6 Tips For Taking A Road Trip with Your Child
Road trips remain one of the most popular methods of transportation for family vacations. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of people prefer to skip the long lines at the airport in favor of hopping in their cars for a summer getaway.
While long drives are a fantastic bonding experience, they have their own share of challenges. Being cooped up inside a car with the same people can cause your child to become restless and bored. So how do you remedy this and what can you do to ensure your road trip goes off without a hitch?
1. Prep Electronic Devices
Having the right apps and games downloaded to your smartphone is incredibly important. You can accomplish nearly anything with your mobile device in this technological era, including building your itinerary, booking hotels, finding local stores, and customizing your road trip entertainment. Downloading some fun children’s games for your kids to play is also a good way to keep your child occupied during the long hours.
2. Play Classic Car Games
Car games have been played by families all around the world long before the invention of modern cell phones and tablets. Games like “I Spy,” a guessing game, and the “Alphabet Game,” where the players try to find an item that begins with each letter of the alphabet, are great options to try out on the road. Plus, you can play these without any cell service!
For trips across the country, the “State License Plate Game” is a fun way to help pass the time. This is where you take a list of the 50 states in the US and have your kids scout cars you pass by to try to find a plate from every state.
3. Take the Proper Safety Precautions
Here are a few safety tips to ensure the optimal road trip:
- Get a good night’s rest.
- Get your car checked out by a mechanic before leaving town.
- Pack your car’s first aid gear (flares, jumper cables, a flashlight).
- Pack your normal first aid gear (band-aids, water, etc.).
- Break up the trip so you don’t tire yourself out.
- Be wary of unsafe drivers on the road.
Unfortunately, you can’t prepare yourself for every safety hazard there is. In the case of an accident, make sure you hire a reputable team to represent your personal injury protection claim.
4. Bring Kid-Friendly Travel Toys
Backseat boredom can be tough to shake for your young ones, especially when you want a way to avoid excessive noise and messy games. Luckily, there are always new products created every year designed just for this purpose.
From travel bingo and mad libs to portable art stations with crayons, there are a lot of helpful travel toys that will keep their boredom at bay. Investing in some of those seatback pouches during your stay at St Barts Villas to store toys and snacks is a helpful tactic.
5. Avoid Car Sickness
Some children are prone to car sickness, but fortunately, there are some things you can do to help avoid this type of motion sickness. For starters, don’t have spicy foods before or during a road trip, as this could irritate a stomach further. Keep some peppermints on hand as these can help settle a stomach. If all else fails, there are some medicinal products that are specifically for this purpose.
6. Don’t Rely on Fast Food
Fast food restaurants are cheap, quick, and conveniently everywhere, so it is easy to get sucked into this eating pattern. However, packing low-sugar beverages and healthy snacks can be just as good on your wallet while being easier on your stomach.