Road Trip Tips

Are you hitting the road this summer? If you’ve got kids along for the ride, a little advance planning can make the difference between a dream vacation and a stressful nightmare! Here are some easy ideas for keeping the journey fun and easy:

1. Time it : For your sanity and theirs, plan an age appropriate trip. Older children can press on, but don’t plan long stretches if there’s a toddler on board!

2. Pack smart : Create a packing list and think through what you’ll need- and what you won’t. For more leg room, and less to manage, leave behind the non-essentials.

3. Be ready for anything : Keep a basic first aid kit, wipes and a change of clothes for each child easily accessible to avoid having to unpack the car to get them if they’re needed.

4. Stash plenty of snacks! A well-timed snack can be a lifesaver! Serve small, nutritious snacks through out the trip. You’ll get a lot of (peaceful) mileage out of a batch of individually wrapped Coconut-Peanut Butter Bars

5. Open up your bag of tricks : Fill a tote with books, cds, videos and small toys. Hand them out as needed to keep things calm- and the kids occupied.

Passports, please. In the weeks leading up to the trip, map out your route with the kids. Use both the GPS and paper maps to Identify landmarks and points of interest to keep watch for on the way. Turn small notebooks into “passports” and give the kids stamps or stickers as you reach each destination.

Scavenger hunt: From cows to license plates, trains to billboards, make a game of finding all the items on a scavenger hunt list. There are so many great smart phone apps available, including one that will tell you the cargo of each truck you pass on the road.

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