Road trips are always a family favourite for a number of times of year. Whether it’s Christmas and you’re hitting the road to see family and friends in another town or it’s summertime and you’re looking for that great way to spend the warmer months doing something fun and exciting with the kids. The downside is that road trips aren’t always all fun and games and you can be left pulling your hair out when the kids get grumpy or bored and begin to whine and complain. From making sure your tyres are in good shape with www.tyreplus.co.uk to a must have list for road trips, here are a couple of great tips to keep the kids happy, and you stress free during your upcoming road trips.
Take Appropriate Snacks
Everyone knows that long stretches on the road can be hard on everyone, especially younger kids with tons of pent up energy. Add to that the issue surrounding hunger and you have a recipe for disaster when one of the kids starts going on about how hungry they are. You just know the others will chime in too. Stave off hangry attacks by packing high protein, healthy snacks like peanut butter on celery, cheese and crackers, cut up fruit and vegetables and the like. Cut up fruits and vegetables makes it easy to eat as finger foods meaning you don’t need to do much prep, just whack the food in some ziploc bags or reusable containers and off you go!
Bring Entertainment
Boredom on those long lanes of country road can really take a toll on your children’s attention spans and moods so it’s important to pack enough things for them to do. Consider getting your kids involved in the selection process, letting them pick the specific toys, videos or games they want to bring so they are actively a part of the team in ensuring they stay happy during the trip. Consider getting travel versions of favourite games like Guess Who and Scrabble or Chess. This can help keep kids entertained for hours playing with siblings. You can also think about loading their iPads with a whole variety of games they can enjoy on the road.
Take Frequent Breaks
Taking a lot of breaks to allow for washroom stops and stretching the legs and the like. Taking enough breaks to get everyone out of the car will help keep spirits and moods high and will also help maintain your sanity by getting the kids out of the car to run around for a little while in between legs of the journey. Try taking a break every hundred miles or every two hours or so to ensure you get some stretching and bathroom breaks in. Not only will it make everyone more energised, but it will help keep everyone comfortable and therefore less likely to get grumpy on the road.
So if you’re heading out with the kids this season or any season in the next year, keep it simple and easy and remember lots of breaks, snacks for all and fun and games to make sure everyone gets to your destination happily and in good spirits.
