Road trips can be a great opportunity to spend time with the family.  Unlike the hustle-and-bustle of flying, driving is done at a slower more leisurely pace.  After all, you are on vacation - what's the hurry?   These days, cars are quite comfortable, and the array of portable electronics that kids have access to is seemingly never ending.   However, no matter how luxurious your wheels are, there is still a high likelihood that taking a road trip with children will result in cries of “I’m bored!” and “Are we there yet?” Proper planning can help avoid these cries and make the trip more enjoyable for the whole family.

Tip #1) Make a Driving Schedule

Of course, no road trip will ever go perfectly as planned. You hit traffic, you have to stop for an emergency bathroom break, or you get engine trouble. However, you should start out with a general plan of action – one which ideally emphasizes driving as much as possible when the kids are likely to be asleep. So drive early in the morning and later in the evening – but don’t sacrifice your own sleep! If you spend more time driving while the kids are sleeping, you have more time during the day for needed breaks and distractions.

Tip #2) Put the Kids in Charge

When the kids start asking “Are we there yet?” hand them a map and ask them to tell you how much longer it will be until you reach your destination. Mark out your route on the map ahead of time, and enlist their help in figure out distance and directions. Not only will this help them to feel involved and to have a sense of responsibility, it will also help them learn skills that they will need later in life (like how to read a map).

Tip #3) Plan Your Route

Planning your route should entail much more than figuring out how you will get from Point A to Point B. Investigate scenic routes or interesting stops along the way that you can incorporate to help distract and entertain the kids, as well as contribute to an overall sense of adventure on the trip. After all, what’s the point of a road trip if you’re not enjoying the sights along the way? Consider your travel route part of your destination.

Tip #4) Plan Your Entertainment

Bringing an automotive DVD player along for the ride is a great way of distracting the kids on long highway stretches when there is nothing to see outside the window.  AudioVideo2go sells very reasonably priced rear seat DVD player which you may want to consider.   

Tip #5) Bring Healthy Snacks

Finally, don’t let yourself get off track by making multiple stops for snacks and drinks. Pack a cooler stocked with healthy options for both. Steer clear of items that have too much sugar or caffeine, as this will cause hyperactivity, making kids more restless and intolerant of a long drive.

Family road trips can be fun and enjoyable for the whole family. Planning ahead can help ease some of the bumps along the road that can come with traveling with children.

What other tips have you found especially helpful for travelling with children? Share them below!