How to Travel with Small Children in the Car

Traveling with small children can prove to be a challenge unless you are well prepared. This article will outline a few basic steps to take in order to ensure a fun and safe trip!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soft Cooler
• Window Clings
• Pencils
• Notebooks
• Snacks
• Drinks
• Portable DVD player (if possible)
• DVD's
• Headphones
• Portable CD Player
• Tote Bag(1 per child)

1. Prepare your children for the ride. Talk to them about where you are going and get them excited for the trip. Getting a book at the library about where you are going can help foster excitement! An excited child will be more apt to have a positive outlook on the trip.

2. Plan your trip accordingly. Sometimes it is best to leave in the middle of the night when the children are most likely going to be sleeping. You know your child best, so plan according to their schedule and personality.

3. Pack a soft cooler with healthy snacks and beverages. I recommend water bottles and/or juice boxes. Snacks such as granola bars, carrot sticks and graham crackers make good travel snacks. A hungry or thirsty child is sure to become crabby!

4. Pack a tote bag for each child with some special activities. Notebooks and pencils (make sure to have extra) are great as the child can keep a journal. Even if the child is too young to write, they can draw pictures about what they see.

5. Window clings are a good car activity. Save them for the trip only so they are brand new to the child. They can stick them on the windows of the car and create their own scenery or make-believe world.

6. If you have a portable DVD player, they have huge entertainment value. Kids can be kept occupied for hours with one. Make sure to pack the car charger for it as well as extra DVD's. Headphones are also a good idea so the noise does not disturb the driver.

7. A portable CD player, like a DVD player, can offer great entertainment. Be sure to have spare batteries and lots of CD's. Headphones are a must-have for this item as well.

8. Pillows and blankets are great if the trip is longer than a couple hours. The child can make his or her own "spot" and get comfortable. This helps the child relax and possibly even nap.

Tips & Warnings

• Get the child involved in the planning and preparation!
• Take a few plastic bags for trash as you go.
• Make sure you pack things for yourself too- a crabby adult can lead to a crabby child!
• Plan to stop for restroom breaks and take short walks around to stretch the legs and get fresh air.
• Even though the trip may be lengthy, it is important to make sure the seat belts stay buckled.

[FUSILLI1OF4]

on 7/27/2008 Great article with lots of good tips 5*

[3-Point]

on 7/26/2008 Wonderful article. Thanks for the advice.

[vikki9]

on 7/26/2008 Great suggestions. Thank you.

[mattlee]

on 7/25/2008 excellent

[klnygaard]

on 7/22/2008 Thank you