Ah, it’s summer. The time for lemonade, fireflies, and road trips.
We took a lot of road trips together as a family when I was growing up. We would hitch up the pop-up camper to the back of our station wagon and take off. We explored the Black Hills, the Ozarks, Washington D.C., southern Louisiana, and more. I look back on those times with fondness and want to give my kids similar experiences.
Our family currently takes one road trip each summer–back to Texas and Oklahoma to visit our families. This is a two-day trip, with ten hours on the road each day. When you have three very small children (ages 6, almost 3, and 1), that is a lot of time in the car!
However, with a little advanced planning and a positive attitude, we’ve learned how to actually enjoy a road trip with kids. Here are the tips we’ve learned along the way:
How to Enjoy a Road Trip with Kids:
1. Make Sure Everyone is Well-Rested and Well-Fed
Most parents of young children know the equation:
Hungry Children + Tired Children = Crabby Children
So, we make a real effort to ensure that our kids are well-rested and well-fed when we travel. How?
-We don’t typically begin driving until 9:00 a.m. That way our kids have a full night’s sleep and a good breakfast.
-We have to spend one night in a hotel along the way, and we make sure it is a comfortable hotel with a hearty breakfast. The last few years we’ve used Ebates to get some cash back on our hotel purchase. We were even able to score a 10% cash back deal last year that really added up fast! (If you’re new to the idea of Ebates–getting cash back for shopping online–be sure to check out my post on Earning Money Through Ebates.)
2. Every Stop is an Active Stop
Kids need to move. Sitting for long periods of time can make anyone cranky, and kids are no exception. So, we try to make each stop an active stop. In addition to getting gas, going to the bathroom, or eating, we want our kids to be able to move and play.
–We map out all of the rest stops with picnic tables on our route. That sounds like a lot of work, but it is really not too bad. I simply Google “rest stops on I-40 West” and get an entire list. This list includes the exit number and the amenities. That way, I can look at my list while we’re driving and say, “There is a rest stop with picnic tables in 30 miles. Let’s stop there for lunch.” We eat and the kids run around. Win!
-Bring some balls, jump ropes, or other outdoor toys along. Kids can have fun actively playing at the rest stops.
–Chick-Fil-As are another of our favorite stops. We love that each one has a nice play area!
3. Institute Afternoon Quiet Time
Our kids have quiet time each afternoon at home from 12-2. The youngest two nap, and the oldest reads on his bed. Because they are used to the routine, we simply keep them on it even on the road. Our youngest naturally fall asleep after lunch, and our oldest son reads to himself. This helps keep the kids well-rested and provides my husband and I with a little quiet time, too!
4. Novelty is a Good Thing
We try to have a few (small) new items for our kids to play with on the road trip. Our favorite items are non-messy art supplies–like sticker books and Magna Doodles. Our kids will spend hours playing with these! We also get a few new-to-them books and toys.
–We introduce one new item per morning or afternoon. For example, they may get a sticker book in the morning and a new matchbox car in the afternoon.
–We also bring along our personal DVD player for our oldest two. We don’t have a DVD player in our van (on purpose!), and our kids don’t watch a lot of television in general. So, it is a real treat when they get to watch something on vacation. They are allowed to watch one movie per day of the road trip.
5. Read, Read, Read
I can remember which books my mother read aloud to us on each family vacation. She would choose one classic (like The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe) and read for an hour or two each day. We sat captivated by the story and couldn’t wait for the next installment. I am excited to continue this with our children. Last summer Big Brother and I read Little House on the Prairie. This year I am checking out How to Train Your Dragon. He can’t wait!
-Choose a fun book to read aloud together. Ask your librarian for ideas if you need inspiration.
-Download or check out an audiobook. Bonus: you can listen to it even when it gets dark! (Pssst. You can get a FREE 30 day trial of Audible with this link. Download and keep two books for free–even if you cancel your membership!)
Our summer road trip is coming up soon, and I am ready. Bring on the fun!
What tips do you have for enjoying a road trip with your kids?
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(Linked to Frugal Fridays, Small Victories Sunday.)
I love road trips! we go to the jersey shore every year which is about an eight hour drive. These are great tips! Thanks for linking up to Small Victories Sunday Link Up!