More Family Travel Roadtrip Tips
Good preparation for your road trip will help make it a major success. We encourage each of the kids to pack a small backpack with some of their favorite items: cd players, MP3 players, activity books, color wonder markers, handheld electronic games and books make great travel entertainment.
Some activities might take a little pre-travel planning but it will be worth it to keep the kids happy in the car (hey, anything to keep from hearing the dreaded "Are We There Yet?"). Research the areas you will be passing through and make a 'treasure hunt' list of things you will be passing by. Each child can mark off their list as they pass each location. This is a fun way for them to be able to count down the journey without having to ask how much longer! Or laminate a small map showing your travel route. Older children might enjoy being able to follow along.
If you don't have a built-in DVD player in the car, consider getting a portable DVD player. You can check out movies from the library (they usually have a great mix of entertaining, educational movies). We try to limit the DVD usage during the trip so the kids don't tire of it. For our family, variety is the key to a happy trip!
Try to take a break about every two hours. That is about as long as little ones can go without a little time to run around. We have found some rest areas that have playgrounds; a true oasis for a family! Otherwise ask at a gas station or restaurant to find a local park (if your car has a GPS, you might find parks listed on there as well). Many small towns have great parks not far from the interstate. To let the kids know exactly how much playtime there is, set a 10 minute timer (a small kitchen timer works great and easily fits in the glove box or storage area). When the timer goes off they know it is time to get back to the car-- no arguments! When you get in the car, set the timer for two hours so the kids will know exactly how long until the next stop.
Still can't get the kids to stop asking "Are We There Yet?!"....... even with all of the ideas above, some children just can't help themselves! If it's really grating on mom and dad's nerves, try offering a little incentive not to use those words. Let everyone in the car know that you will do something special (stop for ice cream, have a swim at the hotel pool, or such) if no asks that dreaded question. The kids will help remind each other not to ask (be sure to offer them plenty of activities so they are distracted).
Another fun way to battle the "Are We There Yets?" is to learn another language. Use an online translator to find the proper way to say the phrase in different languages then write it on little notecards (with easy pronunciation tips) and make sure the kids know that they must ask in one of the foreign languages. They can only use each language once per trip so they have to use them sparingly. There is definitely something endearing about hearing your five year old ask "Are We There Yet" in Japanese! Or make up your own silly phrases to use in place of AWTY. Write three or four alternatives on a notecard and let the kids use each of those once.
Enjoy your road trip and the many wonderful memories you will make along the way!
For more tips, activity reviews and listings of kids eat free restaurants, visit our website at www.familyfriendlyamerica.com
Some activities might take a little pre-travel planning but it will be worth it to keep the kids happy in the car (hey, anything to keep from hearing the dreaded "Are We There Yet?"). Research the areas you will be passing through and make a 'treasure hunt' list of things you will be passing by. Each child can mark off their list as they pass each location. This is a fun way for them to be able to count down the journey without having to ask how much longer! Or laminate a small map showing your travel route. Older children might enjoy being able to follow along.
If you don't have a built-in DVD player in the car, consider getting a portable DVD player. You can check out movies from the library (they usually have a great mix of entertaining, educational movies). We try to limit the DVD usage during the trip so the kids don't tire of it. For our family, variety is the key to a happy trip!
Try to take a break about every two hours. That is about as long as little ones can go without a little time to run around. We have found some rest areas that have playgrounds; a true oasis for a family! Otherwise ask at a gas station or restaurant to find a local park (if your car has a GPS, you might find parks listed on there as well). Many small towns have great parks not far from the interstate. To let the kids know exactly how much playtime there is, set a 10 minute timer (a small kitchen timer works great and easily fits in the glove box or storage area). When the timer goes off they know it is time to get back to the car-- no arguments! When you get in the car, set the timer for two hours so the kids will know exactly how long until the next stop.
Still can't get the kids to stop asking "Are We There Yet?!"....... even with all of the ideas above, some children just can't help themselves! If it's really grating on mom and dad's nerves, try offering a little incentive not to use those words. Let everyone in the car know that you will do something special (stop for ice cream, have a swim at the hotel pool, or such) if no asks that dreaded question. The kids will help remind each other not to ask (be sure to offer them plenty of activities so they are distracted).
Another fun way to battle the "Are We There Yets?" is to learn another language. Use an online translator to find the proper way to say the phrase in different languages then write it on little notecards (with easy pronunciation tips) and make sure the kids know that they must ask in one of the foreign languages. They can only use each language once per trip so they have to use them sparingly. There is definitely something endearing about hearing your five year old ask "Are We There Yet" in Japanese! Or make up your own silly phrases to use in place of AWTY. Write three or four alternatives on a notecard and let the kids use each of those once.
Enjoy your road trip and the many wonderful memories you will make along the way!
For more tips, activity reviews and listings of kids eat free restaurants, visit our website at www.familyfriendlyamerica.com
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