As we head to the end of the year, many of us head on family road trips as well. Itâs the holiday season after all, and while there are plenty of families taking planes, there are also plenty of us traveling in cars. Holiday road trips, especially long ones, tend to be a mixture of wonderful memories being created and moments weâd rather forget. Itâs normal, but itâs also normal to want to increase the wonderful parts.
More from MamĂĄsLatinas: Tips for a great family vacation on a budget
Iâve got some suggestions for how to keep the whole family happy during your holiday road trips. Granted, they might not all be happy at the same time. I canât promise that, but I can promise that with the right attitude and some proper planning, you can have an adventure on the road as a family that you will treasure for years to come. Check out my tips, I hope they help your family have as much fun as possible getting from here to there and back again!
Psst: If you purchase an item on this list, MamĂĄsLatinas may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
Plan your route in advance.
I mean really plan your route in advance as opposed to just how long it takes to drive from point A to point B. You want to know what the weather will be like. Yes, sometimes that changes, but get a general feel for it. Also, know where you can stop for gas, food, and bathroom breaks should you need to because you will absolutely need to if you are traveling as a family.
Plan your stops in advance.
Based on personal experience, I’m going to say that you should plan to make stops on your road trip every four to six hours. If you have very young kids or are traveling with a pet, I might shorten that to every three to five hours. And when I say stop, I don’t mean stopping to get gas or go potty. I mean stopping to stretch your legs and look around for an hour at least.
Limit car travel to six to eight hours in a day.
It might seem like a great idea to just power through and drive for 10 hours straight, but if time and budget allow, consider overnight stays along the way. It’s hard for adults to keep their cool on long car rides, it’s nearly impossible for children not to lose it when stuck in a vehicle for too many hours. Also, I don’t know about your kids, but my kids love spending the night at hotels or Airbnbs. That means that you’ll have to budget and plan for these stays along the way, as there might be no room at the inn, if you don’t.
Let the kids be a part of the planning.
Itâs easy as a parent to just want to plan everything yourself, but including your kids in the planning stages might make them have more fun and feel more invested in the adventure. Give them some options of where you can stop or spend the night and I bet you theyâll be really excited about their picks and getting there.
Know that there will be some unexpected stops.
Yes, you have planned stops and would love to just stick to those stops, but someone is going to need an unscheduled break at some point. Let them have it. It can be quick as it wasnât planned, but if someoneâs got to pee or whatever, donât make them hold it for too long. And don’t throw a hissy fit, if you don’t want them to throw hissy fits.
Consider shipping gifts to your destination.
Some holidays involve visiting people and bringing gifts. Those gifts can take up precious space in your vehicle, so why not have the gifts shipped directly to your destination ahead of time. Nowadays, itâs so easy to have gifts shipped to the recipient when you order online that there really is no reason not to.
Pack a first aid kit.
You can put a first aid kit together yourself or do like I do and just buy one that’s already stocked with everything you might need and then some like this one by YIDERBO.
Description:Â
This survival kit contains items including: instant ice pack, burn dressing, cotton swabs, emergency blanket, scissors, safety pins, bandages, and gauze pads, that can make all the difference, and it is a great emergency kit for basic supplies.
Pets need first aid kits, too.
If you are traveling with pets, don’t forget to pack a first aid kit for them like this one by Arca Pet.
Description:Â
In addition to essential pet first aid supplies, this kit also includes a dog thermometer, muzzle, tick kit, emergency flashlight, and a handy mini first aid kit pouch. Plus, it comes with a comprehensive first aid manual with essential instructions for treating everything from snake bites to minor injuries.
Don't forget snacks, snacks, and more snacks.
I’m not going to tell you what snacks to pack because I’m sure that you and your kids already know what you like. I encourage you to bring items in single pack options or that you’ve divvied up into single servings. You don’t want to have to deal with a whole bunch of open packages that everyone is digging into, because things get messy real quick.
Make snacking fun with a GoBe Kids Snack Spinner.
Have you seen these snack spinners? They are genius for younger kids because not only do they keep snacks separate, they are fun to use.
Description:Â
SNACK. SPIN. REPEAT: Make snacking a breeze with five snacking compartments and an interactive button. Combine your snack bowls and cups into one lightweight easy-to-use container!
A back seat car organizer is so useful.
Let them have their stuff within easy reach with a back seat car organizer like this one by Helteko.
Description:Â
The back seat car organizer comes with nine different-sized storage compartments including a clear tablet holder, pockets for bottles, and large mesh pockets for other essentials.
WaterWipes are for everyone!
