Road Trip Tips
Summer is here and the time is right for those day trips and weekend staycations that will make up this season’s memorable moments for the family album. So, before you pile the kids into the car and pull out of the driveway, plan ahead to preempt the monotonous drone of “are we there yet?” with fun that will turn the getting there into an adventure in it’s own right. Here are ten tips for making that road trip not just bearable but actually enjoyable.
LITTLE NAVIGATORS- Make the kids feel like they are an integral part of the journey as junior navigators plotting your path and your progress to your destination. With just a little effort, you can create a simplified map that they can use to follow your journey (coloring book style with crayons marking the journey) while getting a little extra practice reading words and numbers. Cut and paste pictures of a few very recognizable landmarks that the kids can identify on the way.
FAMILY GAMES- It’s all fun and games until… well, there shouldn’t be an ‘until’ on vacation so have fun the whole way. Take your pick from ?I Spy?, ?20 Questions?, ?License Plate Game? and all the other free favorites that only require your imagination. And when it’s time for the kids to play alone, have a few games ready for the backseat by bringing along magnetic versions of board games like checkers and chess. The magnetic pieces will not only stay in place for keeping score, they also won’t get lost even on bumpiest rides.
PLAYLIST FAVORITES- In the big book of perfect matches, two things that come up for music are driving and kids. Dancing and sing-alongs with toddlers are about as much fun as parents can gets and next to the steering wheel, it sometimes seems like the radio is the most important part of the car so it is only natural that music is going to play a big role during the family road trip. Put on your DJ thinking cap, pick out the songs that make up your family’s soundtrack, then build that playlist or burn that CD that will keep the car singing.
PERSONAL TIME- At a some point, the family games may run their course, and everyone might be looking for a little private time for themselves. Let the kids sink back into their seats, with their headphones on, to enjoy their iPods, PSP?s and portable DVD players. An extra pair of headphones stashed away in the glove compartment wouldn’t hurt either in case you need to replace a lost or broken set en route.
THE SNACK WAGON- Turn the family car into a rolling snack wagon by stocking plenty of bottled water, juice boxes and chips for the trip. Not only will it help satisfy everyone?s thirst and hunger along the way, it will also keep you from wasting money at overpriced rest stop convenience stores.
SIDE TRIPS- Between your driveway and your vacation destination, there are almost certainly a number of unique or interesting attractions along the way. Break up the long ride by taking advantage of these bonus mini-trips for an hour or two. Plan out a stop near the mid-point of the journey or, since the trip should be all about fun, be spontaneous and let the billboards and road signs be your tour guide.
EARLIER AND LATER THE BETTER- Well, maybe not better for the driver but a good cup of coffee can take care of that. Starting the trip earlier or later when the kids are tired can make it easier on them if they are able to sleep through a good portion of the ride. Waking up with one or two hours of travelling already out of the way, or falling asleep with that time still to go, will make it seem like that much shorter of a journey for them.
BREAK TIME- The bottom line is that a five minute break out of the car can buy everyone another hour or more back in their seats before restlessness sets back in. Don’t put a slavish obsession with making good time ahead of taking a much needed . Whether it’s a bathroom stop or just to stretch the legs, pulling over for a few minuts is an easy morale booster.
DIRECTIONS- Nothing can raise tension in the car as quickly as getting lost so know where you are going. Nobody likes to be lost, especially kids, so have great directions. And if you can afford it, a GPS is a tireless co-pilot who will recalculate directions no matter how many wrong turns that you make. Without a doubt, a GPS is the best investment that you can make for a road trip.
TUNE IN AND TUNE UP- Make sure that your car is in tip top shape before hitting the road. of course, the last thing anybody wants is a breakdown far from home with the kids in the car. Leading up to your trip, tune in to how well your car is running and take note of any irregularities. And if you haven’t had a recent maintenance check, bring it in to your service station for a tune up.
Most of all, enjoy your trip.
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