Tips on Traveling with Children on the Road

I know if you have kids you will not have time to read this article but if you are planning to travel with your kids anytime soon, like for the holidays, you may benefit from taking the couple of minutes that it will take to read this.

Traveling with kids can be a challenge at times but there are some things you can do to make it easier for everyone in the vehicle. Kids get bored sitting in one spot and not moving and if you don't provide some entertainment you will have problems like the kids fighting, or kicking the back of your seat, or you will have to hear comments like; "are we there yet"? So here are some thoughts you can put into action the next time you travel.

Every time you get out of the car for a break like getting gas or taking a bathroom break or hopefully both. Take a minute to stretch outside of the car with your kids but make sure you do it in a safe place. Reach for the sky and bend down and touch your toes (If you're still lucky enough to bend that far down to touch them). Also make sure everyone uses the bathroom whether they need to or not, that way you can eliminate some extra stops. And try to keep candy and other sweets like soda away from your kids, it just makes them hyper.

When we travel long distances we bring along a goodie bag; this bag could be a small grocery bag that I fill with little presents that I wrap ahead of time like small puzzles, packages of nuts, window stickers (great for sticking on the side window while driving), or any small toy. Then when I feel the kids are getting bored, I tell the kids they can each pick out a little present to open in the car and play with. Sometimes we make a mile marker for the next present to be opened at, or a time limit like a half hour till the next present. How many presents you should plan to take along depends on how long your trip is and how many small presents you want your children to have. If we go on a week long trip I like to have plenty of little presents on hand.