With the advent of the COVID-19 vaccines, the pandemic seems to be slowing – which means it may be a great time to make memories with a family trip! Road trips are an excellent way to sightsee and create memorable family experiences. However, we all know that road tripping with children can be challenging. Kid’s Corner has some tips for traveling with young children.
How to Survive a Road Trip with Kids
- Allow for Extra Time: When estimating how long it will take to reach your destination(s), try to keep in mind that it will likely take longer with small children along for the ride. Kids often need to take many stops to use the restroom or stretch their legs, and this can take up a lot of time. If you prepare ahead of time for these breaks, it will ease some of the frustration.
- Stop Frequently: This tip goes hand-in-hand with the first one; since kids often get antsy when in the car for long periods of time, it’s a good idea to add frequent stops to your itinerary. Plan to stop at playgrounds, parks, and other areas where your children can run around, play, and burn off some energy.
- Keep Them Entertained: Make sure to bring plenty of things to keep your child occupied. A tablet or other electronic device is a great choice that will keep your child’s attention, but it’s also a good idea to bring some other items in case your child gets bored. Pack some fun toys, activities, and books, and make up some fun games to play, like a scavenger hunt.
Tips for Traveling During COVID
COVID may be slowing, but it is still a concern for many families. In order to address any COVID concerns you may have, there are some things you should keep in mind: remember to pack hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes and use them frequently; wear face masks when going into indoor spaces; always cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and remind your children to do the same, and maintain a six-foot distance from others when possible.
What Should You Not Forget on a Road Trip?
You’ve probably got all the road trip essentials down, but there may be a few important items that may have slipped your mind:
- Emergency Supplies: It’s always a good idea to have some emergency supplies on hand, especially if you’re going on a rural path that may not have as many corner stores to stop at. Pick up the first-aid kit, or put together your own with all the essentials.
- Phone Mount: If you don’t already have one of these, pick one up before you leave for your road trip. Being able to look at the GPS on your phone while leaving your hands free makes driving much easier and safer.
- Sunscreen: If you’re going to be making stops at playgrounds, parks, or beaches, it’s a good idea to bring sunscreen with you, especially in an Arizona summer. The last thing you want to be dealing with on your vacation is a sunburn!
- Non-Sticky Snacks: Make sure to pack lots of snacks – a hungry kid can quickly turn into a cranky kid. You’ll want to avoid sticky foods, foods that are easy to spill, and anything that seems likely to make a mess in the back of your car.
- A Tray: A tray is a great idea for kids during road trips since it will allow them to eat certain types of food easier, as well as allowing them access to even more activities, like drawing and coloring.
We hope that this blog has helped give you some ideas on how to make your road trip a success! We at Kids’ Corner can’t wait to see you and your kids when you’re back and ready for daycare or for the new school year. Have fun, and call us at (480)-267-9419 (Mesa) or (480)-267-9427 (Gilbert) if you have any questions.