“I regret bringing wipes on our road trip,” said no one ever!
Description:Â
WaterWipes are ideal babies, adults, and pets, too. Reach for them to clean small messes on skin and clothes and to refresh skin in warmer weather, keep them in your gym bag or car to clean on-the-go and use them to wipe your dogâs paws after a walk outdoors.
Bring wipes for your car!
Your vehicle will be bombarded with crumbs, spills, and all sorts of messiness. For quick cleanup, bring some ArmorAll car wipes.
Description:
Convenient disposable wipes designed to remove ground-in dirt, dust, and grime. They are great for car dash, vinyl, fabric, carpet, consoles, leather, and more.
Relax screen time rules.
I’m not telling you what to do, but I am telling you what I do. When we’re on a road trip, I let my kids use their electronics a whole lot more than usual. I mean, if we’re driving through the Grand Canyon, I’m going to tell them to put their devices away and look out the window, but if we’re on a freeway for hours and hours with nothing but road and other cars to look at, Imma let them watch a movie, play a game, or listen to an audiobook and not feel guilty about it.
Empower everyone with a Lion Prowler Power Bank.
$49
en
Lion Energy
I was sent a sample of one of these power banks by the manufacturer as a back-to-campus must-have for my teens and let me tell you that this is one handy dandy device that is also great for holiday road trips. Because what’s the point of loosening up on screen time rules if the screens run out of power? Make sure you have a charger on hand like this one by Lion Energy.
Description:Â
The Lion Prowler is a portable power unit that provides wireless charging for many smart cellphones, USB devices, and has a flashlight and a lamp.
- Easy to use: Plug in any USB device that needs power
- Convenient: Easy to transport, lightweight, and fits in your back pocket, backpack, carry bag, or clipped on with a carabiner
- Durable: Rugged design and comfortable to hold in your hand
- It comes with a five-year warranty
Don't forget to bring travel blankets like this one by Teton.
Teton sent me a sample of their Acadia Outdoor Camp Blanket and it is wonderful. It’s perfect for travel because it’s made out of a material that is lightweight and so easy to clean. It’s so cozy on road trips and comes with a travel pouch. Plus, if you put it on the ground outdoors, it doesn’t get burrs stuck on it.
Description:Â
It doesnât matter if youâre packing for camping trips, beach days, or outdoor concerts, the Acadia Outdoor camp blanket will be the first thing you toss in the car. Â A 30D poly ripstop shell, innovative ultra-warm fiber filling, and smooth brushed poly backing combine for the ideal blend of comfort and durability. Â Itâs also machine washable for maximum convenience. Whether youâre camping, picnicking, or hiking, elevate any occasion with the Acadia outdoor camp blanket.
Bring reusable water bottles for everyone.
This is a pet peeve of mine: I absolutely hate it when we don’t travel with reusable water bottles. Buying single-use plastic bottles of water just bothers me. I’m a fan of the Owala reusable bottles, but if you already have reusable water bottles, please use those.
Description:Â
The Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle with Locking Push-Button Lid easily tackles every thirst. With a built-in, easy-clean straw and a wide-mouth opening, the FreeSip reusable bottle is designed for drinking two different ways: sipping upright through the straw or tilting back to swig from the wide-mouth spout opening. Add in a push-to-open lid and playful colors, and staying hydrated has never been simplerâor more fun.
A Spurtar Car Headrest Pillow can provide the comfort your kids need to sleep in the car.
I personally love neck pillows when I travel, but they can be annoying when in a car because you have to find a spot to store them when you’re not using them or keep them attached to your neck at all times. I love this concept of a headrest because it doesn’t have to be removed. Keep in mind that this particular model only works on car headrests that go up and down and have round poles.
Description:
This car headrest pillow provides support for sleeping kids or adults and is designed to will help them stay in a healthy and comfortable position to avoid head/neck/shoulder pain.
Get your car serviced before you head out!
It seems like a no-brainer to get your car serviced before a long trip, but so many people forget to do this. Get your vehicle checked, get fluids topped off, make sure tires are in good condition, and so on. Also, if you are going to be driving in snowy conditions, make sure you have the right tires or chains you can attach.
Stock up on patience.
I can’t tell you were to buy it because it’s not sold anywhere. I can tell you that focusing on your breath as you inhale and exhale slowly will help you stay calm or get back to something close to it. Remember that adventures come with surprises. Some good, some less than good. Being in a confined space with family members for long periods of time on holiday road trips can be hard, but it can also be wonderful. May you have fun, create beautiful memories, and get to your destination safely.
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