How to Survive a Long Car Trip With Your Kids

Vacations are suppose to be relaxing. Unfortunately the car ride with the children can be anything but. There are several things that you can do to survive a long car trip with your kids and make the beginning and end of your vacation just as fun as the destination.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• games
• snacks
• patience
• portable DVD player

1. The key to surviving the long car trip is to plan in advance. Ask your kids what their favorite games and snacks are and start packing those items a few days before you leave on your trip.

2. Map out your route to your final destination. Try to preplan rest stops and food breaks at interesting places for your children.

3. The night before you leave, have your children each pack a bag with a few of their favorite toys, CDs, books, and DVDs.

4. When the trip starts, let the children play with their favorite toys and listen to their favorite music.

5. If they tire of their their toys, move onto the games. If it is possible, play some of the games with them.

6. If you have a DVD player, you can use it as a last resort. Vacations are a great time for families to reconnect, not zone out

Tips & Warnings

• for younger children, a notepad with special markers that can only be used on that notepad are a fun way to keep the children entertained and they will not be able to get marker on your car seats.
• some children get car sick if they try to read in the car. Keep a trash bag handy for accidents.

[pshquilts]

on 7/1/2009 Good tips. DD always got a new book of travel games for long trips.