Choosing to go away on a family road trip can be a big step.
Not only will it take a lot of planning but it might also be a lot of stress for you and your family if not handled correctly. However, with the right choices, your first family road trip will be the fun and memorable experience it should be.
Here are some of our top tips to help you get things under control!
All in the Car
The vehicle will be one of the most important choices you make for this road trip. It needs to be comfortable and roomy enough for everyone to enjoy. Choosing the right car is going to be incredibly important. You want to make sure you have a reliable car that’s not going to break down or stop working.
One of the first choices you need to make is a suitably roomy vehicle. It needs to comfortably fit you, your partner, and your children. There also needs to be room for all of your luggage and maybe even some space for a furry four-legged friend. On top of this, you need to think about whether or not your children will need to be separated due to a fight or some other issue. All of this is going to add up to space needed in the car.
Snacks and Drinks
Hungry children are cranky children. Nothing can be more piercing than an unhappy child’s voice from the backseat; especially in the final leg of a road trop. Make sure you have a selection of healthy snacks that are sure to keep hunger at bay. Fresh fruit can be messy and sticky so dried fruit and other types of trail mix are best.
It is important to keep your children well-hydrated but make sure you are keeping an eye on when they are drinking and how much they drink. If you have a long drive ahead of you, frequent toilet breaks are just going to make everything go slower.
Activities
Having a few activities on hand can help to quell boredom on a long drive. An iPad loaded with games and child-friendly apps might seem like a good idea until the battery runs out and someone still hasn’t had their turn.
From simple games like I-Spy to even a family singalong if you are particularly musical, there are lots of things you can do to keep your children entertained. If you are going to let them plug in to something electronic, make sure you have a charged powerbank for when the batteries start to run-down.
The first family road trip can be looked upon with some trepidation. However, the right planning can ensure that this event passes without issue. Take the time to plan your first family road trip fully. Before you know it, you could all be headed off on your first exciting adventure together. Whether you are going to visit family or you are heading off for a brand-new adventure on vacation, there is any number of places you can visit together when you decide to road trip there.
