road_trip_tips__keeping_the_kids_happy

							Road Trip Tips: Keeping the Kids Happy




Road trips are a great way for families to travel and see the sights. You can visit many places at once, see
relatives or just enjoy a leisurely vacation without the stresses of plane travel. However, road trips can
turn into a nightmare if you are traveling with hot, bored and uncomfortable children. Their complaints are
usually justified, but annoying nonetheless. Here, you will find some great ways to avert the disastrous road
trip in favor of a smooth ride!




Plan early. If possible, talk to the kids about where you will be going and when you will leave. Let them know
upfront how long you will be on the road, and what will be expected of them. Ask them for ideas about getting
along and enjoying the ride while being in close, cramped quarters. Make a list, so that if problems arise,
they can be part of the solution. It can be fun to help them make a map with things to look for on the trip,
such as rivers, parks or state line signs. Make a game out of it and see who can find everything first.




If you have the means, or can borrow from friends, bring along a portable DVD player with headphones for each
child and include several movies from home. This can mean up to 2 hours of peace on the road; enjoyable for
both parents and children! It's best not to rent movies, unless you plan on paying for several days rental
fees.




In the mind and tummy of a child, snacks and drinks mean happiness, if only for a short while! You can keep
hungry little ones filled up without stopping for food by using a little creativity. If you have a cooler,
fill it up with box or pouch drinks and bottled water for cool treats in a stuffy car. String cheese,
Lunchables and baggies packed with healthy fruits and vegetables make for good snacks and can be zipped up for
later use. Your imagination is the limit as to what you can think to bring. Let the kids pick out some things
to keep it interesting.




Many a family has survived the highway by playing road games. You can buy games at any department store, but
why not save some vacation money and think of your own? Old standards, such as 20 questions and license plate
poker are a couple of fun ones. Do an online search for some interesting ideas.




Kids and grown-ups alike need to get out of the car periodically to stretch their legs and use bathroom
facilities. It is even important for blood circulation to walk around now and then and to avoid restless legs
and the risk of blood clots. Let the kids look for rest stop signs, and plan plenty of time to take a walk or
have lunch at a picnic table, a usual staple at rest stops. These activities can rejuvenate everyone, making
getting back in the car seem less like drudgery!




Plan early for the "are we there yet?" scenario. It seems that kids want to know every five minutes when they
will be at the destination spot. And if parents will admit it, they are usually itching to get there too! So,
make regular times that mom or dad will give travel updates and stick to them. Use highway markers, a map or
even a GPS to estimate destination times. You can even offer a special snack or reward if they can wait until
the designated update time!




You can keep boredom at bay by engaging your children in interesting conversation and keeping them pumped
about where you are going and what you will be doing. Use this time for quality communication, a welcome time
away from life's daily grind, when families seldom get to enjoy each other's company.




It is important to have a plan in place, in case problems or fighting erupts. Try to find a safe spot to pull
over and diffuse the situation. This is a good time to bring out the list and find ways to get the trip back
on a positive note. Remind the children that the more time you have to spend solving problems, the longer the
time in the car will be.




Finally, here are a few things you can do to make your kids happier while you are traveling. Before the trip
begins, go shopping by yourself and pick up some inexpensive boxes of crayons or markers. Add a couple of
coloring books or plain paper notebooks and put them in bags with each child's name on them. You can add a
favorite stuffed animal or comfort item from home, along with anything else you can think of. Bring these out
when boredom really kicks in! And, don't forget a first aid kit for minor boo boos, and wipes or towels for
quick clean-ups in case kids get car-sick!




As you can see, road trips with kids do not need to cause you nightmares! With a little planning, creativity
and a lot of understanding, you will be able to reach your destination with less stress and a whole lot of
fun!