| Top 10 Tips Taking for Road Trips With Kids | | | | run around and exhaust some of their energy. |
| Like many other families, our family takes a number | | | | 6. Stop every 3-4 hours. If you are traveling with |
| of road trips each year. We have three beautiful | | | | small kids like us, you will really want to take |
| young daughters and people often say to me How | | | | advantage of this tip. Kids dont have a concept of |
| can you stand to take road trips with young kids? In | | | | time. By the time 3 hours goes by in a car it seems |
| fact, I love taking road trips. I now prefer them to | | | | like forever to them. Even stopping at a gas station |
| traveling by plane. Here are my top 10 tips for having | | | | and letting everyone get out of the car and stretch |
| a fun and non-stressful driving vacation. | | | | their legs for a few minutes really works. |
| 1. Leave early in the morning, before Breakfast. This | | | | 7. Play car games. A favorite of ours is Cops and |
| way you can get a few hours under your belt while | | | | Vettes. One point is given for every police car |
| the kids (hopefully) sleep in the car. Then stop for | | | | spotted and two points are given for Corvettes. But |
| breakfast. | | | | if you call a car and its not correct then you deduct |
| 2. If your budget allows, buy your child(ren) a new | | | | the points. It even helps to spot that hidden police |
| toy for the trip. Dont let them play with it until you | | | | car before he spots you! |
| are in the car and on your way. | | | | 8. Bring plenty of pillows and blankets. Children are |
| 3. Bring along a portable DVD player if your car | | | | more likely to sleep in the car if they are |
| doesnt already have one. For long trips, pack at least | | | | comfortable. |
| 3 or more DVDs. Its even better if you can buy a | | | | 9. If you plan to stay somewhere overnight before |
| couple of new ones to keep your child(ren)s | | | | traveling the next day, pack everything you need for |
| attention better. | | | | the night in one bag. That way when you get to the |
| 4. Pack a cooler with lots of your kids favorite | | | | hotel you dont have to unload the whole car. I buy |
| snacks, drinks and sandwiches. Keep the cooler | | | | the biggest Ziploc bags I can find and put my |
| handy in the car, so you can just reach in and give | | | | childrens clothes in them and write their name on it. |
| them something. Packing your own food saves on | | | | Then I only take what is needed. |
| costs. | | | | 10. Check the hotels to see if they offer free |
| 5. Stop at a nice rest area to eat your meals. This will | | | | breakfast. Our favorite hotel to stay in is Holiday Inn. |
| be less stressing then hauling the kids into a crowded | | | | Kids stay and eat free. If we arrive at the hotel in |
| McDonalds. When we travel from Texas to Maryland | | | | the evening, they can eat dinner for free and then |
| each year we stop at a beautiful rest area in | | | | breakfast the next morning. Once again it saves on |
| Tennessee. It has nice bathroom facilities and is | | | | costs, especially if you pack your own lunch. |
| located on several acres giving the kids a chance to | | | | I hope these tips help you on your next road trip. |