Tiny Travelers: A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Kids Happy on the Road
Thursday 7th March 2024
Embarking on a road trip adventure across the USA with your tiny travelers in tow can be an exciting yet daunting prospect for any parent. The open road offers endless possibilities for exploration and bonding, but keeping kids entertained and content during long drives requires a bit of creativity and planning. In our latest blog, we delve into tried-and-true strategies for making your next family road trip not just bearable, but memorable and fun for everyone involved. From engaging activities to essential tips on comfort and safety, we’ve got you covered, ensuring your journey through the scenic routes of America becomes a cherished adventure for your little ones.
- Plan, plan and more planning!
- Packing Essentials
- Entertainment
- Travel Tech
- Frequent Breaks
- Interactive Games and Activities
- Snack Tips
- Safety Measures
Plan Ahead
Begin by involving your children in the planning process; let them pick a few destinations or activities they’re excited about. This not only makes them feel valued but also builds their anticipation for the trip ahead. Next, lay out a realistic travel itinerary about where you’re going and what you’ll see, transforming the planning stage into a thrilling countdown to departure. It’s about striking a balance between destinations that spark their curiosity and stops that allow for little legs to stretch. Think about weaving in their interests—dinosaurs, space, or the wild outdoors—into your route to keep enthusiasm high. Don’t forget to prepare a detailed checklist that covers everything from snacks to sunblock, ensuring nothing vital gets left behind. This initial stage isn’t just about logistics; it’s about building a foundation of excitement and teamwork that will carry you through the miles ahead.
What to Pack
- Snacks and Water: Pack a variety of healthy, mess-free snacks and reusable water bottles to keep hydration and hunger in check.
- First-Aid Kit: Include band-aids, antiseptic wipes, children’s pain reliever, and any prescription medications.
- Change of Clothes: Bring extra outfits for unexpected spills or changes in weather, including layers for cooler temperatures.
- Comfort Items: Don’t forget their favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or any item that helps soothe them.
- Entertainment: A mix of books, toys, and games that are travel-friendly to keep them occupied during the journey.
- Electronic Devices and Chargers: For longer trips, tablets loaded with educational apps and movies can be a lifesaver. Remember the chargers!
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to protect them from UV rays during outdoor adventures.
- Sanitation Supplies: Hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and a portable changing mat for quick clean-ups on the go.
- Travel-Sized Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and any other daily essentials in travel-sized containers.
- Safety Items: Reflective vests or bracelets for visibility, especially if your trip involves outdoor activities.
- Car Seats and Boosters: Ensure they are properly fitted and suited to your child’s age, weight, and height.
- Stroller or Carrier: Depending on your child’s age and the nature of your trip, a lightweight stroller or a carrier can be indispensable.
Engaging Entertainment
Crafting personalized entertainment kits for each child is a delightful way to keep boredom at bay during long road trips. Start with a durable bag or backpack for each child, and fill it with a curated selection of their favorite items—think colorful storybooks that ignite their imagination, puzzle books, and travel-sized board games that challenge their minds. Add a mix of toys, perhaps a beloved action figure or a new set of crayons with a sketchpad for artistic endeavors. For a tech-savvy touch, include headphones and pre-loaded tablets with educational apps, audiobooks, and movies. Don’t forget to rotate items for variety and surprise them with a new toy or book midway through the journey. These individualized kits not only cater to each child’s interests and developmental stages but also encourage independence, allowing them to choose what they play with and when.
Travel Tech
No doubt you already have a good collection of age-appropriate apps on your phone or kid’s device that they love but in case you need some inspiration here are our fave picks:
- For Toddlers: “Peekaboo Barn,” “PBS KIDS Games,” and “Toddler Puzzle Games” are great for this age group, focusing on basic learning concepts and interactivity.
- For Preschoolers: “Endless Alphabet,” “Duck Duck Moose Reading,” and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” offer interactive storytelling and foundational academic skills.
- For Early Elementary: “Epic! – Kids’ Books and Videos,” “MathTango,” and “ScratchJr” encourage reading and introduce basic coding and math skills.
