For some, the idea of travelling across the US or Europe by car with the kids is almost unbearable. Fear of them getting bored, sick or irritated can transform a brilliant family holiday into the trip from hell.
With the right amount of planning, all children can enjoy a long road trip anywhere while the parents can sit back and enjoy the view! It’s time to stop seeing the travel as a means between A and B, and start seeing it as part of the holiday!
Being prepared
As much as travelling with kids requires the ability to be spontaneous, you can usually tell what will keep them entertained for the vast majority of the trip. Ensuring you have plenty of food with a long shelf life for snacks and meals, replacement batteries and chargers for gadgets and all of the possible medications that you may need will ensure a stress-free trip.
Long car journeys can be exhausting for everyone, especially the driver. Before setting off the prepared parent will have planned stop and rest points where the kids can run around and burn some energy, as well as have somewhere safe and comfortable to sleep at night.
Saving tips and tricks
It can sometimes feel as though that, in order to have a really great time, you must spend far more money than you have, which only serves to make you stressed and worried. There are a few things you can do to ensure that you don’t spend over the odds on holiday though.
Making a realistic budget before setting off including food and gas will ensure that you don’t find yourself surprised by the bill at the end. Don’t forget to have enough to cover these essentials as you could find yourself short.
Eating ‘in’ for two meals a day mean that you can prepare food and ensure that those meals have already been covered. With the money you’ll save, you can then indulge in a fun and delicious meal in a local diner that all the family can enjoy.
Keeping the kids entertained
While some children might be happy with a good book to keep them quiet for the entire trip, most children need more entertainment than this for several hours at a time. Playing games such as ‘I Spy…’ will not only keep them happy, it will also make them feel like part of the trip. This useful entertaining print and play games booklet makes sure the kids have fun on a road trip
My family and I like stop at state signs and take pictures upon entry. Some of our favourite come from Mississippi and Florida as the signs are really fun and the kids love looking back. It makes every destination special and exciting to get to!
Colouring and paper games are great for families with more than one child as it allows them to play together without having to run around or use lots of toys – something that isn’t really possible in a car!
Guest post in association with ArgusCarHire.com.
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