Heading up to the tip of Australia for a fun road trip with kids? Or perhaps you’re heading down South to visit relatives?
If you are spending any period of time in the car with your children, then you will need to be prepared. In fact, your car may look like a daycare by the end of the trip, but this will make it much easier to concentrate on the task at hand — driving the distance all the while keeping the kids entertained and happy in the back.
1. Bring Plenty of Toys
Let your children choose what toys they want to bring. Allow them to pack a backpack or a bucket of the toys they want for the trip. That way, if they want a certain toy and left it at home, then they only have themselves to blame.
2. Bring Plenty of Snacks
When you are packing snacks, think clean. Things wrapped in individual packaging are often best such as Teddy’s, and fruit snacks. However, you may also want to pack some healthier options such as trail mix or nuts, pre-cut fruit and pre-cut veggies. A friend of mine that does the trip from Brisbane to Sydney regularly has a little tray of snacks wedged between her two sons so they can just help themselves as they drive.
3. Bring Plenty of Drinks
When choosing your drinks, make sure you select items that come with a lid to keep in the car seat organiser. A good way to spend less on snacks is to stock up on items at the grocery store rather than buying a drink every time you stop for fuel. You can get items, such as water and juices, much cheaper when you buy them warm at the grocery store and then store them in the fridge before you go.
4. Carry a Portable Cooler with Ice
This will keep those snacks and drinks cool along the way. Warm water after a long hot day in the car just doesn’t satisfy like a cool drink of water will.
5. Have Fun with Activity Books or Games
Colouring books, sticker books and crossword puzzles can be great for children on long drives, provided they do not get car sick.
6. Bring a spare change of clothes, towel and wipes
Ever had a child get car sick all over the back seat of your car? If not, then it’s always best to be prepared just in case and when your little one projectile vomits all over himself, you will want to give him something clean and fresh to wear.
7. Bring plenty of Plastic Bags
These are for any pukey, messy, yucky clothes and other articles. You can also use plastic bags to clean up the food mess every time you stop at a rest stop.
8. Buy a Toy Organiser
You can buy portable organisers for the road that will hang from the back of the front seats. While these are not necessary, they certainly are useful and can help your little ones store all the items they will need within grabbing distance. There is usually plenty of space for a drink bottle, toys, wipes, books and anything else. And, best of all, it saves you having to constantly reach in the back seat and help them reach the items on the floor.
9. Bring a tablet/nintendo.
Try and leave these for when the kids get whingey! Bring out the cool gadgets like iPad or Nintendo switch, if you have one — great for kids to pass the time – and educational too! Make sure to have pre-downloaded activities/movies, there are many spots without wifi on the road, I have made this mistake a few times eep!
10. Give a lot of extra time
Because stops are a must. Depending on the age of the child, you may be stopping every hour. Or, you may be able to drive for several hours at a time without having to take a break. If you need to be somewhere on a certain day, give yourself a day or two travel time just in case.
