I love to travel! Traveling alone as a young adult is much different than traveling with little ones. I am a single mom with three little boys and, let me tell you, it can be quite a challenge! However, traveling with little ones can also be fun with little stress when you plan ahead.
The most important thing to remember when traveling with little ones is to bring snacks. The type of snacks you bring is also important. You want to give your child a snack that is easy to clean up and makes little mess. Some popular snacks include Goldfish, Honey Nut Cheerios, Raisins, Grapes, Crackers and Cheese. When choosing drinks for your little ones, be sure to select drinks that won’t make a sticky mess or stain your car. Drinks that are ideal for kids include juice boxes or bottled water. If you have a little one, bring a few sippy cups. Limit how much you give to your child to drink so you aren’t stopping every 20 minutes for potty stops. Give him enough to satisfy him if he is thirsty or after eating a snack.
When you travel with kids, bring a variety of toys. If you want the toys to last the duration of the car ride, don’t give your child all the toys at once. Keep them in a backpack or container and switch them out throughout the car ride. Have a grab bag of toys, so when she wants to play with something different, you can pull out a surprise toy each time. It will be fun for both of you! If it is just you driving, enlist an older sibling’s help in doling out the toys.
When we are traveling, my boys love to talk. We talk about where we are going and who we are going to visit. We also like to make up stories as we drive. First, somebody starts a story and then stops. The next person adds something to the story and then stops. You continue around the car until the story has an ending. Playing I Spy is also another fun activity you can do. Not only does it keep the boys actively looking for things outside, it teaches them colors. It’s a fun activity for everyone in the car to participate in.
On our most recent trip, my boys and I discovered the power of books on tape. Yes, all three of my boys listened to the stories and it occupied them for about an hour at a time, with some other activities in between. We listened to Geronimo and Stilton and they loved it! You might also consider playing Kids Songs that everyone can sing to or one of your child’s favorite CDs. Right now, my boys love to listen to the Cars 2 Soundtrack.
When traveling, it is often helpful to travel at night. Not only will the traffic on the road be minimal, but your little ones are more likely going to sleep through most of the nighttime ride to your destination. If you are traveling at night, be sure to get plenty of sleep before you leave and if you feel tired, pull over.
I also asked my boys for some ideas of things they like to do when going on road trips. Watching DVDs on the Portable DVD player was at the top of the list. If you bring a Portable DVD Player, be sure to charge the batteries and have a variety of movies or shows to play. Another favorite item to have on hand is the Leap Frog Leap Pad Explorer. My boys love playing games, taking pictures, and drawing on the Leap Pad Explorer. Coloring was also something my boys said they like to do. If you bring crayons and coloring books, be sure the crayons are WASHABLE. Believe me, it is totally worth the extra money you’ll pay to have them be washable versus regular crayons.
Road trips can be great bonding experiences and can be fun for both kids and adults. Enjoy the trip and embrace the bonding experience with your family! Happy travels!
This article has not been altered by Chrysler.
