Road trips are one of the best ways for a family to spend time together. According to a study by OnePoll in 2019, about 73 percent of Americans would choose road-tripping over flying. A good enough reason is that it allows you to save on cost and helps you avoid navigating the chaotic airports when traveling with children.
Moreover, a long road trip provides you enough time to bond with the family. But still, it is not without its challenges. Traveling when cooped up in a car for long hours through long stretches of dull scenery can induce a feeling of restlessness and crankiness.
However, your experience needs not to be stressful. Here are some simple tips you can employ to ensure that you have the best road trip with your kids. If you are from another country and planning a road trip then you need to get an International Driver's Permit.
Include Your Kids in the Planning of the Trip
When planning a road trip, your opinions alone should not be the only one that matters. Remember that the journey is for the whole family. It is a good idea to get everyone to contribute to the planning of the trip.
Rather than selecting a destination and enforcing it on your kids, listen to their destination selections, and reach a consensus. You can opt to give them a list of destinations that you approve of and allow them to choose the best.
Pack Like A Professional
Bringing too much stuff to a road trip can be messy. Still, you need to carry enough items to avoid suffering from the wrath of bored children. Ensure that you take enough in-vehicle entertainment materials for your children.
Some offline entertainment examples include small dolls, cars, colored books and pencils, and travel board games.
Do not forget to carry seat-back bags, collapsible dishes, and trash bins to keep everything tidy during your trip. If you have a small kid aged between two and four, a small potty will help to make wee stops stress-free.
Prepare your Means of Transport
Do you have a recreational vehicle (RV) that you can use for your trip? An RV is the best means of transport for families taking a road trip. It provides a comfort that is very similar to the one from home. You can sit and stretch your legs comfortably.
It comes with a kitchen that allows you to always eat healthy meals while on the road. Its seating configuration makes it easy for the family to share some quality time. Best of all, it is highly affordable as you get to save on hotel fees and junk food since you can cook from the RV.
You do not need to travel from your home to the trip destination with the RV. The journey can be long and tiring, making you lose interest in the road trip. However, you can hire an RV transport service to move the RV to the destination you will be taking your road trip.
Create a fun-packed itinerary
One of the best ways to ensure kids are happy when they have a long drive ahead is planning a fun-packed itinerary. Long journeys don’t seem so bad when there’s something to look forward to. Research online, get some ideas from fellow travelers and search for places you can visit or stop off en-route. From attractions like Silver Dollar City and afternoons at the beach to child-friendly museums and days out at a zoo, wildlife park or adventure center, it’s a fantastic idea to break up days on the road.
Finding glamping spots on your road trip:
If you're planning a road trip this summer, consider adding some glamping to your itinerary! Glamping (a portmanteau of "glamorous" and "camping") is a great way to enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort. There are many types of glamping, from yurts and safari tents to treehouses and airstreams. Figure out the best glamping in Oregon and book your spot before you head on your family road trip. Glamping can be more expensive than traditional camping, so be sure to factor that into your budget when planning your trip.
Plan for Car sickness
Many children are prone to car sickness when they travel in a vehicle for long hours. It can pose a challenge, especially if your trip is in an area that is hard to get medical services. You should, therefore, carry medical-grade bags and nausea medicine.
You may also consider using ginger or food products made of peppermint to help with nausea.
Summing Up
A family road trip is the best tool you can use to grow the bond between your family. It is also a great way to educate your children about the world. Allow your children to be part of the planning process to make the experience more realistic for them. Organize your life on the road by packing everything in a way that makes it easy to access. It is stressful to deal with a mess during your travel.
**Post contributed by peer travel writer, Jared Krone, based in New England.**
