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?
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine! Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time. KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania. Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on. Get in touch TODAY!
Vinz Prasetyo
Friday 8th of April 2016
You have excellent recommendations.
Alan Rowse
Thursday 17th of March 2016
Great 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
Sunday 28th of February 2016
thats a great tip, hope my boys love it
mishal khan
Monday 15th of February 2016
its amaizng article. i m glade to see your post. its to intresting thanks for shear us.
Angelhotel
Tuesday 9th of February 2016
Nice post on how to make kids engaged and entertained on a travel. These tip will surely make the trip memorable and enjoyable.