keep in mind if you're on a long trip and snacks need to be cool you can pack a small cooler or insulated lunch box / bag.
Pack a Lunch
- It's not always convenient to stop for a bite. If you are looking to increase efficiency, save some time or want budget friendly options - consider packing a lunch for the family. If you choose to eat on the go in the car think about less messy options. You can also stop by a park or rest-stop and have a picnic. This is a win-win because the kids can get their wiggles out and make a bathroom pit-stop all at the same time before you get back on the road.
Bring utensils / cutlery
- Even if you don't pack food that needs to be cut or peeled, you might wish at some point for a knife or fork — so bring one along, just in case! If you are like me you have a drawer in you kitchen full of to-go utensils - grab some for your road-trip.
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Keep the kids engaged
Play a game
- Check out this list of 9 family road trip games for the best car trip ever! Or make up your own.
Prepare a travel package for each child
- Put together a bag or bin for each child that includes everything they'll need on the road, plus a few surprises that they can keep within reach in the car. Need some ideas take a peek below.
Games and Toys
- Check out your local dollar type / discount store for some fun small toys or travel games to keep kids entertained.
Something to Read
- Bring along some books or comic books to read.
How about Mad Libs?
- Kids love these, you can buy them online or pick them up at a local book store. Did you know there is even a Mad Libs app?
No-tech Art
- Coloring books and crayons or mess free markers and coloring pages - look for these at your dollar stores for big savings.
- Magnet drawing boards or an Etch-a-sketch are good for hours of mess free fun.
Play a family-friendly audiobook
- Find a book or podcast you will all enjoy to wile away the hours. There are lots of free options available from the library.
Get a travel app
- We love the RoadTrippers app, which identifies quirky roadside attractions, scenic points, national parks, and more on your route.
Fully charge your electronics before you leave home
- Make sure tablets and headphones are fully charged.
- Download movies to them in advance, and make sure there's plenty of offline content available.
- Remember to bring your charging cords and plugs too.
Don't forget the hotspot
- Keep the kids entertained on their tablets or phones by enabling a WiFi hotspot in your car if it has one or on your phone for kids to use. Or bring a portable hotspot - some libraries even allow you to borrow portable hotspots! Not taking a hotspot? Download books, movies, and offline content before you leave home.
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Keep the kids comfy
Dress them for comfort
- Have them wear something comfortable and not too warm, it can get hot in the car even on a cool day.
No Warm clothing or jackets
- With safety in mind don't put jackets or warm clothing on kids riding in the car - especially for kids in car seats. Not only can it make them overheat but it can also compromise the safety harness or seatbelt ability to keep them secure. If they really want their jackets they can put them on backwards after they are buckled in.
- Macaroni Tip: Personally I recommend small throws or blankets. They can share one big one or each have their own little ones. During the colder months I keep a small fleece blanket for each child in my car. Read more here.
Stop often
- Check in with your kids regularly to see if they need a bathroom break anytime you see a convenient place to stop.
- Also gas stations and convenience stores Do have healthy snacks. Think about cheese sticks, pre-cut fruit or veggies, nuts and even bananas.
- Get out and walk - stretch your legs. If there is a safe place to get out and run around and play - take advantage and let you kids get their wiggles out. Think rest-stop or even a local park. This will make for happy kids and parents too.
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The most important thing to pack . . . Patience. Give yourself and your kids some grace and expect things not to go entirely smoothly, no matter how much you've planned. Just remember: Often the best family road trip memories are made when the unexpected occurs!
Kristin Fouts is the publisher of Macaroni KID Hendriks, Ind.
Edited by Brenna Gutell, publisher of Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas, CA
