Surviving Long Car Rides With Kids
Car tripping with children involved is something I avoid at all costs. It means plenty of bathroom stops; park runs and whinging, kid songs, games. My nightmare’s are made of these fears.
However if you have no choice, it is best to go in with the right frame of mind and be prepared.
Preparation needed;
Have a list of parks with play equipment memorised for any stops needed - the children will need to stretch their legs at some point
Have snacks packed and water bottles topped up
Ensure they go to the toilet before getting in the car, and every time you stop
Have sick bags or buckets for just in case - better to be prepared
Create a playlist which everyone has contributed to - a fun activity to do on Spotify before leaving
Pack books or dolls or a quiet toy
Amuse your kids with;
Eye spy - take turns to be in. One person says, ‘I spy with my little eye something beginning with the letter ….’ and others guess what it could be. Must be something either in the car or that you can see
Moo - call ‘moo’ out the window at cows in the paddock, if a cow happens to look up at you, you get a point
Spotto - if you spy a dog in a car you have to say ‘Spotto’
Number plate - make words out of the initials on the car that passes
Face names - guess the peoples’ names in the car you pass by looking at their faces. If you both say the exact name, you get the point (best if you are in the front seat or can get an excellent visual on their faces)
Who Am I? - someone chooses a famous person and everyone else must ask questions to find out who they may be. The person answering can only reply with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Guess the song and artist - flick the radio station and everyone must try to name the song and the artist
It is handy to remember not to expect that your children will last for hours in the car. Plan plenty of breaks and toilet stops. You want to make it as stress-free as possible.
What do you ensure to pack when travelling with kiddies? What are your survival tactics? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.
