8 surviving tips when going on a road trip with your kids

It’s almost summer time and families are starting to plan and discuss how to have that perfect summer getaway with the whole family.  We are just not talking about the accommodations and itinerary; we’re looking into that awesome road trip where everyone gets stuck with one another for more than 24 hours, cramped inside a moving car.

This long trips can be an excellent bonding experience, but it will at the same time test everyone’s patience and love for each other especially if we have kids involved. Younger children have a minimal supply of patience.

They get bored and restless easily. Unlike the older ones who can enjoy the scenery and keep themselves entertained, the little ones tend to get crankier as each minute passes by.

So to achieve that long-awaited long drive with the family, bear in mind that helping our kids survive means a greater chance of survival for every family member. Here are some helpful tips brought to you by Philkotse.com.

24 hours with 5 kids on a road trip

Tip #1: Start the road trip during the night

Get half of the needed miles done while the little ones are sleeping and snoring at the backseat. Going from one state to another is a lot of miles and with kids joining the trip, that ‘lots of miles’ get tripled every passing hour. It is a great idea to do half or even more of the trip driving through the night.

With this setup, the driver can focus all his or her energy on the road instead of having to deal with the emotional meltdown at the back seat or a little kid wanting to get out in the middle of nowhere. It will also serve as the moment of peace among adults to just talk and set the positive energy for the trip ahead.

Another reason why this is a survival tip is that it won’t just keep you sane, but it will also save you from those unplanned stops to buy snacks or meals.

Get half of the needed miles done while the little ones are sleeping and snoring at the backseat

Tip #2: Keep them entertained

Our little ones can’t appreciate the beauty of the neighborhood just yet so you need to prepare all sorts of distractions to keep them occupied for the whole trip. Different forms of entertainment can be new toys or their latest favorite toys.

Make sure you have those mess free educational activities to keep them entertained hopefully for an hour like the "Crayola Color Wonder Markers Mess Free Activity Set".

Another easy distraction would be the endless applications that can be installed on your mobile phones or tablets. Download their favorite cartoons or movies and make sure that your memory card is full of those child-friendly activities and applications.

Keep the boredom in the backseat at bay by letting them enjoy some gadget time. If you still want to limit their gadget time, opt for games like "I Spy", 20 questions, and encourage their imagination with a little storytelling.

Download their favorite cartoons or movies and make sure that your memory card is full of those child-friendly activities and applications

>>> Worth to note: Best in-car entertainment ideas to fight boredom while in a long drive

Tip #3: Stash on the snacks

What better way to pass the time than to eat right? And yes, snacking and road trips are almost always synonymous. A road trip wouldn’t be complete with indulging in those unhealthy junks but since we have kids joining us, then have those picnic provisions loaded with healthy snacks and low sugar beverages instead.

Go for those not so messy ones too. It is an inexpensive option rather than having to go through those fast food chains. To make the most out of the road trip, you can pick an excellent scenic spot and have a little picnic with the family.

It will allow you to stretch your legs and let the kids release some of the pent up energy of having been cooped inside the car for hours.

A road trip wouldn’t be complete with indulging in those unhealthy junks

Tip #4: Get them as comfortable as possible

Regardless of age, comfortable clothing and shoes are essential for any kind of trip. If the little guy is at his comfiest using his Star Wars PJs or the little girl on her pink princess tutu outfit, then let them be. Make sure that their outfits and their car seats are comfortable.

Remember that they don’t have a choice but to stay on their designated seats so make sure that all their security comforts are present including that comforting blankie or toy.

>>> View more:

• 4 tips for the best summer road trip ever
• Summer 2019: 10 essential car gadgets for your next road trips in the Philippines

Tip #5: Strategize the seating arrangement

It is recommended that even how cramped or how fully loaded your car is, always make sure that the seat next to your toddler is vacant. If you have two toddlers, then space in between them should be free. The rationale behind this is so one parent can quickly move to this allotted space if the little one is already uncontrollable and stressed out.

Do not make two bickering siblings seat next to each other either. If the need arises, this allotted space is meant for the parent to provide that comfort when needed.

Do not make two bickering siblings seat next to each other either

Tip #6: Include the kids to the plan

Yes, they are far too young to decide the logistics of the trip but getting the kiddos involved in as early as choosing the destination might get them excited and behaved because they are in a way invested in the family road trip. Lay down the cards of pre-approved choices and let them select which one they want to go to.

Involve them in packing their toys, books, and snacks. Ask the little ones what movie do they want to be saved on their tablets. Let them feel involved that everyone is on this road trip together and it takes every single family member to make it work.

Tip #7: Pack a lot of patience

Sometimes, it just happens. The little one has spent more gadget time than necessary, played I Spy and ate everything that is accessible but he wants out and wants to go home. This is where the stash up patience comes into play. This is where the parents’ love is tested.

This is when schedules are tweaked for a little fun in an unknown park or even an unplanned swim to that water park that has conveniently come into view. The patience to deal with the kiddies is the most critical among all survival tips and it is just not applicable in road trips but to everyday life with kids.

The patience to deal with the kiddies is the most critical among all survival tips 

>>> Click here for more useful tips and advice for smart driving.