Katie and Pierce
Road trips with kids can be amazing family adventures or total chaos! After gathering advice from experienced parents, here are some of the most helpful tips to make your next family road trip smoother and more fun for everyone.
1. Make Sure Your Car Is In Tip-Top Shape
Nothing ruins a road trip faster than car trouble! Take your car to a mechanic a few days before your trip. Have them check the oil, fluid levels, brakes, and tires.
Getting a tune-up before hitting the road can prevent breakdowns that would be especially stressful with kids in the car. This simple step might save you from being stuck on the side of the highway with cranky children!
2. Load Up On The Right Snacks
Snacks are lifesavers on family road trips! Pack a mix of healthy options like fresh fruit, trail mix, granola bars, and popcorn. Limit sugary treats that might lead to sugar crashes and upset tummies.
Consider keeping snacks with you up front so you can hand them out as needed. This prevents kids from eating everything in the first hour! For younger kids, collapsible silicone snack cups can help prevent big messes.
3. Bring Fun Stuff To Do
Let’s be honest: road trips can get boring for kids. While tablets and screens shouldn’t be your only option, they can be super helpful for parts of the trip. Download movies and apps before you leave!
Also pack screen-free options like coloring trays, water magic activity books (the ones where you just need water to color), and doodle pads. Mix up entertainment throughout the trip to keep things interesting.
4. Be Ready For Spills And Messes
Kids plus road trips equal messes! Pack an emergency cleaning kit with baby wipes, trash bags, paper towels, and hand sanitizer. If anyone gets car sick, you’ll be glad you brought towels and extra clothes too.
Having cleaning supplies within reach makes dealing with spills, sticky fingers, and surprise messes much less stressful.
5. Take Lots Of Breaks
Kids need to move! Plan to stop roughly every 3 hours for bathroom breaks, stretching, and running around a bit. With babies or toddlers, you might need even more stops.
Build extra time into your travel schedule so these breaks don’t stress you out. Remember that a 6-hour drive on Google Maps will probably take 8 hours with kids!
6. Start With A Super Clean Car
Start your trip with a super clean car. Vacuum the floors, wipe down surfaces, clean out cupholders, and yes, even clean those car seats (we know it’s a pain). Beginning with a clean slate means you can handle the inevitable mess that builds up during the trip.
Plus, it’s just more pleasant for everyone to sit in a clean space for hours.
7. Baby Wipes Are Your Best Friend
Baby wipes aren’t just for babies! Keep a pack within easy reach for the driver or front passenger.
You’ll need them for sticky hands, messy faces, spills on clothes, dirty surfaces, and countless other situations. Even with older kids, wipes are road trip gold.
8. Pack A First Aid Kit Just In Case
Be ready for minor emergencies with a good first aid kit. Pack bandages, pain relievers (for both adults and kids), tweezers, antiseptic wipes, and any medications your family might need. Someone always seems to get a headache, minor cut, or splinter during a road trip. Being prepared means these small issues won’t derail your fun.
9. Put Your Stuff Where It Makes Sense
Think carefully about where you put everything in your car. Keep items you’ll need most often within easy reach. For example, put the first aid kit where you can grab it quickly, keep snacks and drinks accessible, and make sure entertainment options are organized so you’re not digging through bags while driving.
A little planning here makes a big difference!
10. Toss The Trash At Every Stop
Make it a rule to clear out all trash every time you stop. Hand out small bags to each kid for their garbage, then collect and toss everything when you get gas or take a break. This simple habit prevents your car from becoming a disaster zone by the end of the trip.
11. Hide A Few Surprise Toys
Pack a few new small toys, books, or activities that your kids haven’t seen before. When morale gets low and everyone’s getting cranky, pull out one of these surprises!
Even something simple like glow sticks for a night drive or a new coloring book can reset the mood and buy you extra happy time.
12. Find Fun Playgrounds On Your Route
For longer trips, look up parks or playgrounds along your route ahead of time. These make perfect stopping spots where kids can run, climb, and burn off energy.
Just a 30-minute play break can make the next leg of driving much more peaceful. Plus, visiting different playgrounds can be fun for the whole family!
13. Keep Everyone Comfy
Long hours in the car call for comfort items! Bring pillows and blankets if you’re driving during nap times. Consider window shades to block the sun or a small fan for hot weather. Dress everyone in comfortable clothes and have layers available if temperatures change. When everyone’s comfortable, there’s much less whining!
14. Don’t Forget Motion Sickness Meds
If anyone in your family gets carsick, be ready with motion sickness remedies. Pack children’s and adult versions of anti-nausea medicine, and give it before symptoms start.
Sitting in the middle seat or front seat can also help, as can keeping eyes on the horizon instead of looking down at books or screens.
15. Bring Your Own Food
Fast food for every meal gets expensive and isn’t always the healthiest choice. Pack at least some of your meals in containers with separate compartments to keep foods from getting soggy.
You can eat in the car or have a picnic at a rest stop. This saves money and often saves time compared to restaurant stops!
