How to Prepare for an Enjoyable Road Trip

Road trips can be a fun and enjoyable experience if you are properly prepared. Planning ahead of time will make the long trip all the more worthwhile.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An Atlas
• Good music, all genre
• Clean snacks: pretzels, crackers, grapes, apples, etc.
• Healthy drinks
• Paper and pencils
• Word puzzles
• Mad-libs
• A portable DVD player and DVDs
• Travel pillow and throw blanket

1. Depending on the number of children travelling and their ages, plus the size of the car, it's best to create a 'spot' for each person during the trip. They will be able to keep their activities better organized that way plus it can be predetermined who sits next to who. Even siblings who get along may get on each other's nerves after hours and hours in a car, so be prepared.

2. Each child gets to have a travel pillow and blanket. They will need a way to get comfortable enough to close their eyes at some point. If you have room, allow each child to pack a travel bag. A travel bag should include activities they can do on their own or something can easily be passed back forth in the car, like activity books or small electronic games. Gameboys are invaluable for long car trips! Make sure they are charged before you leave the house. Just beware that if played for too long in a moving vehicle, some children may experience head aches or nausea, so limit the time they can play and insist they take breaks. Sick children on road trips are not fun.

3. A good collection of music will keep everyone entertained. I typically allow my children to take turns playing CD's of their choice, alternating with my CD's so we all get to hear our music during the trip. It allows parents to get familiar with their children's choice of music and promotes conversation. Chances are they won't like your music and you won't like their music...agree to disagree and everyone will be fine! Ipods and portable CD players work well for the car, but that allows them to be isolated from the group. I prefer to hold off on Ipods and CD players until they get tired and want to listen to music while they close their eyes.

4. Keep children intuned with the trip. Allow older children to track the route on an Atlas so they can see how far they've gone and how far they need to go. Play games like 'the License Plate game': Make a list of the license plates they see from different states. See who can find the most of a certain state, or who can find one from a state furthest away. Allow children to vote on where to go for stops, if possible. I like to make suggestions and have them choose among my suggestions.

5. Insist that every passenger relieve themself EVERY time you stop. Rest areas are great for quick pit stops. Even if they say they don't have to go, insist they try, even if it's stopping for gas or getting back in the car after eating. It only takes a minute while you're already stopped!

6. Limit food in the car. A small stash of snacks, like pretzels, crackers, grapes or apples, are good to tide over hunger until a meal break. Avoid anything too sugary, too salty or too messy.

7. Water is a good fried to anyone travelling: both drivers and passengers. Stay alert and hydrated! Avoid sugary drinks because the sugar will give you that instant energy boost and then bring you down, leaving you tired. If needed, sip a cup of coffee over a period of time rather than drinking it all at once. Children should only be allowed water in car to avoid any messes. All water has to do is dry!

8. DVD players are a great thing in the car but should be limited. I prefer to limit it to create quiet time, when the children need to get comfortable and hopefully close their eyes. Nightime viewing is best anyway!

[Tauri]

on 11/24/2008 I do the long trips to Maine...and water is the best beverage..in the car. It makes meals seems more enjoyable and a true treat! We always enjoyed a flashlight to look for shoes during out nighttime stops! Thanks