Are you planning on loading the kids into the car and embarking on a big family road trip? It’s one of the greatest things you can do to create wonderful experiences and unforgettable memories, the magic of the open road awaits you! But, before you take off, here are a few tips to help make the journey go smoothly!
Prep The Car – Considering it will practically be your home for the next few days or weeks, it’s best to make sure everything is in good running order! Take it in for a tune-up and an oil change and see to it that the tyres are balanced, nothing ruins a road trip like a breakdown! Give the car a good wash and wax, and make sure the interior is clean, trash and odour-free. There’s no getting around the fact that at some points the kids will be dining as you drive, so be sure to install a car seat protector for car seatsbecause it takes just one good bump in the road to send soft drinks splashing and ketchup and fries flying! Installing a handy onboard rubbish bag is also going to help keep the mess to a minimum.
Load Up Plenty Of Snacks – There is something about the motion of the road that makes people hungry, especially kids, so be prepared with a picnic basket and cooler full of tasty, easy-to-eat and drink car snacks! Pack snacks that won’t make a big mess in the car, for example, don’t bring a bowl of salad, go with pre-sliced veggie sticks!Sandwiches are always a winner, but be sure to avoid the sticky, gooey kind like egg or tuna salad, and go with simple cold cuts and yummy cheese curds, or peanut butter and not too much jelly! Crisps and cookies are fun, but watch those crumbs! Best fruit for eating in the car? A banana, they come pre-wrapped and are easy to eat but throwing the peel out the window is not allowed!
Give Yourself Some Extra Time – It’s inevitable that delays are going to happen along the way, construction, traffic jams, and foul weather, so be sure to give yourself some extra time to get from Point A to Point B. If you have calculated that the night’s lodging will take four hours to reach give yourself five or six- if you arrive early no problem, it gives everyone some time to stretch their legs or maybe go for a swim in the hotel pool before dinner and bedtime! That option is a lot nicer than unloading a car full of sleepy, grouchy kids and marching them up to the room late at night! That extra time also gives you the option to make an unplanned stop or two along the way- if you happen to see something interesting out of the car window you can take a breather and have some time to check it out!
The main thing is to relax and not get too stressed out, things can go wrong, but stay calm and remember you are there to have fun, even when you hit a road bump it will probably make for a good story later!
