Heading off on your first road-trip with toddlers can be scary, who knows how everyone will behave when confined for that amount of time? (Adults included!) To ensure your first road-trip runs smoothly and make a holiday with the kids a breeze read on for The Routine Mama's tips and tricks to a stress free start to your family holiday.
1. Safety first!
When planning a family road trip you need to be prepared the last thing anyone wants is to be stranded on the side of the road with a car full of restless children. Two weeks before heading off make sure you book your car in for a service, invest in some good quality window shades and check the spare tyre. It is also a great idea to give any baby or child car seats a once over to ensure the seat is installed correctly and securely.
2. Sleeping beauties!
If travelling with babies or younger children I absolutely suggest traveling during their normal day sleep times. The added motion of the car may even encourage a baby to sleep longer.
3. Break it up!
Before heading off familiarise yourself with the journey and schedule regular movement breaks every 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Toddlers and children are not still beings by nature and I always follow the give and take rule. If asking a child to be still for a long period of time we must give some time for playing and activity, regularly. It is super tempting to overlook these breaks in favour of reaching our destination quickly but for a happy road trip; it is worth taking the extra time and exploring along the way. It’s also very important for driver fatigue to take a break from driving to revive the senses.
Stopping on the side of the road to make some new friends.
4. Pack with purpose!
Packing for a holiday is never easy and when it comes to loading the car it can feel like a life size version of Tetris (without any bonus points!) Be mindful to keep essential items accessible. The first aid kit, spare clothes, nappies, wipes and water should be within arm’s reach.
Every mum knows to keep the snacks handy to avoid any hungry melt downs. A child with a hungry tummy is rarely a happy one, and the same goes for the adults. Stack up on your favourite healthy snacks but don't be afraid to sneak the odd lollipop in for those in case of emergency situations. An easily accessible cooler bag is essential.
Pillows and comfort toys at the ready for nap time.
5. Entertainment!
Choose your travel toys and entertainment wisely, in theory it may be a good idea to bring a long a toy with many attachments but I promise you will regret that choice by the 57th back breaking twist to locate the dropped piece of the puzzle or attachment.
My top travel entertainment essentials are - a magna doodle (the pen is attached, no mess, endless games such as noughts and crosses, drawing and creativity for various age groups), children’s music (like The Wiggles or Spotify app) or audio books for those slightly older children and above all else- conversation.
Too often these days we are quick to stimulate a young mind with an electronic device (believe me, I get it! it can be a real life saver sometimes) but good old fashioned travel games like eye spy need to be bought back. For babies and toddlers just practising words, sounds and talking about the scenery is a great learning and bonding opportunity.
We've arrived - enjoying a swim down at the beach.