Traveling with kids is not always the funnest thing and traveling by car can be more stressful for many reasons. The journey is usually longer; the kids are stuck, buckled in their seats for long periods; and space is cramped.
I previously shared my tips on car travel with a baby and yesterday I shared my Holiday Travel Tips when flying on Perfectly Imperfect Mom and many of the tips on packing apply to car travel as well but here are some more specific tips for holiday car travel with kids:
1. Be diligent about car seat safety.
Long road trips are definitely not the time to get lax on proper car seat use. Because you are going farther, going faster and drivers may be more tired from hours on the road, chances of an accident can increase. When traveling long distances I want my kids as safe as possible which means Sugarplum and Doodle are rear facing and Honeybun is is a 5-point harness. Not only does this keep them safer but they are also more comfortable for car naps and relaxing on the road.
2. Keep things you’ll need on the drive and in case of am emergency handy.
The floorboards of the back seat under rear facing car seats or kids’ feet is the perfect place to keep snacks, water, and in the winter time, coats and blankets. With car seats installed, you can’t always get to the trunk from inside the car (unless you drive an SUV) and may not be able to safely exit the car.
3. Take soft, small toys in the car.
Most child passenger safety experts follow the rule “if you wouldn’t throw it at your child’s head, they shouldn’t have it in the car,” due to the projectile risk in the event of an accident. I’m not super diligent about this but I do try to stick to paperback books, soft animals and small art supplies.
4. Stop frequently.
Little (and big) legs need time to stretch, run and of course, use the potty! Don’t try to go too far without stopping. Plan your trip to include a short stop every 2-4 hours (depending on the age and temperament of your kids) and realize no stop will probably ever take less than 30 minutes!
5. Bring kids music and books on tape.
Hubby likes to listen to NPR while we drive, the kids not so much! We usually bring a few books on tape as well as the kids’ favorite music (Frozen) to listen to when they are awake to help pass the time and keep them happy and entertained.
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