Forget your exotic holiday destinations – we’re having a staycation this year. When I tell people we’re taking a long car trip with the kids I am faced with one of three reactions. “Why don’t you fly?” from child-free people who don’t have to factor in the price of the extra tickets; “that will be fun” from empty-nesters who have had the benefit of time to rose-tint their memories; or a heartfelt “good luck!” from parents with kids who have been there, done that, and got the travel sick stained T-shirt.
Since my motto for any family holiday is “Plan for the worst. Hope for the best” I have put together a suitcase of resources to help prepare for a family road trip.
Try these Five Car Ride Games
… and check out these six top tips for trouble free car travel.
Some ideas for encouraging good behaviour in a small space
Super hints from Kids Activities Blog for travelling with really young children.
Awesome printable road trip activities at Lalymom.
The Measured Mom takes care of entertainment for kids aged 2-8.
Playdough Potato has put together a cool road trip activity pack.
Check out these non-screen distractions from Learn with Play at Home.
Games galore from Inner Child Fun.
Mess for Less lists her summer road trip essentials.
Embrace everyday technology with this great idea from Kid World Citizen…
…or avoid screens completely with the help of Playtivities.
Small and Friendly has a clever way of dealing with the infernal “are we there yet?”
My Life and Kids shares her extensive experience of road trips with kids here.
See what happens when The Stay at Home Mom Survival Guide hits the road
Scavenge ideas from the road trip printables at 3 Boys and a Dog.
Sunshine and Hurricanes lists some fab child-friendly road trip apps.
Creative Connections always has great ideas, and travelling in cars with kids is no exception.
Get some inspiration for your road trip playlist at The Pleasantest Thing.
Readers will love I Can Teach My Child’s suggestions for books about road trips.
If they’d prefer a movie, head over to Edventures for suggestions to keep them quiet
A blogger after my own heart, Parenting Chaos, gives tips for preparing for a successful trip
There are hints for how to cope in a small space at The Chaos and the Clutter.
Get organised like Your Modern Family.
I will certainly be putting together road trip busy bags like The Typical Mom’s
What are your best tips for surviving family road trips?
19 Comments on "How to survive a family road trip"
Vinz Prasetyo
April 8, 2016You have excellent recommendations.
Alan Rowse
March 17, 2016Great ideas! Wish I had seen this before we drove 4 hours to Nottingham! I actually had one child in the front and an adult in the back to keep this less stressful!
kholis
February 28, 2016thats a great tip, hope my boys love it
mishal khan
February 15, 2016its amaizng article. i m glade to see your post. its to intresting thanks for shear us.
Angelhotel
February 9, 2016Nice post on how to make kids engaged and entertained on a travel. These tip will surely make the trip memorable and enjoyable.
Shell Louise
August 24, 2015A portable dvd player is our salvation on long trips. We're planning a holiday at October half term but we've decided to go close to home this year so our caravan is only about an hour and a half away :)
Mark McKnight
August 24, 2015That's exactly what we do with our kids on long car trips. A portable DVD system with a small screen on the back of each head-rest. Lucky enough they both love watching the same movies.
Fritha Strickland
August 23, 2015road trip pictionary sounds like great fun! We've not doing any massive family road trips but some great ideas for train or plane journeys too! x
oana79
August 20, 2015Oh, love the road trip alphabet pictionary, will try and print one for tomorrow's car trip, thank you for the tip!xx
Mums do trave;
August 20, 2015My kids are 17 and 12 years old now and the most important thing for them is to have their gadgets charged up and loaded with music for long journeys. Also to have a fleece blanket which they use to help them get comfortable.
Kara
August 20, 2015We find games work with the older ones, it is Sebby we sometimes struggle with
Erica Price
August 20, 2015I love the sound of putting together a road trip bag. Generally we go for the screen option, but on longer trips we need something else.
Charly Dove
August 19, 2015So many brilliant ideas, I love this post! If we're on long car journeys we're often singing and playing I Spy but there comes a time when you need a little more than that! Thank you so much for sharing :)
angela hamilton
August 19, 2015what a fantastic post. Brilliant ideas which I have taken note of for the next road trip we go on x
Jen Walshaw
August 19, 2015I dont know where I would be without the gadgets and gizmos on the long trips!
Anne
August 18, 2015what a great round up post..my tip is travel throughout the night so they sleep all the way :)
Joanne Dewberry
August 18, 2015Great ideas! Wish I had seen this before we drove 4 hours to Nottingham! I actually had one child in the front and an adult in the back to keep this less stressful!
Sarah Bailey
August 18, 2015What some great sounding games, I am an only child but I still remember playing games on road trips. x
Mum of One
August 18, 2015LOL this is my favourite post title EVER! So been there.