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You Are Here: Days of a Domestic Dad » 5 Road Trip Tips from the Domestic Dad

Travel

5 Road Trip Tips from the Domestic Dad

July 13, 2015
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Disclosure: As a part of the Vicks Ambassador Network I was asked to write about travelling with kids. All story’s and opinions are my own.

With a large family, we have come to accept the fact that it is just more budget-friendly for us to travel by car everywhere. And, honestly, it’s not a bad thing. We quite prefer it. As a child, I looked forward to our summer trips to the Gulf Coast or Kentucky. And now my kids expect to do the same, but all over the USA.

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But that is not to say that road trips with kids does not have its challenges. Traveling with 5 kids over the course of almost 19 years, we have learned a thing or two about how to make the process easier. How to keep the kids entertained. And, most importantly, how to maintain our sanity on the road. Of course, some tips may seem more like common sense, but they are tips for road trips with kids that work for us.

1. Be Prepared:

  • Pack the night before (at least). Our girls are typically packed a few days before. Laundry is done. Outfits are laid out by day/activity. Shoes matched up. Jackets with the bags. Toiletries ready to throw in the bag after use and we’re gone. Last minute scouring for things is too stressful and not good for anyone.
  • Prep for anything. Napkins and wipes should be handy for accidents along the road. Even if you do not allow eating the car, you never know. A first-aid kit for scrapes. Bug spray. Sun screen. Blankets. Whatever you think may arise on the road.
  • Check the vehicle. Air pressure in tires. Fluids. Oil change. Brakes. Spare tire. Jack in thecar. Jumper cables. Again, be prepared for anything. Being broke down on the side of the road… with kids… is never fun.
  • Set expectations. We do our best to plan our stops along the route. This allows the kids to know exactly how long they have to wait between stops or our destination and we rarely hear, “Are we there yet?“

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2. Play Games:

  • ABC Game. Our favorite. Simply go letter-by-letter of the alphabet and find a word that starts with each one. Q and Z are always where we get stuck for a little while, especially on country roads. But the kids love it and it engages the whole family.
  • License Plate Bingo. The kids look for license plates from each state and have bingo boards to mark each one off as we go.
  • I Spy. Classic game and the kids just love playing it. Our rule? It has to be something in the car.
  • Scavenger Hunt. We use pre-printed lists that the kids can check off as drive down the road. It may become a family hunt but each kids has their own card to check off and that’s enough.
  • Name that Tune. One person hums a tune while the others try to guess the song. The one who guesses then gets to hum.

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3. Car Activities: 

  • 1-line Story. Someone starts off the story with a sentence. The next person then adds another line and you continue around the car. No one knows where the story will lead and it’s fun to engage everyone.
  • Road Trip Map. We map out our trip and then give each child a copy of the map. They can then either ask (for the younger ones) or read where we are on road signs and follow the journey. Include pit stops, landmarks, and other fun things to notice on the road as well. They can then easily track how far you are from each destination.
  • Stickers. Sticker books can bring long periods of fun for kids. Colorforms are also perfect for this. For some reason it’s fun to put sticky pictures on things.
  • Books. Yep, good ol’ fashioned books. My kids love to read. Pack them in a bag and there ya go!
  • Toys. Each child is given a backpack they can fill with books, small toys, or other items to entertain them along the way. The girls typically bring at least one doll of some sort and some sort of small figurines for lap play in the car.
  • Movies. If you allow it, give them a way to watch a movie. For our youngest, the Disney Movies Anywhere app is perfect! We download a couple of movies the night before and when she needs to take a break from everything she can watch a movie.

 

4. Snack Ideas:

  • Fruit snacks. The little packages of chewy snacks that the kids can easily take out of the package one at a time and eat. Yeah, those.
  • Frozen grapes. My girls love their grapes cold and this is an easy way to keep them that way. Freeze them overnight and then serve them cold in the car. Another simple finger food… and a healthy one at that!
  • Pretzels. Trail mix. Raisins. Really, anything you know your child will eat and that can easily be eaten in a car. Plus, something that will not fall apart with crumbs and leave a mess. You do have to travel for a bit in that seat.