- For Tweens: “Duolingo” for language learning, “Tynker” for more advanced coding, and “SkyView” for exploring the night sky.
Remember, the goal of using these apps and gadgets is to enhance your child’s learning and engagement in a fun and interactive way, especially during longer travels. However, it’s also important to encourage breaks, offline activities, and interaction with the surrounding environment to ensure a balanced and enriching travel experience.
Frequent Breaks
Plan to stop every 1-2 hours to let everyone stretch their legs, use the restroom, and burn off some pent-up energy. These breaks are the perfect opportunity to explore interesting landmarks, picnic areas, or simply run around in a rest stop’s grassy area. For children, regular stops can transform a long journey into an adventure dotted with mini-explorations, significantly reducing restlessness and boredom. Additionally, use this time to snack and hydrate, keeping energy levels balanced. Mapping out your stops ahead of time can add structure to your journey and give everyone something to look forward to. Remember, the goal of these breaks is to make the trip more enjoyable for everyone, turning necessary pauses into memorable parts of your adventure.
Car Games
Everyone enjoys a good car game which can turn travel time into an opportunity for family bonding and fun. Here are some of our best suggestions that encourage interaction and create lasting memories:
- License Plate Game: Spot license plates from different states and see who can find the most. You can even learn about the states as you find them.
- I Spy: A classic game where one person picks an object within sight and gives a clue, starting with “I spy with my little eye something that…” and others guess what it is.
- 20 Questions: One person thinks of an object, animal, or person, and the others have up to 20 questions to guess what it is, to which the answerer can only respond with yes or no.
- Storytelling Round-Robin: Start a story with one sentence, and each person in the car adds a sentence to build an imaginative and often humorous tale.
- Alphabet Game: Find words outside the car that start with each letter of the alphabet, in order. You can use road signs, license plates, or anything outside the window.
- Car Bingo: Create or print bingo cards with items you might see on your trip (like a red car, a cow, a billboard). First to get five in a row wins.
- Would You Rather: Pose scenarios with two options and have each person explain their choice. For example, “Would you rather fly like a bird or swim like a fish?”
- Name That Tune: Hum or play the first few seconds of a song, and see who can name the tune first. This can be played with a playlist or the radio.
- The Memory Game: Start with “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing…” and each person adds an item in alphabetical order, while also reciting the previous items listed.
- Scavenger Hunt: Prepare a list of items to spot on your journey. This can range from specific car models to natural phenomena like a rainbow.
These games not only help pass the time but also encourage everyone to interact, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company, strengthening family bonds along the way.
Snack Tips
Opt for a mix of healthy, mess-free snacks that offer both nutrition and satisfaction. Think cut vegetables like carrots and bell peppers, which are both crunchy and hydrating, paired with hummus or peanut butter for added protein. Fresh or dried fruits, nuts, and whole-grain crackers are excellent for a quick energy boost. Cheese sticks and yogurt tubes provide calcium and are generally well-liked by kids. For a sweet treat without the sugar crash, granola bars or homemade energy bites made with oats, nuts, and honey are perfect. Don’t forget to pack plenty of water to stay hydrated and consider reusable bottles to minimize waste. Pre-portioning snacks into individual containers or zip-lock bags can help manage portion sizes and keep the car tidy.
Safety Measures
First and foremost, ensure that all children are seated in appropriate car seats or booster seats that are properly installed and suited to their age, weight, and height. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the vehicle’s safety features and how to adjust seat belts for the smallest passengers. Educate your children on basic road safety rules, like the importance of staying buckled up and not distracting the driver. Also, never leave children unattended in a car, as temperatures can soar dangerously high within minutes. When stopping for breaks, choose well-lit, safe areas and keep a close watch on your kids, especially in crowded places. By prioritizing these safety measures, you can create a secure environment for your family, allowing everyone to enjoy the trip with peace of mind.
It also helps to know our car rental roadside assistance services and how to access them if needed. Whether it’s an accident involving a third party or you have simply broken down at the roadside – contacting us immediately is always priority.
