SmartHomeOwners

There's a popular saying that goes "getting there is half the fun" when taking a vacation.  But that's not always the case when traveling with kids.  In fact, kids often become bored quickly when traveling in a car for longer than 30 minutes!  They begin to bicker with one another or gripe about being too hot, too cold, hungry, crowded, etc.  If you're planning a family summer vacation soon and will be traveling by car, here are some helpful travel ideas to make it an enjoyable trip for your kids.

Plan Carefully

Traveling "light" might seem like an impossibility when packing for the entire family.  A good way to ensure that everyone has adequate room while riding in the family vehicle is to plan ahead and minimize items in the passenger area.  Pack only the bare necessities - clothes, cooler, toiletries, etc.  Allow each child to keep one small item in the passenger space, such as a pillow, walkman, small toy, etc.  Pack everything else away in the trunk or luggage holder.

Entertainment for Children

It's a good idea to keep your children's minds occupied with something fun during the trip.  This will not only minimize bickering and complaining but will also force them to use their minds and energy.  Once the games are over, they'll likely fall asleep for a while.  Print some simple word games from the Internet.  These can be played by everyone in the family and are fun and easy to learn.  Games such as I-Spy can keep everyone going for an hour or more!  There are also small travel board games and puzzle books for older children.  You can buy each child a walkman and some of their favorite books on CD.  Listening to a book on CD will occupy their time for quite a while as you enjoy the peaceful scenery.

Advice for Longer Trips

When taking a long road trip (such as five hours or more), make stops every couple of hours to allow your kids to stretch and play.  Take some picnic items along with a Frisbee, softball or other simple outdoor game.  Give them about 15 to 20 minutes of play time before heading back out on the road.  Interstates usually have rest stops with picnic and play areas.  For snacks to munch on while traveling, use sandwich bags to store crackers, hard candy, chewing gum, etc.  These are filling snacks that won't make too big of a mess in your car.  Avoid chocolate...it can melt on your seats!

Must-Have Travel Items

Some must-have items when taking a summer vacation with kids are Band-aids and antibiotic ointment, headache/fever medicine, tissues, sun screen, antiseptic hand cleanser, trash bags, travel-size detergent and paper towels.  And don't forget each child's favorite toy or stuffed animal!  If traveling out of the country, be sure to pack your kids' birth certificates and/or a photo ID.

Use these travel ideas to have a fantastic trip with your kids.  These are the times when wonderful memories are made!