A road trip is a way for your family to bond and create memories that last a lifetime. A family trip like this can be intimidating, especially when your kids are very young or when you have to drive through rough weather conditions. Let the spirit of adventure guide you and your family, and discover the benefits a family road trip can offer.

Importance of Creating Lasting Memories

Not only do road trips give your kids fond memories to look back on, but they also create much-needed quality time. When you take a road trip with your kids, you invest in expanding their experiences and contributing to their overall emotional well-being. These skills teach your child valuable lessons they will need later in life. It is also beneficial to have kids plan a trip with you. Giving this sense of control over part of your trip boosts self-esteem, especially when you wholeheartedly support their ideas. 

Tips to Prepare for the Road

Once you know your destination, there are some things you can do to ensure your trip is a breeze with less potential for meltdowns, giving you a break from one of life’s stresses.

Before you get on the road, try these tips beforehand to stay safe on the road: 

1. Plan Your Route

Knowing exactly how to get to your location saves time and stress. If you are facing potentially severe or hazardous weather conditions, tell someone the route you will take so they know how to find you if you get stuck. You should have GPS and a backup map, just in case you need to avoid dangerous situations like a wet or icy winter road.

2. Have Your Car Inspected

An inspection before you leave will ensure your vehicle is functioning as it should. Check fluid levels, brakes, windshield wipers, tire pressures, and heating and cooling. A breakdown on the road can have disastrous consequences. 

3. Pack An Emergency Kit

With children and the potential for dangerous weather, you NEED an emergency kit in your vehicle. Basic first aid supplies are a must, as well as extra battery chargers, small, non-perishable food items, and flashlights. Adding some portable warming packs will help you stay warm if you get stuck in a more remote area with wind, rain, or snow.

4. Don’t Forget the Snacks

Kids with full tummies are less likely to start a mutiny halfway through the trip. So pack plenty of snacks with a wide selection of tastes covered, and don’t forget drinks. Snacks like trail mix, crackers, fruit snacks, and beef jerky are great choices. Less-than-ideal weather conditions can slow a trip, so being prepped for hungry kids is crucial to survival. 

5. Know Places to Stop Along the Way

Planning your route also helps identify places to stop, stretch, and use the bathroom ahead of time. This eliminates the desperate hunt for a bathroom, which can cause distractions on the road. Avoid having a bathroom emergency with no clue where you can go.

Keeping Kids Entertained in the Car

Entertaining kids is hard enough, but it can be even harder on a road trip. You want to keep kids engaged, relaxed, and frustration-free for everyone’s benefit. This means you need various activities for kids to do in the car, preventing the dreaded “Are we there yet?”

Some ideas for a car trip can include:

• Coloring books and crayons
• Scratch-off picture paper
• Books
• Tablets
• Car Bingo and other games
• Favorite toys
• Handheld games

Skip anything with glitter. Also, a car trip is the perfect time to take advantage of technology and download an educational game or app before you head off. Roadside attractions are a family road trip staple. Stops at interesting landmarks on the trip are fun and create opportunities to learn something new. It lets kids stretch, break up monotony, and get a one-of-a-kind experience. The world’s most giant peanut or tumbleweed is also best when the weather isn’t too harsh, so plan stops around the forecast. 

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Letting your kids take photos during the trip is a great way to keep them engaged. Kids love taking pictures. It’s a fact! Let them take photos of whatever they want, inside or outside the car. Snow, rain, a cow grazing in a field, anything is okay! You can put together a photo album with them when you’re home, which is a great way to commemorate the trip.

Pros and Cons of Traveling with Little Ones

One of the best things about a road trip is going at your own pace. You can teach interesting facts, and taking trips will instill a love of travel in your children. By traveling with younger kids, you teach flexibility, making traveling easier for them as they get older. Plus, the different perspectives children get from traveling will eventually help create well-rounded adults. 

Inevitably, there are also some drawbacks of a road trip. Be careful to get enough rest before you drive, as being tired behind the wheel can be especially dangerous. There may also be a concern about bathroom breaks and a lack of food choices for picky eaters. Don’t sweat it, though. When you plan ahead, these concerns will be handled long before you go anywhere.

Capturing the Memories of Your Trip

Family trips create memories that last forever. To make it even more special, you could choose a special souvenir to bring back when you travel, like magnets, coffee mugs, or keychains, and start a collection. You can also do a creative project. Try showcasing your memories with a shadow box, a scrapbook, or by recreating your favorite photo as a painting.

Traveling with your family is a memorable undertaking, regardless of the weather. Make the most joyful memories by preparing and enjoying your trip thoroughly. Take the time to get what you need to travel comfortably and safely, and you can sit back and enjoy some quality family time.