Taking your kids on a long car ride may be inevitable in many situations and it will likely produce some whining and crying. You can, however, take a few precautionary measures to avoid some major problems and help your kids pass the time in the car without too much trouble. Planning ahead and bringing along enough critical supplies is the best way to start planning on taking your kids on a road trip.



Pack the Right Stuff

You'll want to make sure that you've packed the right stuff for your trip, first and foremost. Give each child a special backpack or bag that contains items that they can use for the trip and some food for the voyage. Crayons, books, activity sets, sticker books, handheld games, and other goodies can be in each child's bag. This allows your children to pull out activities as they want and entertain themselves. These goodie bags are especially ideal if you are the lone driver during the road trip.

Pace the Journey

Make sure that you allow enough time for rest stops along the way. Kids will need to use the restroom and will need to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. You probably will need a bit of a break from driving, too, so set a pattern that you can follow throughout the trip in terms of rest stops. Take a break every two hours or so and stick to a good break schedule. This will help your kids anticipate the times of the stops.

Allow Time for Play

Along with the rest stops, try to stop in at a fun restaurant along the way that has playrooms or a playground facility. Many fast food restaurants can provide kids with entertaining playroom facilities that will help your kids get a break from the monotony of the road. You'll like it too, as you'll be able to relax with a cup of coffee and watch your kids play before you carry on with the car trip.

Snack It Up

Snacks are important, so make sure that you bring plenty of snack options that are healthy and exciting for your kids. Pack some crackers and some cheese or some fruit snacks and let your kids tear into them at their leisure. Including the snacks in the goodie bags is a good idea, but keep some more up front with you in case your kids get overly eager and finish their snacks before you've left your driveway. You can also choose to distribute snacks yourself, but this can get tricky if you are the one driving.

Don't Rush

The most critical thing about taking a road trip with kids is to not rush the trip. You don't want to set unreasonable goals and try to make it to your destination as quickly as possible, as this can lead to cranky children and unsafe driving habits. Instead, give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination and allow for all sorts of stops along the way. Too often, we forget to enjoy the journey of a good road trip and, instead, charge ahead to our destination. Take your time, relax and enjoy the time with your children.