How to Plan a Road Trip with Kids

Taking a road trip around the country is a fun thing to do – particularly when it comes to travelling with kids, which would be a highly memorable experience if you do it right. However, being stuck with your kids for long hours in one place can be a bit frightening – grumpy toddlers can sure become a nightmare. Don’t fret – here we have included some great tips for you to plan a road trip with your kids while keeping your sanity intact.

Do a good road trip research

The best kind of road trips are not the impulsive ones – but the organised kind that also leaves some space for flexibility. You will thank yourself later that you took the time out to plan so that you’re prepared to face even the worst of situations. Planning on the go may take the fun out of the trip and make you quite restless. Although it surely helps everyone to be on a planned road trip, don’t forget to leave room for spontaneous adventure to keep its ‘fun’ element alive. Use popular websites such as The Family Travel Blog to come up with the best things to see and do during your road trip, and also to figure out fascinating places to stop along the way.

Packing for a road trip with kids

Probably the most pressing question that most people have when going on a road trip would be what they should bring for the journey. It wouldn’t do much in terms of relaxing if you stress too much about packing. Once you pack, go through your things again and cut it down by half. You wouldn’t be able to relax if you pack the whole house with you. One of the best family travel tips is to pack light. It would also help if you keep track of the weather forecast to know the weather of your target route as this would allow you to reduce overpacking. Also, make your mind up about the exact activities that you are going to do; preparing for all the activities out there would be pointless and it would only weigh your bags down unnecessarily. Pack less and pack smart so that you will have the most essential things at your hand while on the road.

Saving money on a road trip with kids

A great way to ensure that your money is put to good use is to get your car fully-optimised for efficiency before the great adventure. Not only would it make sure that your car wouldn’t break down in the middle of anywhere, but it would save the costs of fuel. You would think that if you don’t make a stop at all the places you’d come across, the trip wouldn’t be worth it – but no, the fewer places, the better. Stopping at many places would tire your kids and there won’t be much time to completely immerse in the natural surroundings. Also, spending more time at one particular property would win you amazing deals such as getting one night free. What you should also do is try cooking your own food as constantly dining out can kill your budget.

Things to do in the car with kids

Make sure that your kids pack an entertainment bag for the road trip – however, you shouldn’t be so strict with your kids during the trip – loosen up, let go of yourself, and let your kids enjoy more screen time than they usually would at home. You can also pack miniature magnetic versions of the popular board games, so they are easy to handle during the trip. With smaller kids, you can play interactive games such as Eye Spy. Ask your kids to pack their journal, colouring, and storybooks to keep them occupied during long stretches of travelling. Moreover, you can create spontaneous games along the way, keeping your kids amused – your children will surely love them and make this vacation much more memorable to everyone.