How to prepare for a road trip with children?

Is it worth taking a child on a trip?

Comfortable, roomy, and economical describe modern automobiles.

Traveling with kids won’t be an issue for you if you own a vehicle like that.

You shouldn’t decline a road trip with a child because your automobile is less comfy or you don’t have one.

There are several automobile rental agencies worldwide, and you can select a car based on your preferences.

You can rent a family car in Milan, rent SUVs in New York or rent supercars Dubai.

And now renting a car is very profitable and you will not spend a lot of money going on a road trip with your family on a rental car.

There are certain nuances for which you must emotionally and physically get ready, make modifications for the style of traveling with kids, and modify the route appropriately.

In the early stages, it’s crucial to try to drive the youngster modest distances. Observe his actions to see if any issues develop.

image of baby boy strapped in a car seat - How to prepare for a road trip with children

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Advice on taking a child on a trip

We have assembled this useful list of steps when taking children on a road trip.

 Create a route with stops

If adults can spend the whole day on the road, then it is difficult for children to sit in a car for more than five to six hours.

Therefore, if you go with the whole family, then with frequent breaks for rest and a change in activities.

If possible, include more places where children can relax and have fun in your trip: zoos, water parks or local theaters.

If there are no such people on the route, then just plan a couple of hours of scooter rides. It is important that the holiday is organized for the whole family, and not just for parents.

Prepare your car for the Road Trip

To make it comfortable to travel with a small child, you need to “modernize” the car a little. For this you will need:

  • make sure you have table in the car so your child has something to play or eat on;
  • car seat with two positions: sitting and reclining (if the child is from six months to seven years old);
  • organizer for children’s toys;
  • pillows for babies;
  • curtains on suction cups to protect the child from the sun;
  • simple tools to fix minor car issues, like an air pump.

But the main thing when traveling by car with a child is a calm driver. And while one steers, the second should act as an animator for children.

Bring Activity Games to Entertain Your Children

Often road trips last for hours to several days, and everyone will be better off if the child is not getting bored , but doing something useful.

So plan to bring these games to help pass time:

  • themed stories;
  • new toys;
  • word games;
  • tablet with games or cartoons.

Life hack: if a child knows what awaits him ahead, and he is interested, then he will easily endure any road. Therefore, it is necessary to interest children even before the trip – with books, films or visiting museums about the places that we plan to see.

boy looking our the window of a car - How to prepare for a road trip with children

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Assemble or Buy a First Aid Kit

When traveling with children, you need to foresee any trouble and take into account how long it can take to get to the nearest pharmacy or emergency room. Check out this Government of Canada recommended Travel Health Kit.

The universal kit includes the following medicines:

  • Antiseptic cream to help scratches heal and not get infected;
  • Benadryl in case your child is bitten by bugs or gets some poison ivy during a stop a stop along the way;
  • Antihistamines (even if the child does not suffer from allergies, unexpected reactions may occur from high pollen count);
  • Bandages in various sizes (regular and elastic), plasters, wet and paper napkins, cotton pads.
  • If you are traveling with a baby, take more hygiene products with you – diapers, powders and disposable diapers.

Bring a Cooler with Sandwiches and Snacks and change of clothes

Take fruit with you – bananas, apples, seedless grapes, cookies and bread. From drinks we choose homemade sandwiches and water.

All this can be stored for a couple of hours even without a cooler bag. 

In case the children get dirty on the way, a full set of changeable clothes should be in the cabin.

Take comfortable clothes for the road – a T-shirt, T-shirt, shorts, socks and a warm blouse – they will come in handy when the journey drags on until the evening.

And most importantly, remember that most often it is difficult for parents to travel with children, and not for children.

If you are confident in yourself, then feel free to go on a road trip with a child!

 

 

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