10 Tips for Surviving a Road Trip with Kids

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I’ve gone on a few road trips with my kids. They are not always easy, especially when you have toddlers. Our latest trip was a 7 hour drive to Galveston, TX. Here are my 10 tips for surviving a road trip with kids to help you make your road trip a little bit more bearable.

1. Pack fun books that your kids do not see regularly.

I packed several board books with bright, fun pictures that my kids could flip through on their own. I was a bit skeptical whether the board books would actually occupy them, but they worked. We were able to get up to 15 minutes of quiet time with the kids looking at their books.

2. Pack fun snacks and drinks.

You know the rule. Kids love snacks. Pack some of their favorites that they don’t get to eat regularly. I had cookies and gummies stashed for times of crisis!

3. Pick up a fun kids’ music CD.

My husband absolutely dreaded hearing the kids’ music CD, but I had to play it occasionally. We used the Fisher Price If You’re Happy and You Know It and did the motions to the songs with our hands. A favorite was “The Itsy-Bitsy Spider.”

4. Keep wipes up front with you.

Do not forget the wipes! My kids made a huge mess with some pop tarts and the wipes came in handy to clean them up quick.

5. Keep a spare change of clothes up front.

This is one I learned from hindsight. Sis thought it would be funny to stick her fingers down her throat at one point when we were in the middle of nowhere Texas. She puked all over her car seat and herself. Luckily I had the wipes, but I had to climb into the back and dig around for a spare outfit. Oh, and it’s probably a good idea to pack more clothes for your kids than you think you will need!

6. Make frequent stops.

Sure, it may take you a little longer to get to your destination, but a 10 minute stop could be just the thing you need to let the kids stretch their legs, get some fresh air, and be ready to be strapped back in their car seats.

7. Stop for a picnic lunch at a nice rest area.

We found a really nice rest area in a national park to eat lunch. The kids enjoyed looking around their nature center.

8. Bring along some fun games.

I’m not afraid to admit I used fun iPhone apps to keep my kids entertained for a little while. Next time I’d like to make some ISpy bags for the kids, too. Those could kill some time.

9. Make silly faces and point out interesting things.

When the tears started flowing, the silly faces came out to play. I also enjoyed pointing out fun things on the side of the road and making a game out of it. I would ask Bug to find the blue car or the red truck. At one point bright and colorful beach houses started appearing on our journey. The kids loved pointing out the pink house and the blue house.

10. Just relax.

It can be hard when the kids start screaming to get out of their car seats, but you have to try to find your calm. Just think, it’ll all be worth it once you get to your destination!