With 53% of family vacations being road trips this year, hitting the road as a family is a popular vacation choice among many. While road trips can be a great way to spend time with your loved ones, planning the journey isn’t always easy. Whether you have teens or tots, planning a trip that the whole family will enjoy doesn’t have to be stressful – especially with these simple tips.
Plan everything in advance
One way to ensure everything runs smoothly for your upcoming family road trip is to plan everything ahead of time. By planning your route, scheduling rest stops along the way, and booking any hotel reservations several weeks in advance, you’ll have everything you need before the departure date even comes. Doing your research on what vehicle to take should be done ahead of time too, especially if you plan on an RV trip, as it’s important to be clear on how much space you’ll need. By planning everything in advance, you’ll have plenty of time to spend with the kids, and to focus on having the best trip possible.
Involve the kids
Involving your children in the planning process for the trip can be a great idea, as it can help to make the trip more exciting for them. One way to get them involved is to help plan the destination itself, or even stops along the way. If your destination is predetermined, you can let them pick what movies they want to watch along the way, or what snacks they wish to take. Even allowing them to help pack can bring a sense of excitement to the journey – even if you’re not taking a scenic route. No matter how you do it, involving your children can make the trip that much more special in their eyes.
Pack accordingly
Packing accordingly is an important aspect of any road trip, particularly when the kids are involved. After all, what you bring along can be the difference between a smooth ride or multiple questionings of, “Are we there yet?” For that reason, packing the proper entertainment for the journey to come is a must – no matter what the distance may be.
A coloring book will only captivate your child’s attention for so long, so it’s necessary to bring a few options. Tablets or phones, for example, can be a great distraction, as they can be preloaded with movies and games. Handheld gaming devices and iPods preloaded with music can be great as well. However, if you want to have a screen-free trip, bringing your child’s favorite books, or playing car games like ‘license plate bingo’ can also be great ways to help the time pass.
Planning a family road trip can be a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. By planning ahead, involving your children and packing accordingly, you’re sure to have the family road trip of a lifetime.