Surviving and Thriving: Tips for a Long Car Journey with Kids

Family adventures are precious, but traveling with children can be full of stress with the logistics and endless entertainment. The constant asking of “Are we there yet?” and tactical snacks to keep them quiet can be draining for the most patient of parents. This guide is designed to help you with essential tips to not just survive, but actually enjoy, your long car journeys with the little ones.

Essential Pre-Travel Preparation

Before the engines roar and the car actually gets loaded, the bulk of your travel success is determined by pre-trip groundwork. Here’s the pre-journey checklist for smooth sailing (or rather, driving).

Create a Comprehensive Packing List

The list is your mantra, your security blanket so spending time writing it will save time in the long run. Here’s a start:

Clothing: Keep in mind weather changes and that kids tend to get dirty, drop food down them or have nappy leaks at the most unexpected times.
Essentials: Nappies, wipes, and bottles, snack boxes and napkins or tissues should be on the essentials list.
Medications: It’s always typical that illnesses hit during travel. Pack pain relief, antihistamines, and any prescribed medications. It is also ideal to have a Family First Aid Kit if you don’t already have one in your car.
Favourite Items: Whether it’s a blanket or a favourite soft toy that does the trick, don’t leave the house without it.

Organise and Prepare the Car

Remember it is safer to have things contained in bags, seat pockets etc rather than loose in the car so think carefully how you can use the space but also how these essentials can be taken out and about with the pram or pushchair.

Utilise the Space: With pram clips and car seat organisers, you can declutter the seating area but still have an easy way to carry your essentials when you are on a day trip. Car Seat Organisers are perfect for allowing space for toys to be safely stored.
Try to keep it clean: If you are likely to be eating in the car consider car seat protectors that are easier to clean than the upholstery of the car.
Think Safety: Secure loose items to avoid projectiles during sudden stops. Whether you do this with items in the boot or strapping them in using the spare seatbelts it is important they can’t fly around, or be thrown by a child mid tantrum.
Prepare the Boot: Keep an emergency kit, spare tyre, torch, and extra water for the car as well as weather dependent items such as a blanket, show shovel etc.
Consider seasonal essentials: Do you need car window shades or perhaps a car seat rain cover for taking a baby into the services? Will you all have wet or muddy shoes in which case consider a car seat kick mat to keep your seats clean. Blankets if the weather may get cold or handheld fans if it is hot could be all the difference between a child sleeping or not!

Tips for a Smooth Journey

Once you make a start, it’s all about managing the itinerary around your kids’ needs.

Time It Right

Planning a large chunk of driving during your kids’ sleep time is a sneaky win. Otherwise, keep to the schedule, ensuring you stop every few hours not just for a breather but to eat well. Stopping near parks is ideal to let kids burn off some of the energy they build up sitting in the car.

Eat Smart: Plan meals or pack healthy snacks. Hungry tummies equal cranky passengers.
Music & Stories: Stock up on their favourite tunes or audiobooks that can be used as much or as little as needed to protect your sanity.
Interactive Maps: Many gadgets such as iPads offers kid-friendly maps and games that can make them feel like part of the navigation team.

Safety First

Your little traveller’s safety should always be priority.

Buckle Up

Ensure car seats are correctly installed and that every child has an appropriate restraint.

Sun Safety: Invest in car sun shades to prevent glare and overheating.
The Buddy System: Teach older kids the importance of staying buckled and unbuckling only when it’s safe to do so.
Visibility: Use mirrors that allow you to monitor kids without turning around. A Baby Car Seat Mirror is an easy option and makes checking on your rear facing baby easy.

Breaks and Pit Stops

Work out the number of breaks you need and the set places you will need to stop for meals or activities.

Plan Your Stops

Research rest areas or service stations that have good play areas or green spaces.

Stretch It Out: A few minutes of yoga stretches for the kids can banish the grumps and make it easier for them to travel a little more before getting cranky again.
Nature Calls: Encourage bathroom breaks, even if they say they don’t need one, you can guarantee they will ask for one when you are between service stations or stuck in a traffic jam.
Surprise Stops: Keep a couple of exciting pit stops as Plan Bs for emergency boredom handling.

Managing Expectations

Expect the unexpected, and you won’t be frazzled when it happens.

Flexibility: The Sat Nav might not have predicted that one hour detour but it is what it is, try to keep calm as if you get stressed the kids will pick up on it and their mood will change too.
Patience: Be the zen parent you never knew you could be – long car rides test even the most saint like parents.
Team Spirit: This is a family trip. Each win, whether it’s the most creative snack or best singalong, is a team effort.

A Positive Attitude

Your mindset shapes the trip – and your children’s. Think positive and think to the end goal whether that be seeing family at your destination or going on that much needed holiday.

Anticipate Fun

Rather than a trial, view the drive as part of the adventure – ‘cause it is!

The Sightseeing Game: The person who spots a cow first wins a round of applause.
Photo Ops: Scenic routes make for some fantastic memories – and photo albums. Older kids can try to take the most interesting photos at each stop.
The Epic Journey: Remind them they’re aspiring explorers, akin to those in their beloved storybooks. Tell the kids it is an adventure and don’t, whatever you do, suggest they might get bored! If you suggest it then you are putting that idea into their head and it will never go away!

In conclusion, travelling with kids requires a mixture of organisation, planning, patience and fun. With these tips, you’re well on your way to making your own set of memorable journeys. Safe travels and good luck!