Making Memories
Going on a Long road trip with kids? Here are 5 Must Have Items for the Drive. We recently drove from Utah to Kansas for a family reunion. This is 16 hours one way. We have 4 little kids, so we had to be prepared for the long time that we would be in the car. A long road trip with kids can be both exciting and daunting. As you prepare to hit the road, it's essential to pack wisely to ensure a smooth journey for everyone involved. From snacks to entertainment, here are five must-have items to pack for a successful adventure with your little ones:
Healthy Snacks:
Keeping hungry tummies satisfied is key to preventing meltdowns on the road. Pack a variety of healthy snacks that are easy to eat and won't create a mess in the car. Think along the lines of pre-cut fruits, granola bars, and trail mix. Having a cooler filled with refreshing drinks and perishable snacks like cut-up veggies can also come in handy. Some of our go to snacks are almonds and candy corn, (two almonds to a candy corn is the most amazing mixture) pretzels and chocolate chips, we did some fruit loops with strings ready to make a fruit loops necklace, *snack and entertainment. Clementines, dried bananas, crackers and fruit snacks. The variety helped a lot as well.
Entertainment Options:
Long stretches of driving can quickly lead to boredom, especially for children. Bring along a mix of entertainment options to keep them engaged throughout the journey. This could include movies or tablets loaded with their favorite movies or TV shows, as well as books, coloring books, crayons, white boards with dry erase markers. Don't forget to pack headphones to minimize noise and distractions for the driver.
We brought flash cards, reading homework, first reader books and lots of other individualized educational items. (this was the perfect time to sit down with each kid and help them with their reading, their times tables, colors, you name it.
We learned that our library allows you to check out one learning tablet per card, so we got two different age group tablets with loads of educational games. (the kids loved this)
My husband rigged up the DVD player in our van and got it hooked up to one of our laptops that we downloaded some movies on for the kids, this gave us more options and variety.
we also brought music that the kids could listen to during the quite times if someone else was resting, and then some music that we all like singing too.
Travel Games and Activities: Encourage family bonding and stave off boredom with travel-friendly games and activities. Consider classics like "I Spy" or "20 Questions," as well as card games, travel-sized board games, or magnetic puzzles. If your route includes scenic stops or rest areas, bring along outdoor games like Frisbee or soccer balls for some active playtime. we learned that between Utah and Kansas there is NOTHING! we stopped at one park on the way there and that was it (and it was raining) 🤪
Comfort Essentials: Long hours spent in the car can take a toll on everyone's comfort levels. Pack comfort essentials to ensure a more pleasant ride for the whole family. This might include travel pillows and blankets for napping, a change of clothes in case of spills or accidents, and cozy socks or slippers for added comfort during rest stops. We let each kid bring their blanket and one squishmarshmallow pillow to snuggle with. (these also came in handy at the hotels)
Safety and First Aid Supplies: Safety should always be a top priority when traveling with children. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with the appropriate car seats and seat belts for each child's age and size. Additionally, pack a first aid kit stocked with essentials like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any necessary medications. It's also a good idea to have a roadside emergency kit on hand in case of unexpected vehicle issues. As my mom would always say ( as she packed an entire suitcase full of medication, band aids and anything you could possibly need.... essentially our whole medicine close) "If you don't bring it you will need it"
By packing these essential items, you'll be well-equipped to handle whatever challenges may arise during your family road trip. With snacks to keep hunger at bay, entertainment to ward off boredom, and comfort essentials for a smooth ride, you'll be setting yourselves up for a memorable and enjoyable adventure on the open road. We made it all the way to Kansas and back with 4 happy and healthy kiddos, I hope you and your family can make some adventures this year, Happy travels!
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