9 Tips for Traveling with Young Children
Summertime is for family vacations and road trips! Traveling with kids, however, can often be hectic. Keeping children entertained for long periods of time, even when you're not cooped up in a vehicle can be a difficult task. Today's blog from the best car dealership at the Lake of the Ozarks offers a few tips for traveling with young children.
One of the easiest ways to keep your child entertained, at least for part of the ride, is with some toys and books. Consider bringing new toys so they don't get easily bored with the old ones. If budget is a concern, ask your friends to do a toy swap - their children will benefit from getting to play with new toys too.
Not only is it important for everyone to stay hydrated on a road trip, but snacks and drinks are also a great way to keep children entertained and happy. Low-mess snacks like pureed food pouches, animal crackers or goldfish make great road trip foods.
Music is one of the best ways to keep not only children, but everyone content on a road trip. There may come a time when the crying just won't stop. Music is a great way to tune out the tears for a few minutes. The music may even help to calm your child down and/or put them to sleep.
If you're traveling with another adult, it's a good idea to spend at least part of the trip in the backseat with your child. Not only can this help keep them from getting too fussy, but it's quality bonding time for the both of you. Grab one of those books you packed and read to your child.
Technology makes it super easy to watch movies in the car these days. Either use your tablet or invest in a portable DVD system to keep your child entertained with his or her favorite movies or TV shows. If you have a tablet, you can even download some games for them to play on it as well. Consider some educational games and shows so they're learning on the go.
Keep in mind that young children don't have the patience for super-long car rides like we do. When planning your trip, don't over do it. Pick a place for your vacation that is within a reasonable driving distance. If you do have to go further away, to visit family or something, consider breaking the trip up into a couple days and stopping for some family-fun activities along the way.
Kids are more comfortable with their own stuff. If you have room, bringing your child's pillow and blanket from home can help, especially with an overnight trip. The pillow will also come in handy when your child nods off in the carseat. It can be placed between the seat and the window for extra support.
Depending on the age of your child, you'll likely need to make several bathroom stops. It's also important for everyone, not just the kids, to get out and stretch. Get some fresh air and move around for a bit before hitting the road again. This can help break up the boredom of long trips. Letting kids run around and burn off some energy can help them relax more once back in the car.
Children can be messy! Drops, spills and spit ups are bound to happen. Be sure to pack a roll of paper towels and some diaper wipes for easy clean up. A trashbag may come in handy as well. Cleaning on the go will make it easier to get your car back to normal after the long trip.
These tips are sure to make your family road trip easier. Another thing to think about for a successful road trip, with or without children, is a properly working vehicle. Before you hit the road, consider bringing it in to our vehicle service department in Camdenton, MO for a look over. Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC is here to ensure you and your family are safe on the road. We can change your oil, check your tire pressure, top off your fluids and ensure everything on your vehicle is in tip-top shape for the long trip ahead.
Sales: 573.317.4191
1. Bring Along Small Toys and Books.
One of the easiest ways to keep your child entertained, at least for part of the ride, is with some toys and books. Consider bringing new toys so they don't get easily bored with the old ones. If budget is a concern, ask your friends to do a toy swap - their children will benefit from getting to play with new toys too.
2. Pack Plenty of Snack and Drinks.
Not only is it important for everyone to stay hydrated on a road trip, but snacks and drinks are also a great way to keep children entertained and happy. Low-mess snacks like pureed food pouches, animal crackers or goldfish make great road trip foods.
3. Crank Up the Music.
Music is one of the best ways to keep not only children, but everyone content on a road trip. There may come a time when the crying just won't stop. Music is a great way to tune out the tears for a few minutes. The music may even help to calm your child down and/or put them to sleep.
4. Spend Some Time in the Backseat.
If you're traveling with another adult, it's a good idea to spend at least part of the trip in the backseat with your child. Not only can this help keep them from getting too fussy, but it's quality bonding time for the both of you. Grab one of those books you packed and read to your child.
5. Watch Some Movies.
Technology makes it super easy to watch movies in the car these days. Either use your tablet or invest in a portable DVD system to keep your child entertained with his or her favorite movies or TV shows. If you have a tablet, you can even download some games for them to play on it as well. Consider some educational games and shows so they're learning on the go.
6. Keep Your Trip as Short as Possible.
Keep in mind that young children don't have the patience for super-long car rides like we do. When planning your trip, don't over do it. Pick a place for your vacation that is within a reasonable driving distance. If you do have to go further away, to visit family or something, consider breaking the trip up into a couple days and stopping for some family-fun activities along the way.
7. Take Your Child's Pillow and Blanket.
Kids are more comfortable with their own stuff. If you have room, bringing your child's pillow and blanket from home can help, especially with an overnight trip. The pillow will also come in handy when your child nods off in the carseat. It can be placed between the seat and the window for extra support.
8. Make Plenty of Stops.
Depending on the age of your child, you'll likely need to make several bathroom stops. It's also important for everyone, not just the kids, to get out and stretch. Get some fresh air and move around for a bit before hitting the road again. This can help break up the boredom of long trips. Letting kids run around and burn off some energy can help them relax more once back in the car.
9. Bring Cleaning Supplies.
Children can be messy! Drops, spills and spit ups are bound to happen. Be sure to pack a roll of paper towels and some diaper wipes for easy clean up. A trashbag may come in handy as well. Cleaning on the go will make it easier to get your car back to normal after the long trip.
These tips are sure to make your family road trip easier. Another thing to think about for a successful road trip, with or without children, is a properly working vehicle. Before you hit the road, consider bringing it in to our vehicle service department in Camdenton, MO for a look over. Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC is here to ensure you and your family are safe on the road. We can change your oil, check your tire pressure, top off your fluids and ensure everything on your vehicle is in tip-top shape for the long trip ahead.
Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC - That's The Way We Do It At Hulett!
513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO 65020
Sales: 573.317.4191
Service: 573.317.4195
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