When it comes to traveling with kids of all ages, your ability to keep them quiet, occupied and happy can make or break your road trip. And although some of the technology has changed over the years, the basic idea is the same: you need to have the right tools and be able to easily access them during the drive (and that goes beyond just turning on the TV). Here is some advice and a few invaluable tips on everything “kid-friendly” for your car or RV vacation including valuable items to pack, quick remedies for motion sickness and more.
Article By Joe Laing
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is always a good idea whether you are traveling with kids or not. However, with children along, if you wait too late at night to find that perfect camping spot or a hotel or motel, your young one may be having a meltdown in the backseat. Better to know approximately where you are going to be in the evening and book a camping site or room ahead of time.
If your young child gets car sick, you can plan ahead to possibly prevent it from occurring. Besides bringing along your standard car-sick medication, you should devise games that keep his or her attention outside the vehicle (see below). The meals your child eats just before hopping in the car or in the motorhome should not be spicy or greasy. Bland food is best such as some crackers and a light drink. Work out how to keep proper air ventilation within the vehicle as well.
No Time Pressure
Allow enough time to make necessary stops and permit your little one to explore when you make a stop. When passing through a town, you can perhaps take in a museum or have a picnic in a local park. Your child can run around and burn off some of that excess energy. This can make the trip much more rewarding for you and your kids.
Cleaning Up in the Car or RV
No matter the ages of those aboard, you will need an easy way to clean up. Kids are great at having the messiest hands after a meal and you’ll want to prevent any germs from spreading as much as possible. Wet wipes are good for all sorts of messes, and baby wipes are a requirement when you have an infant. An antiseptic wipe is the best of all or at least some hand sanitizer when you can’t get to a sink. Also pack the tissues and paper towels.
Plenty of Delicious Snacks
Bring along plenty of healthy snacks, avoiding the sugar stuff. Sugar tends to make little ones (anyone really) get a bit hyper. Healthy snacks for traveling include cheeses, fruit, bagels, and breadsticks. Water is best for drinking as you travel. You can place these items in a cooler to keep the temperature right, or in your RVs refrigerator. A good idea is placing the makings of sandwiches in the cooler and stopping for a picnic during the day. Don’t forget the paper plates, plastic utensils and can opener.
Lots to Do for Those of Any Age
Now for the activities. There are hundreds of ideas you can find online if you care to do a little searching. However, some favorites are coloring books, small puzzles, sticker games and familiar games from home. Finding some new games that your child has never played before always holds the attention for a good length of time. If your little one likes to read, try some new books for his or her age group. Store the toys with small parts in a plastic bag or storage container. Pipe cleaners are a fun way to keep a kid busy at creative activity. If your child needs a little desk to work at, a metal cookie sheet works great.
Technical Advances Help on Long Road Trips
Of course, this is the electronic age, and there are many ways to keep a young one quiet and wrapped up in fun activities. You can allow them to play with games or apps on your phone or tablet, but you may want to put it in a sturdy case for the trip. If you can’t bring yourself to turn over your gadgets to your kids, a simple and inexpensive tape or CD player may be just the thing so they can listen to some books on tape or music. You can find audio books just right for kids in your local library. You will also find free audio stories for kids at Storynory.
This trip will be one of the best yet, once you plan ahead, give interesting and fun things for your child to do while you travel. Everyone will have fun, and this is what traveling with kids is all about.
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About the Author: Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV, your nationwide source for RV rentals. El Monte RV also sells used motorhomes through eight different locations across the United States.
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