Most Important for Road Trips: Entertainment!
The real happiness of a family lies in the joy of its members—don’t rely solely on modern tech for entertainment. Check out the tips below, and you’ll find yourself more attuned to your surroundings for an unforgettable journey.
1. Must-Haves: Bring along playing cards, sticker books, puzzle books, joke books, other reading materials, crayons, funny masks, and more—go eco-friendly if possible. When you've been on the road for a while, surprise the kids with little gifts. Watching their excitement as they open them upon getting back in the car is priceless.
2. Pack extra bags for toys that your kids have opened.
3. Create a sing-along playlist and sing together as a family.
4. Before hitting the road, look at a map with your kids. Maps help plan your trip and get you to where you want to go. Study the map carefully to see which spots interest you most, and plan your next stop or where to have lunch.
5. Happy kids get hungry fast—bring fruits like grapes and apples. Also pack bread, peanut butter, butter, jam, and favorite snacks like cookies. Bottled water and juice can be stored at rest stops. Pack these items in plastic utensils and clear plastic bags, and it’s best to refrigerate them. Don’t forget napkins, wet wipes, sandwich bags, survival gear, flashlight, and toilet paper.
To avoid travel hassles, check out these packing tips below
Whether it’s a long or short trip, traveling with the whole family is always a challenge. Before you empty your closets and toss suitcases into the trunk, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Plan your itinerary and what to bring based on your stops. For example, when visiting the Grand Canyon, pack one suitcase of clothes, and leave another at Sonoma. This makes unpacking and repacking much easier in case of sudden weather changes.
2. Encourage your kids to help with packing and planning the trip. They can have their own suitcase or backpack too.
3. Bring a large foldable bag for dirty laundry.
4. Try to use suitcases of different colors so they’re easy to identify.
5. Carry a spare backpack with essentials like a first aid kit, camera, tickets, and flashlight.
6. When getting out of the car, think about what you’ll need for the next leg of the journey. Always remember to lock the doors, park in a safe spot, and never leave valuables in the car.
7. Place larger items at the bottom and smaller ones on top.
8. Don’t be afraid to rearrange items—that’s how you make the best use of space.
Road Trip Survival Guide: Don’t Forget to Pack These Items
1. Facial tissues
2. Hand sanitizer
3. Baby wipes
4. Paper towel and cleaning wipes
5. Sandwich bags
6. Medications
7. Personal pillow
8. Phone number attached to your pet
9. Phone charger
10. Walking shoes
11. Insect repellent
12. Sunscreen
13. Sweater and waterproof jacket
14. Map
Also, don’t forget to fill up your car’s gas tank before you go. If you’re driving an electric vehicle, make sure it’s fully charged. Find out the locations of gas stations and charging stations in advance. Have a great trip!