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5. Get Plenty of Rest:

  • Go to bed. It is always important to be well rested when travelling on the road. The whole family is counting on you to get them to where they are going, safe and sound.
  • • ZzzQuil is a non-habit-forming sleep-aid for the relief of occasional sleeplessness that helps you fall asleep easily, sleep soundly and wake refreshed.

This doesn’t even incorporate everything I am sure. You know your kid. Pack accordingly and do your best to remain patient. Road trips can be incredible and stressful at the same time. Embrace the time with your family and the memories made. I know we do.

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What are your best tips for road trips with kids?

For more info about ZzzQuil check out their website ZzzQuil.com, ZzzQuil Facebook  or ZzzQuil Twitter.

For more #TravelTipZzz, make sure to check out my fellow bloggers!

Simply Being Mommy: http://simplybeingmommy.com/2015/07/13/good-nights-sleep-while-traveling/

Mammamoiselle: http://mammamoiselle.com/2015/07/traveling-abroad-5-tips/

Mom Generations: http://www.momgenerations.com/2015/07/5-tips-for-healthy-family-travel-traveltipzzz/

MommyKatie: http://www.mommykatie.com/2015/07/summer-travel-made-little-simpler-with.html

Our Ordinary Life: http://www.ourordinarylife.com/?p=36870&preview=true


3 Comments

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Comments

  1. Crystal says

    July 13, 2015 at 10:46 am

    I ALWAYS travel with ZzzQuil. It’s helped me get a good nights sleep while away from home more times than I can count on both hands!

  2. thecubiclechick says

    July 13, 2015 at 11:20 am

    I love this post! Preparation is indeed key to a successful family vacay. Love the wheels!

  3. Stephanie C. says

    July 13, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    It’s so true, when road tripping, whoever is driving should be well rested! I love all of your other tips, too – especially some of those car activities. My kids would love the map idea. We already do a map and I have car friendly games for them to play. Thanks for all the great ideas!

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About Colby

Days of a Domestic Dad is for my fellow parents who are simply living the dream. For me, it's the daddy dream life. I share real stories about family life and travel, as well as plenty of auto and tech talk. Read More…

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First thing’s first, remove all distractions bef First thing’s first, remove all distractions before driving your car. I’ve partnered with @TxDOT to remind you that all distractions – whether texting, eating, grooming, having a conversation, etc. – can be dangerous. #ad   That is why my family and I are also taking the AT&T It Can Wait pledge at http://www.ItCanWait.com/ to never drive distracted. Will you join us?   #HeadsUpTexas #EndTheStreakTX #ItCanWait
Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinatio Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. - Unknown #glaciermt #glaciermtroadtrip #montanalife #montanamoment #montanagram #montanaliving #montanalove #getoutsideandplay #getoutdoorsmore #takemeoutside #outdooradventures #outdoorlifestyle #traveling #roadtripusa #roadtriplife #familytravel #feedyouradventure #usroadtrip #scenicdrive #placestosee #travelaround #seeeverything #goingplaces #findadventure #welivetoexplore #chooseadventure #letsgosomewhere #exploreeverywhere #glaciernps #traveldeeper
As I get older and wiser as a dad of 5, I realize parenting is mostly about preparation. That is why I am proud to partner with @TxDOT on educating my daughters about distracted driving.    As a young guy, I found myself preparing to be a dad, or at least a good dad. Now I find myself preparing my children to be good people and safe drivers on the road. Jaci and I have been going over distracted driving prevention tips and having a little fun with the new web-based AR game – Dart Those Distractions. It helps promote safe driving in a fun way.   Check out the link in my bio to play. #HeadsUpTexas #EndTheStreakTX #ad
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