Family Travel Tips: 18 Ways to Enjoy a Road Trip

Whenever one of my friends returns from some timeboredom or sibling arguments.11. Make sure to talk
away, I ask: "Was it a vacation - or was it just aabout your vacation like it is the ultimate adventure.
trip?"When traveling with kids, true vacations are prettyThe enthusiasm that you bring to the prospect of piling
hard to come by. With the packing, the car seats, theinto the car will help in untold ways.In the Car12. If you
change in sleeping schedules, and all the inevitablecan, do as much traveling as possible while your kids
whining that comes along, it would be way easier toare sleeping. Of course, safety is paramount. If you find
stay home (especially when traveling by car.)And yetyourself getting at all sleepy, pull over and switch with
traveling is important. When we travel, we open to ayour spouse or find a hotel.13. If you don't like to drive
world that was previously unknown to us. We touchat night, or you are driving through countryside that you
other cultures and other ways of life; we broaden ourwould like your children to see in the daylight, make
own perspectives and understand, finally, that our smallsure you leave plenty of travel time. Plan on a
problems are just that.When we travel with kids, wemaximum of seven hours of driving per day. Get up
open their eyes to all of this and more. Even when weearly, drive a bit, and then check into your hotel in the
take a simple trip to visit distant relatives, we showmid afternoon and enjoy the swimming pool. Have a
them a world of love that they may not had knownnice, relaxed dinner and leisurely check out some local
existed.Here are eighteen tips to help you enjoy roadsites in the evening.14. While driving during the day, plan
trip traveling with your kids.Before the trip:1. Use onlineto stop at least every hour and a half. Stretch, take
trip-planning websites to locate kid-friendly parks,some bathroom breaks, and remember that getting
historic monuments, and other attractions in advance.there is half the adventure.15. Finger knitting really helps
Plan at least one kids' activity each day, even on thosemy kids to pass the time. All you need is a ball of yarn.
driving days. Involving your kids in the planning of yourThere is no mess and you can find simple instructions
vacation will help them to get excited about the trip,online by doing a Google search for "Finger Knitting."
too.2. When you are doing your research and bookingDuring our last car trip, we all arrived at our destination
your destination, consider an all-inclusive resort. Thesewith lovely pink finger knitted scarves.16. During a
types of arrangements (in which your lodging, dining,routine fuel stop, ask each child to choose five or six
attractions, and activities are included) can really helppostcards that they can send to their friends. Make
you relax and enjoy your precious vacation time.3.sure to bring your address book and postage stamps
Have each child pack their own small backpack withso you can mail them on the way.17. Allow one child to
the books, workbooks, and activities that they mostbe the "navigator" each day. The navigator looks at
want to bring.4. Have a kid-friendly travel map on hand,the map and gives recommendations on where to
as well as a pair of binoculars.5. Consider buying orstop for snacks, gas, and meals.18. Try these simple
borrowing a portable DVD player. We only get oursTravel Games:The Alphabet Game: Find all the letters
out on long trips, but it has been really helpful, especiallyof the alphabet, in order, on license plates, billboards,
if you are traveling very long distances.6. Get eachand road signs. Or find objects that begin with each
child a special book of games, puzzles, or simpleletter.I Spy: One person spies something in the
coloring books, just for the drive, along with somelandscape or in the car and gives clues. (One possible
washable markers.7. Bring some music that everyonevariation on this game is "20 Questions.")License Plate
will enjoy singing along to. We love our CD of old"I Spy": See how many states you can spot.License
campfire songs. You can even create your own CDsPlate Alphabet: Find all the letters of the alphabet, in
of family favorites.8. Bring a Frisbee or a football fororder, on license plates.Letter Bingo: Print out Bingo
when you stop at a park. You want to help your kidssheets with clip art or words depicting sites you will
burn some energy in a reasonable amount of time.9.see on your trip.Ultimately, it's important to remember
Pack healthy low-mess snacks, such as nuts, trail mix,that there is no such thing as a perfect family vacation.
apples, energy bars, and bottled water. A package ofPrepare as much as possible in advance, and then
baby wipes often comes in handy for little messes inrelax and go with the flow.Jamie Jefferson writes for
the car, too.10. Pack a journal and a disposable cameraVisit today for the latest online Coupon Codes including
for each child, so that they can document the trip infamily vacation packages and discount travel
their own way. These items can be gift wrapped andpromotions.
given to the kids as you need a diversion from