We do not travel too much due to budget constraints but lately we have done a lot more traveling via car. With 3 kids in tow, this takes some planning and some really great packing skills 🙂
Here are some tips on how to survive family road trips:
1. Pack in containers, not suitcases
Containers stack nicely in your vehicle and take up less space. If you are going to different places and making different stops, then pack a container for each stop so you only have to take one container in at a time!
**Our cooler went on stop of these containers.**
2. Make snack / busy bags or baskets for each child
Some trips are healthier than others 🙂 For the kids, I fill up a basket for each of them. I let them know that is all the food for that car trip. Once it is gone, it is gone. This saves me from hearing over and over again “can I eat something??”
For the busy bags, I would bring out toys or books that I had set aside a few months ago (I will hide some of their favorite things in my closet so that they are even more excited to see them when we get in the car).
I also have se real games and coloring books that we only use when traveling. They still get super excited every time they see them.
For older kids, include a journal that they can record all of the fun events of the trip. Our daughter likes to write her own stories about what happened with the family!
3. Limit screen time to only certain times of the trip so that they do not get board with movies and tablets too soon!
This is where those baskets come into play! Once you start the movies, it is hard to stop them! We like to hold onto them for the complete meltdown times!
If it is in your budget, it is also helpful to have a new movie for them to watch. Redbox is always a cheap option (just make sure you return it when you get to your destination).
4. Have small gifts for each kids
I will usually go to the dollar store right before the trip and buy some small gifts and wrap them. Throughout the trip, I will make a big deal that it is present time and they get to open 1 gift.
**Make sure you have some for the ride back as well or you will never hear the end of it**
5. Plan your stops
Go ahead and map out your trip and figure out some fun places to stop along the way. For us, we will almost always stop at a Chik-fil-a for lunch so the kids can play in the play area. We also try and make another stop to go an see and learn something new if we have time. This also gives the kids something to look forward to.
Things to have easily accessible:
1. Portable potty
When you have 2 three years olds, this is a MUST. They always have to go potty when there isn’t an exit anywhere close and of course, they have to go right then!
2. Wipes
Wipes are great for everything!
3. Snacks
Snacks can fix most anything.
4. Trash bags
And lots of them! You never know when you will need a grocery bag or trash bag. We use them for wet clothes as well as trash.
