|
Top 10 Tips For Taking Road Trips With Kids |
|
|
|
Like many other families, our
family takes a number of road trips each year. We have three beautiful
young daughters and people often say to me "How can you stand to take
road trips with young kids?" In fact, I love taking road trips. I now
prefer them to traveling by plane. Here are my top 10 tips for having a
fun and non-stressful driving vacation.
1. Leave early in the
morning, before Breakfast. This way you can get a few hours under your
belt while the kids (hopefully) sleep in the car. Then stop for
breakfast.
2. If your budget allows, buy your child(ren) a new
toy for the trip. Don't let them play with it until you are in the car
and on your way.
3. Bring along a portable DVD player if your
car doesn't already have one. For long trips, pack at least 3 or more
DVD's. It's even better if you can buy a couple of new ones to keep
your child(ren)'s attention better.
4. Pack a cooler with lots
of your kids favorite snacks, drinks and sandwiches. Keep the cooler
handy in the car, so you can just reach in and give them something.
Packing your own food saves on costs.
5. Stop at a nice rest
area to eat your meals. This will be less stressing then hauling the
kids into a crowded McDonald's. When we travel from Texas to Maryland
each year we stop at a beautiful rest area in Tennessee. It has nice
bathroom facilities and is located on several acres giving the kids a
chance to run around and exhaust some of their energy.
6. Stop
every 3-4 hours. If you are traveling with small kids like us, you will
really want to take advantage of this tip. Kids don't have a concept of
time. By the time 3 hours goes by in a car it seems like forever to
them. Even stopping at a gas station and letting everyone get out of
the car and stretch their legs for a few minutes really works.
7.
Play car games. A favorite of ours is ‘Cops and Vette's'. One point is
given for every police car spotted and two points are given for
Corvette's. But if you call a car and it's not correct then you deduct
the points. It even helps to spot that hidden police car before he
spots you!
8. Bring plenty of pillows and blankets. Children are more likely to sleep in the car if they are comfortable.
9.
If you plan to stay somewhere overnight before traveling the next day,
pack everything you need for the night in one bag. That way when you
get to the hotel you don't have to unload the whole car. I buy the
biggest Ziploc bags I can find and put my children's clothes in them
and write their name on it. Then I only take what is needed.
10.
Check the hotels to see if they offer free breakfast. Our favorite
hotel to stay in is Holiday Inn. Kids stay and eat free. If we arrive
at the hotel in the evening, they can eat dinner for free and then
breakfast the next morning. Once again it saves on costs, especially if
you pack your own lunch.
I hope these tips help you on your next road trip.
Kat Saveal Co-owner, The Cue Zone http://www.thecuezone.com
This article is reprinted with permission from www.WritingCareer.com
|
