It’s the story of nightmares. You’re planning a long car journey with your kids. You know what’s going to happen: tantrums, complaints, multiple toilet stops and lots of fights. It’s enough to drive you crazy! But just relax, because we’ve put together some great ideas on how to stay sane on car journeys with your little ones!
Tips on Surviving a Car Journey with Your Kids
You’ve packed enough snacks to feed an army. Everyone has gone to the toilet. All seatbelts are on and you’re off! Oh, hang on. Not quite yet as a toilet visit is needed again, a loved toy has been forgotten and your kids are hungry. It’s no wonder as parents we sometimes put off family road trips!
However, it’s not something we can avoid doing forever. Here are our top tips on staying sane when travelling in a car with your kids:
- Plan for the mess – take a large roll of paper towels or wipes in the car with you. A plastic bag for rubbish and a change of clothes and training pants are also must-haves.
- Consider using a kid’s car seat protector so you catch any drink spills, nappy leaks or toileting accidents. Whipping one of these out from under your wet child (and replacing with a dry one) keeps you in control of what can be a stressful situation. They are so much easier to wash and replace than your car seat.
- Pack lots of snacks – have you ever noticed a large number of cafes and fast food restaurants when you’re driving? Kids certainly do! Make sure you have lots of snacks packed for their hungry tummies. Individual lunchboxes are a good idea, rather than shared ones as these prevent fights.
- Stock up on read-aloud stories – hunt out all those stories on CD and the iPod. Having something to listen to may mean they stop talking for a few minutes!
- Bring your laptop or iPad – load it up with movies and press play. If you put it on the centre console between the front seats, everyone in the back can watch.
- Organise a toy box – pack a box with favourite toys and a few new ones. When your kids are getting grumpy, have them pick something from the box. It may give you a few minutes of peace.
- Get an I Spy Bag – filled with little treasures to find in amongst lots of beads or rice, this is a great activity to do during a car journey with your kids.
- Plan your stops – when travelling on car trips with little kids, plan on stopping around once an hour. Yes, it makes the trip longer, but you’ll remain relatively sane because of it. Stopping at playgrounds, swimming pools and even libraries lets them stretch their legs and give your kids some much needed fresh air.
We’re not going to lie. Travelling with kids by car is mighty challenging. But with some planning and a fair bit of luck, it can be done successfully!
Survive the Drive with a Waterproof Car Seat Protector
Be ready for any accidents on-the-go. Our Brolly Sheet Kids car seat protector is perfect for long (or even short) drives around the country. With a range of colours available, check out our waterproof car seat protector.