With the lifting of travel restrictions and the chance to finally get out and about, many families will strike out for day trips with the children, and some may venture even further afield to enjoy a short break.
But let’s face it, car journeys with the children can be a bit of an endurance test. From the ‘are we nearly there yet?' to the multiple toilet breaks and requests for food, you can be left feeling overwhelmed.
It always pays to be prepared. There is nothing worse than not having what you need if a child is unwell on the road. Pack a change of clothes, spare nappies, wipes, rubbish bags, and a basic first aid kit with the medical essentials. It is also a good idea to have a potty, even if your child is fully trained.
Pack some healthy snacks and drinks that you know the kids enjoy to dole out as you travel. If you are travelling during a meal time, consider preparing a picnic and find a grassy spot or a playground to stop and enjoy a fun lunch before continuing your journey
Travel in comfort. For younger children, ensure their car seats have the appropriate head supports, especially for napping. A good trick for baby toys is to clip them onto the car seat so that when they are inevitably flung out during the journey they can easily be retrieved. Pack favourite toys and blankets in the car, not the boot.
Ensure older children have seat belt adjusters to keep them strapped in safely, and give them neck supports and cushions for longer journeys.
Use a route planner or sat nav to give you an idea of how long the journey will be before you set off, and plan regular stops. Children will get restless, so stop every hour or two to allow everyone to get out, stretch their legs, and get some fresh air. This also helps to avoid driver fatigue.
Entertainment is key for the journey. Playing some car games like I-spy (with very flexible rules ), counting different coloured cars, or seeing if you can get other passengers to wave back are all fun.
Get older children to produce music playlists, or if they all want to listen to different music, use headphones. And you could try having a car karaoke competition.
If your children have a handheld console or tablet they could watch a favourite show or play games, just remember to charge it before you leave.
Enjoy your road trip, and safe motoring.
