It can be pretty frustrating to travel, and that feeling only multiplies when you are bringing children along. When they are not entertained, they can become impatient and become a huge distraction. Road trips are generally a bit more relaxing than other ways of traveling, and this guide will help things flow a bit smoother.
Play music in the car that will appeal to the entire family. Adults make the mistake of playing music they like while the children sit in the backseat and grumble. You want your children to enjoy the trip, so try playing things everyone will like. If there is no consensus about what should be played, have everyone alternate playing what they like. This is a way to keep everyone satisfied while on the road.
Set aside time to stop at rest areas. This may seem a little frustrating if your goal is to get where you need to go in minimal time, but the reality is that it is necessary if children are with you. While you may be able to control your bladder and withstand long periods in a car, children are not as self-contained as adults. While it is not really necessary to stop at every single rest station, you should stop often enough to allow the children to stretch and use the restroom.
Bring along items to keep the kids entertained. There are many companies that sell smaller versions of their popular games for travelers. Buy several of these as well as other things that would be fun to do on the road. Variety is important since the trip may be a bit long. If you are going to bring along anything that requires batteries, make sure you bring plenty. You do not want to be out on the road with a cranky child that has nothing to keep him occupied.
While you do want to focus on the road ahead, do not forget to interact with the children while you are on the road. Ignoring them will only make more restless, which means they may become cranky and irritable. Talk to them about the trip and the things you plan to do when you reach your destination. Also, ask them if they have any ides of additional activities they would like to do that may not have been on your list.
Have snacks and drinks available at all times. Many people make the mistake of relying on rests stops for food. This is not to say that having a sandwich or a meal at a rest stop is a bad thing, but you should still have some things around for the kids to much on. Remember to bring drinks, but limit their amounts since the bathroom stops may not be so close together.
A lot of planning is the main thing needed when traveling with children. Do not make the mistake of trying to be spontaneous when there are little ones involved. The tips here should help you create a road trip the entire family will enjoy.