Car trips can be a blessing and a curse for families with kids (especially if you have toddlers). What they experience depends in many ways on their approach and the mood they set at the very start. Their planning and preparation also play a big role.
Advice to Transform Your Car Getaways: No More Stressful Adventures
So, if your goal goes beyond just surviving the trip and enjoying it to the fullest, employ proven tips and think of many details before packing your family in a car and pressing the gas pedal.
#1. Plan your route & stops!
When traveling across the country, it’s vital to pick the best roads and pitstops, evaluate the ride’s duration, and have a Plan B if it’s going to take longer. Think ahead about suitable versions of hotels and car rent with regard to the cost, number of drivers, and passengers. Check out specific locations of rental agencies that interest you most, e.g. VAN rental Tampa Airport. Renting at Tampa airport means flexible offers and comfortable vehicles for whole families. If your way lies ahead across green lawns or attractive city parks, why not ease the journey by stopping at such picturesque places to have ‘run time’ and letting little humans unwind?
In addition, make kids a part of the road trip. The good idea is to have a colorful paper map for them (in case the GPS signal goes out). This will give a kid’s mind a clear idea of where they are traveling and trace the route while learning some important lessons in geography. Yet, even if it does happen, Tep Wireless might save the ride for the driver.
#2. Map out the journey together!
Being mindful enough for your entire family to make decisions is the first key to a successful ride. Families where everybody, including toddlers, has the right to choose places of destination, snacks, and activities to do on vacation always win. Deciding together on interesting spots to visit along the way and paying attention to specific sights or animals they want to see will boost the travel satisfaction.
#3. Use smart packing up techniques!
There’s wisdom in bringing neither too much nor too little stuff and using car space well without cluttering but picking up all essentials. Again, here you may set a quantity limit for every child regarding the toys they want to take or let each have 1 backpack for that. Suggest road games and screen-free activities to do collectively.
Packing up like a pro doesn’t come overnight and needs some practice. For instance, use the rule for keeping irreplaceable and emergency items in carry-on bags or using packing cubes for each family member. Teaching kids how to pack their own luggage is another valuable thing – just think about it, this skill is going to stay with them for life. So, forget doing it instead of your youngsters. For instance:
- have a routine of making up checklists;
- creating ready outfits based on their checklists;
- packing up devices separately in neat organizers;
- organizing space in the bag to fit all items, etc.
#4. Provide balanced snacks!
Ideally, prepare a small cooler with versatile snacks that won’t turn into a mess after 8 hours of the trip. Make them different and fitted for everyone’s needs: sliced fruits and veggies, crackers, canned food, cereals, just whatever goes well.
Include these simple tips in your wandering around the world, and your kids will feel an important element of every part of your family trip!
ABOUTME
We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.
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